Head Nurse

We are current looking for a Head Veterinary Nurse to join our Veterinary Leadership Team. This role will be based at our Veterinary Clinic in Glasgow, also providing support and cover for our Lanarkshire Clinic.

If this sounds like a role you would be interested in, please read on for more information. 

• Hours – Full time – 35 hours per week
• Salary – up to £33,579 per annum
• Contract Type – Permanent  

About the Scottish SPCA

As Scotland’s animal welfare charity, we have been on-hand to protect animals and prevent cruelty since 1839 – that’s over 186 years of creating a better world for all animals. We’ve grown to become a national charity which celebrates the strength of the human-animal bond and enriches the lives of animals and people. We are Scotland’s animal champions.

What does a Head Nurse do? 

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic RVN to lead and support our nursing team, and to drive quality improvement through a nurse-led approach. Our Head Nurse will be responsible for the efficient movement of animals through the veterinary clinic, reacting to the needs of the wider Society and working to minimise animal time-in-care. 

Working closely with the Veterinary Clinic Manager and Lead Veterinary Surgeon, the Head Nurse will ensure high standards of nursing and clinical care in an efficient charity medicine environment. They will also ensure the nursing team delivers excellent levels of client and customer service expected from an internal veterinary support function. Our clinics in Glasgow and Lanarkshire operate Monday-Friday, with no weekend, out-of-hours or clinical on-call

Overview of main duties and responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Animal Rehoming and Rehabilitation Centre (ARRC), Inspectorate, and wider veterinary clinic teams to ensure the efficient movement of animals through various services and treatments, prioritising those with the greatest clinical need. Ensure seamless transitions between stages of care to minimise delays and optimise patient outcomes.
• Working with the Veterinary Clinic Manager and Lead Veterinary Surgeon, re-prioritise workflows to accommodate urgent and emergent cases, ensuring necessary treatment is provided to sick and injured animals as quickly as possible.
• Model the Society’s core values — Committed, Compassionate, Professional, Expert, Collaborative, and Adaptable — in all aspects of clinical and interpersonal work.
• Play an active role in clinical work, including monitoring anaesthesia, inpatient care, nurse consults and maintenance of the clinical environment.
• Foster a culture of collaborative, interdepartmental teamwork that prioritises welfare-focused outcomes and exceptional client and stakeholder service.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, members of the public, veterinary professionals, and regulatory authorities, using clinical judgement to tailor communication appropriately to the audience and situation.
• Lead, inspire, and support the Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) and Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) teams, to drive nurse-led initiatives and provide high-quality patient care.
• Provide clinical support and training to ensure the professional development needs of the nursing teams are met and that their performance aligns with Scottish SPCA expectations.
• Foster a collaborative team culture where members can share ideas, ask questions, learn from one another and work together to meet the needs of the clinic.
• Working with the Veterinary Clinic Manager and Lead Veterinary Surgeon, support with operational decisions and contribute to Quality Improvement initiatives, such as the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme

Please see full Job Description link for more detailed information on the role. 

 What makes a good Head Nurse? 

• Qualified RVN with a minimum 3 years’ full-time experience.
• Experience in a Senior or Supervisory role.
• Passion for animal welfare and an advocate of our charitable purpose.
• Solutions focussed and able to remove blockers and work collaboratively to overcome obstacles.
• Ability to work under direction and delegate tasks where appropriate.
• Exceptional decision-making skills and ability to re-prioritise and re-organise cases to accommodate the needs of the society.     
• Subject to a Disclosure Scotland PVG check.
• Compliant with RCVS CPD Requirements.

We are fortunate that some of our roles attract a high level of interest therefore, we may have to close roles earlier than advertised. Early application submissions are highly recommended.  This also means that we cannot provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates due to receiving high levels of applications. 

The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to achieving our core mission.

Scottish Charity No SC 006467