Location: Saffron Walden, Essex

Job Type: Full or Part-time, Permanent.

At A Glance

What: This role involves leading the nursing team in a busy first opinion hub practice, working with the Clinical Director and Practice Manager to improve clinical standards and enhance client care.

Where: Mercer & Hughes is a well-established group of small animal practices with a hub in Saffron Walden and branches in Great Dunmow, Stanstead and Bocking.

Who: We’re looking for a confident Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with experience in mentoring and leadership who can build strong relationships with both colleagues and clients.

Why: Set in the beautiful market town of Saffron Walden, the practice provides a high level of on-site care to its clients, including orthopaedic and laparoscopic surgery, advanced diagnostic procedures, and inpatient care.

About Us

Mercer & Hughes is a well-established group of small animal veterinary clinics, with three branches in Great Dunmow, Bocking, and Stanstead all feeding into the hub in Saffron Walden. The four practices work hand in hand to provide exceptional care to their clients and patients, with the three branches providing routine first opinion care, and the hub providing advanced surgery (including orthopaedic and laparoscopic procedures), advanced medical workups and round-the-clock inpatient care.

As part of a growing group of veterinary practices, we’re dedicated to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where both our clients and team members thrive.

We are seeking a Head Nurse to lead the nursing team, improve standards of care from consulting room to operating theatre, and support the continued growth and success of the practice.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced RVN ready to take the next step into a leadership role, or for an existing leader seeking a new challenge within a supportive network.

Our Head Nurses are an important part of our practice leadership teams and are given a significant degree of autonomy to work with their Clinical Director to shape their practices in a way that works for their team, their patients, and their local communities. They also participate in our quarterly Leadership Meetings, which gather together Clinical Directors, Head Nurse and Practice Managers from across our group to help shape our clinical and operational direction as a group.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing the nursing team, consisting of Registered Veterinary Nurses, Student Veterinary Nurses, and Patient Care Assistants, and building a positive culture that supports and encourages every member.

• Developing and maintaining high, evidence-based clinical standards of nursing care across the practice, including clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, in consultation with the Clinical Director.

• Participating in all aspects of the nursing rota, including consultations, anaesthetics, theatre, and inpatient care.

• Managing the clinical aspects of practice operations, such as anaesthetic and surgical equipment, surgical instruments, laboratory equipment, and pharmacy stock, in consultation with the Clinical Director.

• Providing mentorship and clinical guidance to the nursing team, including as a Clinical Coach when needed, and manging their ongoing CPD and training.

• Advising the Clinical Director on the practice’s strategic direction as a business, helping to strengthen its commercial performance and improve its operational efficiency.

About You

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) experienced in small animal general practice.

• Confident in a range of different nursing contexts, including consulting, theatre, and inpatient care.

• Excellent communication and team-building skills.

• Passionate about clinical excellence and team development.

• Previous leadership and mentoring experience, including as a Clinical Coach, is preferred.

• Previous experience with the business side of a veterinary practice is an advantage.

If you are an ambitious and motivated RVN looking to lead a supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.

Part-time candidates (minimum 3 days per week) are welcome to apply.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £35,000 (pro-rata).

• Additional scaling bonus, dependent on practice’s financial performance.

• Generous CPD allowance, including support for certificate study.

• RCVS fees & VDS cover paid by practice.

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro rata).

• Private medical insurance, including cover for pre-existing medical conditions.

• 15 days occupation sick leave (pro-rata).

• Enhanced pension contributions.

• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave.

• Generous colleague discount scheme for up to 5 registered pets.

• Relocation assistance available.

Our Group

Kin Vet Community is a network of 22 practices across the South and East of England. We are committed to clinical excellence, teamwork and continuous professional development.