Permanent Head Veterinary Nurse – Slough, Berkshire

Are you an experienced and RCVS-registered veterinary nurse looking to take the next step in your career? This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established small animal practice in Berkshire as Head Veterinary Nurse, offering a competitive salary of up to £35,000 and excellent professional development prospects.

The practice is seeking a confident, compassionate, and motivated nurse with proven experience in small animal practice. The successful candidate will take on a leadership position within the nursing team, ensuring high clinical standards while supporting and mentoring colleagues. You will play a key role in all areas of nursing, from anaesthesia and inpatient care to assisting in surgery and running nurse clinics. A proactive approach to clinical work and team development is essential, as well as a commitment to delivering outstanding care to patients and their owners.

This is a full-time role based on a four-day working week, with participation in a 1 in 6 weekend rota at the branch hospital. There are no out-of-hours or on-call requirements, providing an excellent work-life balance.

The practice prides itself on maintaining a high standard of veterinary care and fostering an environment where staff are encouraged to develop their skills and progress within their careers. With access to advanced facilities including MRI, CT, and state-of-the-art surgical theatres at the group's referral hospital, you will have the opportunity to utilise your nursing expertise to its fullest.

Key details

• Type: Small animal practice
• Hours: Full time, 4 days per week
• Weekends: 1 in 6
• OOH: None
• Branch work: Yes, at weekends
• Consultations: 15 minutes
• System: Freedom
• Team: Large veterinary team with strong non-clinical support

The practice offers a supportive, forward-thinking environment and invests heavily in the ongoing development of its staff. You will benefit from in-house training opportunities, career progression pathways, and access to the latest diagnostic technology.

Candidate requirements

• RCVS-registered veterinary nurse
• Strong background in all aspects of small animal nursing
• Demonstrable leadership skills with the ability to inspire and support colleagues
• Confident in anaesthesia, inpatient care, theatre work, and nurse-led clinics
• Motivated, compassionate, and committed to providing excellent patient care
• Keen to pursue further training and professional development
• Excellent communication and client care skills
• Adaptable, reliable, and a strong team player

Facilities available
Fully equipped practice with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities including digital X-ray, in-house laboratory, dentistry services, neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, nurse clinics, and home visits. Access to advanced imaging and specialist equipment is available at the nearby referral hospital.

Package

• Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Holidays: 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
• CPD: £750 allowance with 2 days' paid leave
• Memberships: RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Pension: Workplace pension scheme provided
• Additional benefits: Access to training and development platform, employee assistance programme, attendance bonus schemes, internal training opportunities, and exclusive staff discounts and rewards

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious veterinary nurse to step into a senior role, taking on greater responsibility within a supportive and progressive practice environment.

Must Haves

RCVS Registered (or soon to be)
Possess the right to work in the United Kingdom
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

What Happens Next?

CLICK APPLY NOW or if you have any questions before applying, or if this role isn't quite right for you, feel free to contact the Vet Seekers team to chat through your veterinary career aspirations in confidence.

Quote job reference: 25-45288

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