At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a dynamic nursing team while delivering high-quality patient care.
- Company: Join the Lake View Veterinary Group, part of IVC Evidensia, the UK's leading veterinary care group.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks' annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £550 CPD allowance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with clear career pathways and ongoing professional development.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role and make a real impact in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: RCVS registered Veterinary Nurse with strong clinical and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 40000 £ per year.
Here at the Lake View Veterinary Group, we’re looking for a knowledgeable, confident Head Veterinary Nurse to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Our group is composed of 3 surgeries in Northamptonshire. We are a 100% small animal practice with a varied caseload. The practices have all the equipment you will need: ultrasound with colour, digital x-ray, full in-house Idexx laboratory, gold standard anaesthesia using Humphrey ADE circuits, multiparameter monitors, patient warming, oxygen generators and more. Our team comprises 5 vets and 8 nurses plus dedicated support team members. Based primarily at our main Thrapston branch, this is an exciting opportunity to step into a leadership role within a growing practice. This role combines clinical nursing with leadership and administrative duties to ensure the smooth running of the nursing function across the Lake View Group.
IVC Evidensia is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of happier animals, happier owners. At IVC Evidensia, we believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment-at every stage of their career.
How You’ll Make a Difference
As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high‑quality patient and client care. You’ll be responsible for setting and maintaining nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement activity, and developing a capable, confident nursing team. Working closely with the wider practice leadership team, you'll play a key role in shaping culture, performance and ways of working.
The shift pattern is 08:30-19:00 four days per week, along with no more than 1 in 3 Saturday mornings (with time off in lieu provided), primarily at Thrapston with some cover at our Rushden practice as well.
General responsibilities include:
- Lead and support the nursing team across multiple sites, ensuring high clinical standards
- Manage nursing rotas and contribute to the smooth day‑to‑day running of the practice
- Deliver high standards of nursing care across a varied caseload
- Support surgical procedures, including anaesthesia monitoring and theatre nursing
You Might Be a Great Fit If...
- Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
- Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills
- Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams
- Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
- Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills
How We’ll Support You
- A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards and team development
- Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider practice leadership roles
- Ongoing learning and development to support leadership, governance and strategic growth
- A collaborative, values‑led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
What We Offer Our Team
- 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
- Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
- Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee wellbeing initiatives including Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
- £550 CPD allowance plus 24hrs paid leave
- Certificate support
- RCVS and VDS fees covered
- Pension scheme
- Discounted veterinary care
- Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you - including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
- Up to £37,000 DOE
Head Veterinary Nurse - Fixed Term Contract employer: Lake View Veterinary Centre
At Lake View Veterinary Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of our team. As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will benefit from clear career pathways, ongoing learning opportunities, and a generous benefits package including 6.6 weeks' annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £550 CPD allowance. Join us in Thrapston, where you can make a meaningful impact in a thriving small animal practice while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Lake View Veterinary Centre Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Veterinary Nurse - Fixed Term Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to veterinary nursing. We recommend role-playing with a friend or mentor to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in mentoring and developing teams, as this is key for the Head Veterinary Nurse role. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved patient care or team performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team at Lake View Veterinary Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Veterinary Nurse - Fixed Term Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Head Veterinary Nurse role. Highlight your leadership experience and clinical skills, as these are key for us at Lake View Veterinary Group.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about veterinary nursing and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight any previous leadership or mentoring roles you've had. We want to see how you can inspire and develop others in a clinical setting.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Lake View Veterinary Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lake View Veterinary Centre
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your clinical knowledge and leadership skills. Familiarise yourself with the latest veterinary practices, especially in anaesthesia and surgical procedures, as well as the specific equipment used at Lake View Veterinary Group.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed nursing teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you improved clinical standards or mentored a colleague, as this will demonstrate your capability to take on a senior role.
✨Understand the Practice Culture
Research IVC Evidensia's values and culture. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their mission of happier animals and owners, and how you align with their focus on continuous improvement and community involvement.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the role and the practice. Inquire about their approach to clinical governance and quality improvement, or how they support ongoing learning and development for their staff. This shows your genuine interest in the position and the organisation.
