Deputy Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Deputy Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Rufford Vets, Southport

Up to £34,000 DOE

Full-time or part-time considered, 40 hours full-time

4 or 5 day week working a variety of shifts between 7.00am and 9.00pm

1 in 5 weekend rota

No out-of-hours work after 7.00pm

Rufford Veterinary Group is looking for an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our team as a Deputy Head Nurse at our Southport site. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated RVN who is ready to step into a leadership role while continuing to develop clinically within a supportive and collaborative team.

While primarily based in Southport, there will occasionally be opportunities to support our other branches in Rufford and Tarleton.

As Deputy Head Nurse, you will play an important role in supporting the leadership and development of the nursing team while remaining actively involved in clinical work.

• Supporting the Head Nurse in the day-to-day leadership of the nursing team
• Leading the nursing team in the absence of the Head Nurse
• Working as an active member of the clinical support team
• Participating fully in the nursing rota
• Delivering exceptional patient care and client service
• Supporting clinical coaching and development of the team
• Assisting with rota planning and organisational duties
• Supporting health and safety standards and nursing protocols
• Assisting with twice-yearly stocktakes

This role combines leadership responsibilities with hands‑on nursing, making it ideal for someone who enjoys mentoring others while maintaining strong clinical involvement.

Rufford Veterinary Group is proud to provide a high-quality first opinion service supported by advanced diagnostics and procedures. Our experienced team cares for a wide variety of small animal patients including dogs, cats and rabbits, as well as avian and exotic species.

We also see a number of emergency cases, providing a varied and engaging caseload for our clinical team.

Our team is known for its friendly and supportive atmosphere, with a strong focus on delivering gold standard patient care and excellent client service.

We are seeking an experienced RVN who is ready to step into a leadership position and support the development of the wider nursing team.

• Be a qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Have strong clinical nursing skills
• Be confident supporting and motivating a team
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills
• Be passionate about delivering high standards of patient care

This role would particularly suit a nurse looking to progress their career into leadership while remaining actively involved in clinical work.

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive salary up to £34,000 DOE, you will benefit from:

• 6.6 weeks annual leave
• Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• Your birthday as a paid day off

• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing, including discounted gym membership
• Non-accidental injury support

• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid leave pro rata
• Certificate support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon, our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets and Nurses can apply for research funding
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

• Pawsome Benefits, reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• Pension, 5 percent employee and 3 percent employer contribution
• Discounted staff pet care

Up to £34,000 DOE