At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead theatre operations while staying hands-on with clinical work.
- Company: Join a top-tier veterinary referral centre with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, structured weekdays, and clear career progression.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic environment with no weekends or out-of-hours.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in patient care and team performance.
- Qualifications: Must be an RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse with 2-3 years experience.
The predicted salary is between 39500 - 39500 £ per year.
Location: North Downs Specialist Referrals
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Salary: Starting salary up to £39,500 per annum, depending on experience.
Why Apply for This Role?
Step into a senior RVN leadership role where you can take full ownership of theatre operations while staying hands-on clinically. This is an opportunity to lead within a large, specialist referral hospital, working alongside experienced clinicians and a highly skilled nursing team. You’ll have a structured weekday schedule with no weekends or out-of-hours, clear progression pathways, and the chance to directly influence patient care, team performance, and theatre efficiency. If you’re looking to move into a leadership position without stepping away from clinical work, this role offers the right balance of responsibility, development, and support.
About Us
North Downs Specialist Referrals is an internationally recognised, RCVS-accredited veterinary referral centre, providing advanced medical and surgical care across multiple disciplines. You will be working alongside one of the largest groups of veterinary specialists in the UK and Europe and supported by a team of over 60 Registered Veterinary Nurses. Specialisms include surgery, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia and more. Our Nursing Pathways programme is designed to support RVNs at every stage of their career, offering structured development, leadership opportunities, and continued clinical progression.
The Role
This is a full-time permanent position (40 hours per week): Monday to Friday: 8:00am–17:00pm. No weekends, no out-of-hours. As Lead Theatre Supervisor, you will play a key role in managing the day-to-day running of theatre while supporting and leading the nursing team. You will be responsible for coordinating workflow, maintaining high clinical standards, and ensuring efficient patient throughput across departments. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to an experienced RVN who thrives in a fast-paced referral environment.
Your Role and Responsibilities:
- Lead the day-to-day organisation of the theatre department, including case scheduling and team coordination.
- Plan and allocate staffing resources effectively across shifts, adapting to changes in workload.
- Maintain and drive high standards of patient care in line with professional and practice expectations.
- Act as a visible, supportive leader within the theatre team, providing guidance and clinical support.
- Proactively manage and resolve operational, staffing, and clinical challenges during shifts.
- Coordinate patient flow through effective communication with Wards, Diagnostics, Reception, and Bookings.
- Ensure theatre areas are maintained to a high clinical and hygiene standard.
- Oversee downtime effectively, ensuring cleaning, maintenance, and organisation tasks are completed.
About You
We are looking for a motivated and experienced RVN ready to step into a leadership role.
Requirements:
- RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse.
- Minimum 2–3 years’ experience within a multidisciplinary referral practice.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Confident working in a fast-paced clinical environment.
- High attention to detail and commitment to clinical excellence.
- Proactive, solutions-focused approach.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple teams.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- Professional and compassionate approach at all times.
- Right to work in the UK.
Lead Theatre Supervisor employer: VCA Inc.
At North Downs Specialist Referrals, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture. As a Lead Theatre Supervisor, you will enjoy a structured weekday schedule with no weekends or out-of-hours, allowing for a healthy work-life balance while leading a skilled team in a state-of-the-art facility. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our Nursing Pathways programme, which offers clear progression opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care and team performance.
