Head Nurse - Dorset

Head Nurse FTC - Dorset

• Leadership Opportunity: Step into a floor-based leadership role where you'll guide and mentor a supportive nursing team, with responsibility for rota management and clinical excellence
• Supportive Environment: Join a friendly, multi-branch, RCVS-accredited practice with a strong team spirit and regular opportunities for professional and social connection
• Excellent Facilities: Work with a well-equipped practice featuring dental x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, and dedicated cat and dog wards, handling a varied caseload of medical and surgical patients
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a full-time role with no out-of-hours, riverside walks at your doorstep, and easy access to the coast, countryside, and town amenities
• Superb starting salary of £34,000 and a generous benefits package

The Package:

• Excellent starting salary from £34,000 DOE
• 6 weeks paid holiday including bank holidays
• £600 CPD Allowance per annum
• RCVS Membership paid plus one other membership subscription
• VDS cover
• Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and surrogacy pay
• Discounted veterinary fees
• Cycle to work scheme
• CPD/training support
• Company sick pay
• Annual pay reviews
• Focus on employee wellbeing
• Career progression opportunities

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave, offering a full-time role of 40 hours per week over either 4 or 5 days. Working hours are between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no out-of-hours commitments.

Benefit from a hands-on, floor-based leadership role where your clinical expertise will help shape the standard of care across the team. You'll mentor less experienced colleagues, manage the nursing rota and cover, and lead by example as an integral part of the daily nursing rota, with dedicated admin and float time built into your schedule. The ideal candidate will already have experience leading a clinical team and be passionate about nurturing the growth and confidence of others.

You'll be joining a close-knit team that support one another both professionally and socially. The practice is home to a cheerful, motivated team of 12 RVNs, 3 SVNs, 3 ACAs, and 6 receptionists, all backed by on-site administrators and a supportive Practice Manager. On a typical day, you'll be working alongside 4-5 vets, delivering exceptional patient care using top-notch facilities including dental x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, separate cat and dog wards, and hospitalisation space.

To apply please contact Luke on or email a copy of your up-to-date CV to

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And don't forget, if this position is of no interest to you but you know someone who may be interested, please pass on our details. We offer £250 for every successful candidate referral. Terms and conditions apply.

Ref no: JOB-53735