Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week with 1 in 4 weekends
Salary: £29,000 – £34,000 DOE
Contract: Permanent

The Role
We're seeking a dedicated Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse to join a modern, independent small animal practice in Portsmouth. This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a leadership role, working closely with the Head Nurse to help drive efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement within the nursing team.

The role is varied, including consulting, inpatient care and surgical nursing, alongside mentoring and supporting colleagues. You'll need to be a team player with strong communication skills, a proactive approach, and a passion for delivering high standards of patient care.

Working Hours & Flexibility

• Full-time role: 40 hours per week

• Typical rota: 4 days per week, 9-hour shifts

• Weekend rota: 1 in 4

• Flexible working patterns can be considered to support work-life balance

About the Practice
This independent, family-owned veterinary group is the largest of its kind in the UK. The Portsmouth practice is purpose-built, bright, and spacious, equipped with modern facilities including:

• Two operating theatres

• Dental suite with handheld dental X-ray

• Digital X-ray suite

• Ultrasound

• Separate wards for dogs, cats and small animals

• Walk-in kennels and isolation unit

• In-house laboratory

• Multiparameter monitoring equipment

• A developing exotics caseload

The environment is designed to deliver excellent standards of care for patients, a positive experience for clients, and a supportive, rewarding workplace for the team.

The Team
You'll be joining a collaborative team of Veterinary Surgeons, RVNs, SVNs, VCAs and client care colleagues. The culture is progressive and supportive, with a strong focus on professional development, knowledge-sharing, and continuous learning.

What We're Looking For

• RCVS-registered Veterinary Nurse

• Previous leadership or senior nursing experience desirable

• Confident across a variety of nursing duties, including surgical, inpatient and consults

• Strong communication and organisational skills

• A positive, proactive team player

What's on Offer

• Salary £29,000 – £34,000 DOE

• Profit share bonus scheme

• CPD allowance with support for further qualifications

• Long service recognition

• Enhanced maternity pay

• Income protection

• Compassionate leave

• Overseas charity work opportunities

• Retail discounts and rewards

• Health & wellbeing support services

Location
Portsmouth is a vibrant coastal city offering a mix of seaside living, cultural attractions, and excellent transport links to London and across the South. It's a fantastic place to balance work and lifestyle, with beaches, the South Downs and a lively city centre all within easy reach.

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: 25-45492

📞 T: 0333 014 7374
📧 E: hello@vetseekers.co.uk
🌐 W: www.vetseekers.co.uk
💬 WhatsApp: 07542 919595

Your Privacy Matters – All conversations and applications are treated with the strictest confidence. As an ethical veterinary recruiter, we will never send your details anywhere without your permission.

Why Choose Vet Seekers?
Founded in 2016, Vet Seekers is a multi-award-winning specialist veterinary recruitment agency (2019–2025), acting as both an employment business and employment agency for locum and permanent veterinary roles across the UK and overseas.

• GDPR-compliant and ICO-registered
• Passionate about sustainability!
• Equal Opportunities Employer – We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities

Thanks from all of us at Vet Seekers – we look forward to supporting you!