An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Registered Veterinary Nurse to take on a Deputy Head Nurse position within a busy 24-hour hospital in Essex, just 30 minutes from London. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract, ideal for a forward-thinking nurse ready to develop their leadership skills within a supportive, progressive team.
The hospital boasts state-of-the-art facilities including CT, MRI, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and dedicated cat, dog, exotic, dental, and isolation wards. With a varied caseload spanning emergency, orthopaedic, and soft tissue surgery, this is a great opportunity to be part of a team that values collaboration, professional development, and clinical excellence.
The Role
This position is primarily clinical and hands-on. You’ll support the Head Nurse in leading and coordinating the nursing team, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and maintaining high clinical standards. The role would suit a nurse with 3–4 years’ experience and a medical bias, confident in guiding others and managing a busy caseload.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinating with medical and surgical teams to ensure daily workflow
- Acting as a point of contact for urgent clinical and operational queries
- Supporting and mentoring the nursing team
- Assisting with staff inductions, return-to-work meetings, and absence tracking
- Conducting team meetings and communicating new protocols
- Contributing to training and development of student nurses (clinical coaching training provided)
The Rota & Package
- 40 hours per week over 4 days
- Set day off each week
- 1 in 4 weekends
- Salary up to £36,000 (DOE)
- Enhanced benefits including subsidised private healthcare, income protection & colleague discounts
- Supportive leadership from the Head Nurse and Head of Clinical Services
This hospital places real value on education, teamwork, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. If you’re an experienced RVN looking to take the next step into leadership within a modern, dynamic hospital, this could be the ideal move.
For a confidential chat or to apply, contact Sophie at Lloyd & Cowan Veterinary Recruitment. Send your CV via APPLY or email directly to sophie@lloydandcowan.com