At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a passionate nursing team while delivering top-notch patient care.
- Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to healthier animals and happier owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks' annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £550 CPD allowance.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with clear career progression and a supportive, values-led culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in veterinary care and shape the future of nursing within our practice.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Veterinary Nurse with leadership experience and strong clinical skills.
The predicted salary is between 33300 - 40700 £ per year.
At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners. We are seeking a knowledgeable, confident Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Walton Lodge Vets on a full-time basis. Founded in 2000 by Helen Lee BVSc, MRCVS and Rodney Pugh, Walton Lodge has grown into a trusted veterinary group with six surgeries across Bengeo, Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow, Hoddesdon, Stevenage and Ware. Proud to be RCVS-accredited, we’re committed to maintaining consistently high standards of clinical care across all our sites.
We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Registered Veterinary Nurse to step into a Head Nurse role, combining your strong clinical knowledge with a passion for leadership, team development and delivering excellent patient care. You’ll ideally have previous experience of leading or managing a team and enjoy supporting colleagues to develop their skills and confidence, including mentoring students and providing clinical coaching. This is a great opportunity for an experienced HVN or an established RVN who is ready to take the next step in their career and play a key role in supporting the nursing team, driving clinical standards and helping shape the day-to-day running of the practice.
Practice Highlights
- Joining 3 Veterinary Surgeons, 2 Registered Veterinary Nurses, 2 Student Veterinary Nurses, 3 Receptionists and 1 Veterinary Care Assistant
- Well-equipped with up-to-date facilities, including dental x-ray, ultrasound and orthopaedic theatre, allowing us to deliver a high standard of care and carry out a wide range of procedures in-house
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.
Working Pattern
40 hours per week, either work a 4 or 5-day week covering shifts between 7:30 am - 7:30 pm, 1:7 Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support the nursing team, including rota management and effective delegation of shift responsibilities
- Provide clinical coaching, mentoring and support to SVN students and developing nurses
- Work closely with veterinary surgeons to support clinical decision-making and the smooth day-to-day running of the practice
- Help coordinate the operational direction of the practice
- Take responsibility for nursing care across a varied first-opinion caseload, maintaining high clinical standards
- Support general health and safety, fire safety and compliance across the practice
- Contribute to the ongoing development of patient care and continuous improvement within the practice
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, team development and service improvement
- Structured leadership pathways through our dedicated Nurse Academy, empowering you to shape the future of nursing care within our practice
- Clear career development 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
- Additional annual leave for your birthday, which will be added to your holiday allowance
- Increasing annual leave accrued through 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
- 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 and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
Head Veterinary Nurse in Ware employer: Walton Lodge Vets - Ware
At Inspiring Vet Care, we prioritise our people and their professional growth, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about animal care. As a Head Veterinary Nurse at Walton Lodge Vets, you'll benefit from a collaborative work culture, structured leadership pathways through our Nurse Academy, and generous perks like 6.6 weeks' annual leave and a £550 CPD allowance. Join us in delivering high-quality patient care while enjoying a supportive environment that values continuous improvement and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Veterinary Nurse in Ware
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We think you need these skills to ace Head Veterinary Nurse in Ware
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Head Veterinary Nurse at Walton Lodge Vets - Ware, 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 at Walton Lodge Vets - Ware. 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 Walton Lodge Vets - Ware will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walton Lodge Vets - Ware
✨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.
