Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Hours per week: 35 (flexible and part-time arrangements can be discussed and mutually agreed, with administrative responsibilities adjusted proportionally).

Salary: up to £40,880 pa (FTE), dependant on experience.

Closing date for applications: We will interview on a rolling basis; interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to end the vacancy prior to the closing date.

First interviews are held over Microsoft Teams on a rolling basis. Candidates successful at first interview will be invited to visit Mayhew for a formal in‑person interview.

Are you looking for a different sort of role? One where you can positively impact the welfare of dogs, cats and their owners? Every dog and cat in need deserves expert, personalised care and support, and to be loved. When you work for Mayhew, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of c80 staff and c200 volunteers, here for dogs, cats and communities in the UK, in Georgia and in Tunisia.

We offer expert veterinary care, rescue and rehoming services, programmes in the community and guidance and support to improve the lives of dogs and cats in need. We have had a community vet clinic on site at our historic North West London shelter since 1925. For over 100 years, our London clinic has delivered many tens of thousands of treatments to dogs and cats and supported their owners with low‑cost veterinary interventions and clinical advice they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford.

Since March 2022, we have been proud to provide our preventative veterinary treatments free of charge, and without judgment, to those who are unable to afford it and who have no recourse to another reputable provider. At Mayhew, dogs and cats in need come through the doors of our shelter and community vet clinic every day.

In our modern and well‑equipped community vet clinic, including x‑ray and dental x‑ray machine, ultrasounds, ECG, in‑house lab and two surgical suits, we provide a wide range of surgeries and treatments for the Mayhew animals in our care. We also provide a limited range of preventative veterinary care treatments including annual health checks, neutering, vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping, dentals and advice and support.

Our clinic is RCVS accredited and we are a training centre for veterinary students at the University of Surrey. Our clinic operates 6‑days a week, looking after outpatients in addition to the animals in our care at the shelter; the clinic is open to the public Monday to Saturday.

When fully staffed, our clinic team is made up of a Head of Clinic, 2.6 FTE vet surgeons, 1.0 FTE Head RVN, 2.6 FTE RVNs and a full‑time Clinic Receptionist. Our RVNs usually work 35 hours per week between the hours of 8am and 5pm with usual shifts being Monday to Friday. We would require flexibility from time to time to cover weekends and bank holidays, and out of office hours in the event of an emergency. A share of the on‑call rota is required, this averages about five nights a month which is paid as overtime. CPD is funded and encouraged.

We offer a caring and supportive team, lots of variety and the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of dogs and cats and pet owners who rely on us.

We are looking for a Head Nurse who is a qualified RVN with 5 years + PQE, ideally experienced in shelter medicine, who shares our compassion and commitment for animal welfare. The Head Nurse will bring inspirational, progressive and collaborative leadership to our team of nurses and clinic receptionist.

Generally, you will:

• Be responsible for the day‑to‑day smooth running of the clinic.
• Support the Head of Clinic to enable us to grow our reach and deepen our impact.
• Manage and develop our team of nurses, animal carers and clinic receptionist.

To be successful in this role, you need:

• To be a listed member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with at least 5 years+ post qualification experience.
• Have a passion for animal welfare and improving the lives of dogs and cats who need us the most.
• Experience leading, line managing and developing a high performing team.

Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post‑job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this post early, should we receive a high volume of applications.