Head Nurse

Head Nurse

Location: Saffron Walden

Hours: 38 hours (1 in 8 weekends)

Salary: Competitive + vet fees paid + bonus

We are looking for a Head Nurse to join our team at Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons in Saffron Walden.

With over 40 years of heritage and a trusted reputation across Essex, we combine high-quality veterinary care with strong community relationships and a supportive team environment. You'll be joining a well-established practice where colleagues are encouraged to develop, collaborate and deliver outstanding care to pets and their owners.

As part of Kin Vet Community, a small collective of like-minded community veterinary practices, we benefit from the support, shared expertise and collaborative approach that comes from working alongside teams who share our commitment to exceptional veterinary care. Whilst every practice retains its own culture, leadership and way of working, being part of Kin Vet creates greater opportunities to learn from one another, invest in our people and facilities, and continue evolving the services we provide to pets and their owners.

The Role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced RVN ready to take the next step into a leadership role, or for an existing leader seeking a new challenge within a supportive network.

Our Head Nurses are an important part of our practice leadership teams and are given a significant degree of autonomy to work with their Clinical Director to shape their practices in a way that works for their team, their patients, and their local communities. They also participate in our quarterly Leadership Meetings, which gather together Clinical Directors, Head Nurse and Practice Managers from across our group to help shape our clinical and operational direction as a group.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing the nursing team, consisting of Registered Veterinary Nurses, Student Veterinary Nurses, and Patient Care Assistants, and building a positive culture that supports and encourages every member.
• Developing and maintaining high, evidence-based clinical standards of nursing care across the practice, including clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, in consultation with the Clinical Director.
• Participating in all aspects of the nursing rota, including consultations, anaesthetics, theatre, and inpatient care.
• Managing the clinical aspects of practice operations, such as anaesthetic and surgical equipment, surgical instruments, laboratory equipment, and pharmacy stock, in consultation with the Clinical Director.
• Providing mentorship and clinical guidance to the nursing team, including as a Clinical Coach when needed, and manging their ongoing CPD and training.
• Advising the Clinical Director on the practice’s strategic direction as a business, helping to strengthen its commercial performance and improve its operational efficiency.

About You:

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) experienced in small animal general practice.
• Confident in a range of different nursing contexts, including consulting, theatre, and inpatient care.
• Excellent communication and team-building skills.
• Passionate about clinical excellence and team development.
• Previous leadership and mentoring experience, including as a Clinical Coach, is preferred.
• Previous experience with the business side of a veterinary practice is an advantage.
• If you are an ambitious and motivated RVN looking to lead a supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.