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Lead and support the nursing team across multiple sites, ensuring high clinical standards
Manage nursing rotas and contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the practice
Deliver high standards of nursing care across a varied caseload
Support surgical procedures, including anaesthesia monitoring and theatre nursing
Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills
Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams
Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills
A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards and team development
Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider practice leadership roles
Ongoing learning and development to support leadership, governance and strategic growth
A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
Private Medical Insurance
Employee wellbeing initiatives including - Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
£550 CPD allowance plus 24hrs paid leave
Certificate support
RCVS and VDS fees covered
Pension scheme
Discounted veterinary care
Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you - including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
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Head Veterinary Nurse - Fixed Term Contract
Lake View Vets, Thrapston, Thrapston, East Midlands
Discipline: Small Animal
Full Time
DOE
Here at the Lake View Veterinary Group, we’re looking for a knowledgeable, confident Head Veterinary Nurse to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
Our group is composed of 3 surgeries in Northamptonshire. We are a 100% small animal practice with a varied caseload. The practices have all the equipment you will need: ultrasound with colour, digital x-ray, full in-house Idexx laboratory, gold standard anaesthesia using Humphrey ADE circuits, multiparameter monitors, patient warming, oxygen generators and more. Our team comprises 5 vets and 8 nurses plus dedicated support team members.
Based primarily at our main Thrapston branch, this is an exciting opportunity to step into a leadership role within a growing practice. This role combines clinical nursing with leadership and administrative duties to ensure the smooth running of the nursing function across the Lake View Group.
IVC Evidensia is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of happier animals, happier owners.
At IVC Evidensia, we believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment—at every stage of their career.
How You’ll Make a Difference
As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient and client care.
You’ll be responsible for setting and maintaining nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement activity, and developing a capable, confident nursing team. Working closely with the wider practice leadership team, you'll play a key role in shaping culture, performance and ways of working.
The shift pattern is 08:30-19:00 four days per week, along with no more than 1 in 3 Saturday mornings (with time off in lieu provided), primarily at Thrapston with some cover at our Rushden practice as well.
General responsibilities include:
Manage nursing rotas and contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the practice
Deliver high standards of nursing care across a varied caseload
Support surgical procedures, including anaesthesia monitoring and theatre nursing
You Might Be a Great Fit If...
You are an experienced and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong leadership capability and a passion for clinical excellence. You'll bring:
How We’ll Support You
At IVC Evidensia, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
What We Offer Our Team
Lake View Vets, Thrapston
Top Close, Thrapston, NN14 4PP, United Kingdom
Animals treated
Dogs, cats & small pets
Exotic Friendly
Rabbit Friendly
Chicken Friendly
At IVC Evidensia we are a committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.
Any questions before applying?
Speak to Elliott Burgin from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.