At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a passionate veterinary nursing team while ensuring top-notch patient care.
- Company: Join a progressive and friendly veterinary hospital with over 25 years in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, private medical insurance, and CPD opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a well-equipped environment with excellent career growth and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a Registered Veterinary Nurse with leadership experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 £ per year.
We are a progressive, friendly, and well-established veterinary hospital committed to delivering exceptional patient care and outstanding client service. Our team is supportive, collaborative, and passionate about what we do. We are looking for an experienced Head Veterinary Nurse to join us on a maternity cover contract and help maintain our high standards during this period.
Role
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll guide and support the nursing team, oversee daily clinical operations, and ensure the smooth running of the practice. You’ll work closely with the wider leadership team to uphold clinical excellence and a positive working environment.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and support the nursing team
- Manage rotas, workflow and day-to-day clinical operations
- Maintain and develop high standards of patient care
- Support training, CPD and performance development
- Ensure compliance with RCVS standards and practice protocols
- Participate in clinical duties including anaesthesia, inpatient care and nurse clinics
About you
You’ll be confident, organised, and passionate about veterinary nursing, with a natural ability to motivate and support others.
Essential requirements
- Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
- Experience in a senior or leadership nursing role
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Commitment to high clinical standards and patient welfare
Join a practice you are proud to be a part of. Our small-animal Veterinary Hospital is situated in the town of Portishead, and we have been at the heart of the community for over 25 years. Portishead is in North Somerset on the Severn Estuary, less than 10 miles west of Bristol. We are Portishead’s only veterinary hospital with a team of vets and qualified nurses who are available 24/7 with round-the-clock on-site care. We have a certificate holder in ECC, and we have vets at various stages of certificates in medicine, exotics and surgery. We offer a high standard of patient care in a clean and professional working environment, and we are proud to have consistently achieved Tier 3 Hospital Status.
We are well equipped with various diagnostic and clinical tools, including laparoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasonography, digital radiography (including dental radiography), in-house laboratory, multi-parameter monitoring equipment, and much more! We have been awarded Gold in the ICC cat-friendly clinic award, and the hospital has separate cat and dog waiting rooms for clients, separate inpatient wards for cats/dogs/isolation, and dedicated consulting times during the week for cat-only appointments.
Vale Vets is committed not only to treating illness but also preventing it, and so we run a proactive Nurse Clinic service, advising owners on preventative health care and nutrition, and offering services such as 2nd vaccinations, weight consultations and senior health checks. We have our own health care plan, which is regularly reviewed to promote the best options for preventative health care.
Running alongside the hospital are our branch practices in Clevedon and Pill. Clevedon is open weekdays running Vet and Nurse consultations as well as surgical procedures. Pill is supporting the local community with Vet consultations in the afternoons on weekdays. All OOH work and hospital inpatients are managed at the Portishead hospital. The hospital is also home to a fully equipped dog grooming salon, run by our qualified Dog Groomer.
Working pattern
This role covers 40 hours per week over 5 days. There is a weekend rota and we offer time off in lieu for weekends worked. Bank holidays are also worked on a rota basis, typically one per year per nurse.
Because our people matter
We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from:
- Work-life balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays; increasing holiday allowance based on length of service; your birthday as a paid day off
- Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline; Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay; Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
- Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave pro rata; Certificate support; Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy; Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider; All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding; Infection Prevention and Control Programme; Quality Improvement Programme
- Professional Memberships: VDS cover; RCVS fees
- Colleague Benefits: Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well; Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria; Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you; Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers; Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
Head Veterinary Nurse (Maternity Cover) - Small Animal in Bristol employer: Vale Vets, Portishead
Join our progressive and friendly veterinary hospital in Portishead, where we prioritise exceptional patient care and outstanding client service. As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you'll thrive in a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth, with generous benefits including 6.6 weeks of annual leave, a £550 CPD allowance, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Experience the unique advantage of working in a Tier 3 Hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team passionate about animal health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Veterinary Nurse (Maternity Cover) - Small Animal in Bristol
✨Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
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We think you need these skills to ace Head Veterinary Nurse (Maternity Cover) - Small Animal in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Head Veterinary Nurse (Maternity Cover) - Small Animal at Vale Vets, Portishead, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Head Veterinary Nurse (Maternity Cover) - Small Animal at Vale Vets, Portishead. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like Vale Vets, Portishead will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vale Vets, Portishead
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
