Head Veterinary Nurse - Hertfordshire

Head Registered Veterinary Nurse – Small Animal Practice

Hertfordshire
Salary £32,000–£35,000 DOE
Full-time or Part-time | Leadership Role

A friendly and well-established small animal practice in Hertfordshire is seeking a Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to join its close-knit team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced RVN looking to step into a leadership role within a supportive environment that values nursing input, career progression, and work–life balance.

The Practice

This purpose-built practice serves a loyal client base with a high proportion of insured pets and prides itself on delivering high standards of patient and client care. Facilities include:

• Separate dog, cat, and isolation wards
• Digital X-ray and ultrasound
• In-house laboratory with microscopy
• Capnography and pulse oximetry
• Dedicated sterile theatre

Appointments are structured to allow high-quality care, with extended consult times for non-routine cases. The caseload is varied, and visiting specialists regularly attend the practice to perform advanced procedures, giving nurses exposure to a broad range of clinical work.

The Team

The team is small, friendly, and collaborative, with nurses playing a central role in the day-to-day running of the practice. Clinical leadership is supportive and experienced, with a strong focus on mentoring, development, and maintaining a positive team culture.

The Role

As Head RVN, the successful candidate will play a key role in both clinical work and team leadership.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the day-to-day running of the clinical nursing team
• Acting as a role model and mentor to RVNs and VCAs
• Supporting nurse-led clinics, theatre work, inpatient care, and diagnostics
• Developing individual interests within the nursing team
• Involvement in training, appraisals, and clinical audits
• Supporting workflow, organisation, and clinical standards

Working Pattern

• Full-time or part-time hours available
• Two weekday shifts:
  • 8:45am–5:15pm
  • 10:45am–7:15pm
• 1 in 3 Saturdays (9:00am–1:00pm), paid or taken as time off in lieu
• No out-of-hours work

The Ideal Candidate

• RCVS-registered Veterinary Nurse
• Experience in a leadership or senior nursing role preferred
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Passionate about patient care, team development, and high clinical standards
• Interested in the business and operational side of practice
• Motivational, supportive, and approachable leader

What’s On Offer

• Salary £32,000–£35,000 DOE
• Welcome bonus payable following successful probation
• Paid professional fees
• Funded and encouraged CPD
• Pension scheme
• Contribution towards private healthcare
• Retail and lifestyle discounts
• Supportive environment with clear progression opportunities

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Head RVN seeking autonomy, leadership responsibility, and the chance to shape and develop a nursing team within a welcoming Hertfordshire practice that truly values its nurses.

TA33660