Job Description:

Are you an experienced and fully qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse looking to step into a leadership role? At PDSA, your skills are truly valued, your caseload is excitingly varied, and pet wellbeing always comes before profit.

As Deputy Head RVN, you will support the Head Nurse in leading our dedicated nursing team while delivering high-standard clinical care to pets and owners in need.

We work as close to private practice care standards as possible, but with a crucial difference: our heart is 100% in charity work.

Why Join Us? (The Perks & The Reality)

• Step into a pivotal leadership role supporting team management, recruitment, and development, alongside exposure to a huge variety of medical, surgical, and emergency cases.
• Work in modern hospitals with separate dog/cat wards, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, and extensive orthopaedic gear.
• Work alongside long-standing colleagues who bring a wealth of knowledge, strong team spirit, and a collaborative ethos.
• Standard 37.5 hours per week with a guaranteed 1-hour lunch break

Rewards & Benefits

• Salary includes a 5% increase, which will be renewed at 2 years of service.
• Structured internal CPD programs, clear career development pathways, 3 days CPD, £500 per year allowance, and full payment of RCVS fees.
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays (with option to buy/sell 5 days), plus dedicated annual days for Volunteering, Celebration, and Wellbeing.
• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 wellbeing support, private medical cover, and life assurance (4x salary).
• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions rising to 10%, Fetch discounts platform, staff pet discounts, and enhanced family leave.

What the Role Involves:

Charity nursing is fast-paced, testing, and deeply rewarding. As Deputy Head RVN, you will balance clinical practice with key leadership responsibilities to support both our clients and our nursing team.

Leadership & Team Support:

• Support the Head Nurse in leading sections of the nursing team and deputise for the Head Nurse during periods of absence.
• Assist with all aspects of nursing team management, including recruitment, selection, development, and integration of Animal Care Auxiliaries (ACAs).
• Promote a strong customer service culture and foster clear two-way communication within the team.
• Assist the Head Nurse in maintaining compliance with clinical governance, health and safety, risk assurance, and RCVS guidelines.
• Support the recruitment, development, and management of PH volunteers.

Clinical Duties:

• Hands-on inpatient nursing, monitoring, and emergency care.
• Theatre support and Schedule 3 procedures.
• Running nurse consultations and preventive healthcare/pet wellbeing clinics.
• Radiography, diagnostic imaging, and dispensary management.

About You

• RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse. Experience in leading, developing, or managing individuals/teams in a busy small animal practice is highly desirable.
• Ability to engage and motivate a team.
• Computer literate (MS Office) with experience in project/task implementation, planning, and resource management.
• Pragmatic, efficient, adaptable in a fast-paced environment, and deeply welfare-focused in-patient care.

Please note, by applying for this role you are agreeing to have your details added to our database for communication purposes.