Head Veterinary Nurse Job in Crawley | £35k–£40k DOE

12-Month Maternity Cover | Full-Time | Leadership Opportunity

Are you an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse ready to take the next step into a leadership role? This is an excellent opportunity for a Head Veterinary Nurse to lead and support a dedicated nursing team in Crawley, West Sussex, on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

Combining hands-on clinical nursing with team leadership, training and practice organisation, this role would suit an approachable and organised RVN who is passionate about high standards of patient care and developing others.

The Role

• Full-time position working 40 hours per week.
• 8-hour shifts.
• 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, running from February 2027 to February 2028.
• Maximum 1:4 weekend rota, with time off in lieu.
• Shared bank holiday cover, with enhanced compensation.
• A varied mix of clinical nursing and administrative responsibilities.
• Leading and supporting the veterinary nursing and patient care assistant teams.

As Head Veterinary Nurse, you'll play a key role in maintaining high clinical standards, supporting the day-to-day running of the practice and creating a positive working environment for the wider team.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, supervising and supporting the nursing team, including appraisals, one-to-ones and staff development.
• Coordinating staff rotas, annual leave and sickness cover.
• Supporting recruitment, induction and ongoing training.
• Organising team meetings and working closely with the wider leadership team.
• Maintaining clinical protocols, standard operating procedures and compliance standards.
• Supporting student veterinary nurse training and work experience placements.
• Assisting with clinical audits, stock control and equipment maintenance.
• Ensuring high standards of health and safety, infection control and waste management.
• Undertaking clinical nursing duties, including supporting anaesthesia, inpatient care and general nursing.

Modern Facilities

You'll work within a modern veterinary hospital with facilities designed to support a varied caseload and high standards of patient care.

Equipment and facilities include:

• Two surgical theatres with laparoscopic equipment.
• Dedicated dental suite with dental X-ray.
• Digital X-ray suite.
• Siemens CT scanner.
• In-house laboratory facilities.
• Separate species-specific waiting areas, consultation rooms and wards for feline, canine and exotic patients.
• Modern inpatient, surgical and diagnostic facilities.

About You

To be considered for this Head Veterinary Nurse job, you'll need:

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
• Strong clinical nursing skills and knowledge of anaesthesia, inpatient care and nursing best practice.
• Experience in leadership, supervision or training.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• A calm, supportive approach and the ability to work well under pressure.
• A genuine commitment to patient welfare and high standards of clinical care.

Previous experience managing a larger nursing team, relevant certificates in areas such as anaesthesia, ECC or leadership, and experience with RCVS Practice Standards Scheme inspections would be advantageous.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary of £35,360–£39,770 FTE, depending on experience.
• 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract.
• Five weeks' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• RCVS and VDS memberships paid.
• Generous CPD budget to support your professional development.
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks, with lunch provided on Saturdays.
• Time off in lieu for weekend working.
• Enhanced compensation for bank holiday shifts.

Location

This Head Veterinary Nurse vacancy is based in Crawley, West Sussex, with access to the surrounding areas of Sussex and Surrey, including Horley and East Grinstead.

Why Apply?

This is a great opportunity for an experienced RVN to develop their leadership skills while making a real difference to a veterinary nursing team. You'll have the chance to combine clinical work with team development, training and practice organisation, supported by modern facilities and opportunities for continued professional development.

If you're an RVN looking for a Head Veterinary Nurse position in Crawley, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

Apply Now

For further information or to discuss this opportunity confidentially, get in touch.

Angel Mason, Recruitment Consultant
angel.mason@gvcvets.com
01392 793153