Head Veterinary Nurse

Welcome to Wanstead, this 24-hour internal referral hospital is our largest in the group and is looking for a one-of-a-kind individual that can take the reins as Head Nurse and really make this role their own.
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About your new role!
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This is a key role within the hospital leadership team, and together with the hospital manager, and head vet you will play an integral part in delivering operational excellence, outstanding patient care and invaluable support to its large team of nurses, across all experience levels.
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This role would suit an RVN with extensive experience in delivering high standards within a referral centre or busy hospital environment and is already either in a head nurse position or is highly experienced with a natural flare in leadership and is now looking for an official management position.
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Working with two Deputy Head Nurses and a team of five senior nurses, you will provide clinical and people leadership to our RVN, SVN and VCA team across all departments in the hospital.

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Leadership training will be provided.

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Your accountabilities will include and are not limited to:
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-Scheduling Nursing and VCA team meetings.

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-Setting and maintaining clinical standards of care in collaboration with other departmental heads and seniors.
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-Overseeing the provision of in-house training (delivered by vets and nurses) to further colleagues’ knowledge and clinical skills.
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-Working clinical shifts in the various RVN roles in the hospital such as wards, theatre, charge nurse duties etc.
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-Recruitment and induction of new RVNs, SVNs and VCAs (admin support is provided).
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-Managing the nurse rota in conjunction with the hospital manager and hospital administrator.
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-Ensuring staff with additional responsibilities are performing these to the expected standard, and if needed, exploring what support/training is required to achieve this.
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-Working with the hospital manager, head vet and deputy head nurses to explore how to develop a smoother and more efficient patient journey from reception through the hospital.
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-Delivering nurse and VCA performance reviews and maintain a smooth structure for reporting lines.

-Managing colleague TOIL and overtime appropriately.

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-Manage on-day nurse sickness and resource planning.
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We are looking for an RVN that can bring fresh ideas into reshaping the head nurse role and is excited to explore how this can be delivered. Currently, this is likely to be a 75% administrative and management role with 25% clinical duties, however, as we know in veterinary this can change either way dependant on the need of the hospital.

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Our head nurse will be engaging, demonstrate the upmost positivity and provide strong leadership for their team. This really is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled RVN to get their teeth stuck into a new challenge and promote positive change.

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​ About your new hospital!

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Wanstead Veterinary Hospital sees an incredibly diverse caseload, no day is the same, it’s a great environment to work alongside our talented team of certificate holders and specialists. The Hospital provides an excellent first opinion, emergency, critical care, and referral service to our clients and local network of over 20 branches, providing a huge pool of patients that look to Wanstead for further care.
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You will be working alongside a large team consisting of approximately 25 vets, 30 RVNs, 15 SVNs, 7 VCAs and a large front of house team who are integral in maintaining excellent client care.
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There is fantastic diagnostic support at Wanstead, including a CT scanner, ultrasound scanner, a visiting specialist in diagnostic imaging and a commercial laboratory. We have a strong GP and medical team providing excellent emergency and critical care, and complex medical management to our patients, and experienced surgeons routinely conducting advanced orthopaedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive surgery on site.
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Wanstead itself is on the outskirts of suburban Essex but has quick and direct transport links that take you straight into all areas of London, with Snaresbrook and Wanstead stations being a short walk away on the Central Line.

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Now let’s get to the nitty gritty, here is what we offer you:
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The salary band for this full-time role is £40,000 to £44,000 FTE depending on prior experience and allowing room for growth within the role.
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This is a full-time position with NO weekends and a 1:5 weekend manager on-call rotation (you are NOT required to attend the hospital if called).
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A little snippet of the benefits you will receive as a Goddard RVN:

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– 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays
– CPD budget every year plus up to 2 days’ paid CPD leave
– Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
-The opportunity to join our private medical healthcare scheme at a reduced rate, plus medical cashback incentives
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If you can see yourself in this role press apply now, and within 60 seconds your application will be with our recruitment manager Rose. Alternatively, please feel free to email Rose directly at [email protected] for any other queries or to simply arrange a call and have a chat about other opportunities!

We are committed to providing a fair recruitment process with equality of opportunity for all, and our vacancies are open to those from all backgrounds.