Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Are you an experienced RVN ready to take the next step in your career without stepping away from the nursing you love? We’re looking for a passionate, confident Head RVN to join our busy Irvine practice.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who genuinely loves veterinary nursing, enjoys working in a busy small animal environment and wants to make a difference to both patients and colleagues.

The Role

As Head RVN, you’ll work alongside the nursing team every day, leading by example while continuing to nurse clinically yourself.
You’ll help develop and inspire the team, encourage colleagues to achieve their potential and bring ideas for improving the practice. You’ll need to be an excellent multitasker, happy to step in and support colleagues when needed and confident having challenging conversations in a professional and constructive way.

We’re looking for someone who is kind, approachable and team-focused, but also confident enough to lead, challenge and drive positive change.

Most importantly, you’ll need to be genuinely passionate about nursing and the veterinary industry. We want someone who will become part of our team, rather than simply manage it.

About Us

We have three practices across Ayrshire, led by four partners — two vets, an RVN and a practice manager. Our 60-strong team is committed to excellent clinical care and an exceptional client experience.

We’re a close-knit, supportive team who genuinely have each other’s backs. We value open communication, respect, work-life balance and individual needs.
Across our practices, we have:

• 15 Vets
• 13 RVNs
• 3 VCAs
• 3 SVNs
• 3 GPD-trained Clinical Lead Vets
• 3 Clinical Coach RVNs

Our nurses have specialist interests including acupuncture, pain management, behaviour and Schedule 3 surgical procedures, and you’ll have support from our Head Nurses, Senior Nurses, Clinical Coaches and RVN Business Partner.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be:

• A qualified RVN, ideally with experience in a busy small animal practice
• Passionate about nursing and committed to your clinical career
• A confident, hands-on leader who leads by example
• Positive, compassionate and supportive
• Comfortable multitasking and working in a fast-paced environment
• Confident developing others and having difficult conversations when needed
• Open to new ideas and positive change
• Someone who genuinely enjoys being part of a team

You don’t need previous Head RVN experience, if you’re ready for the next step and have the right attitude, passion and leadership potential, we’d love to hear from you.

What We Offer

• Salary up to £36,000, depending on experience
• Relocation/Welcome Bonus for direct candidates
• 30–40 hours per week, with full or part-time options
• 1:4 Saturday rota and no OOH
• Generous CPD allowance and paid CPD days
• Professional fees paid
• AXA private healthcare, extendable to family
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Income protection and pension
• Excellent clinical equipment including multiparameter monitors, fluid pumps, BP monitors and ultrasound
• Support across all three practices
• Staff discounts, including 20% off Pets at Home and the Vet Group

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re an experienced RVN who still loves nursing and is ready to lead, inspire and develop a fantastic team, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and let’s start a conversation.

We take our inspiration from pets in embracing people from all walks of life, and we value, respect and celebrate difference. We encourage our people to be their best selves so that we can create a better world for Pets, our Planet, and People. Our ambition is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and we are intentional in addressing and removing barriers to create opportunities for the exceptional talent and potential in our communities. Even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!