Head Veterinary Nurse (RVN) – Vet’s Klinic Reading, Woodley
Salary: £38,000–£42,000 per year
Job Type: Full-time or Part-time | Permanent
Location: Woodley, Reading, Berkshire
Date Posted: 7 August 2026
Join Our Growing Veterinary Team
Vet’s Klinic Reading is a newly established, state-of-the-art independent veterinary practice based in Woodley, Reading. We are passionate about providing exceptional standards of veterinary care while keeping our services genuinely accessible and affordable for local pet owners.
We are now looking for an experienced and passionate Head Veterinary Nurse (RVN) to join our progressive, friendly and vibrant team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an RVN who is ready to take the next step in their career and play a key leadership role within a growing independent practice.
As Head Nurse, you will have the opportunity to help shape our nursing team, clinical standards and day-to-day operations. Your ideas, experience and leadership will be valued as we continue to develop the practice.
We believe modern veterinary care should be built around excellent patient care, outstanding client service and a supportive working environment for our team.
The Role
As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide leadership and support to the nursing team while working closely with the veterinary surgeons and practice leadership.
You will play an important role in maintaining high standards of clinical care, developing our nursing team and helping establish efficient and effective practice protocols.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, supporting and developing the veterinary nursing team
- Acting as a positive role model and clinical leader
- Maintaining high standards of patient care and nursing practice
- Supporting the development and implementation of clinical protocols and procedures
- Assisting with staff training, mentoring and inductions
- Supporting student nurses and newly qualified RVNs
- Helping coordinate the nursing team's day-to-day workload
- Managing nursing standards, equipment and clinical areas
- Supporting stock management and maintaining appropriate clinical supplies
- Working with the practice team to ensure excellent client care
- Helping identify opportunities to improve clinical processes and patient experience
- Encouraging a positive, collaborative and supportive team culture
- Taking an active role in practice development as the business grows
We are looking for someone who is confident taking responsibility while remaining approachable, supportive and hands-on.
Our Practice
Our brand-new facilities have been designed with both patients and the veterinary team in mind and include:
- Digital X-ray and ultrasound
- In-house laboratory
- Fully equipped dental suite
- Advanced anaesthetic monitoring
- Glass-fronted preparation room
- Secure online client records, including photos and videos
- Modern, purpose-designed clinical facilities
About You
We are looking for an experienced, conscientious and enthusiastic RVN with strong leadership qualities who is passionate about providing high-quality patient care and developing those around them.
You'll ideally have:
- RCVS registration
- Previous experience working as an RVN
- Experience or a strong interest in nursing leadership
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Confidence supporting and mentoring colleagues
- A positive and collaborative approach to teamwork
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- A commitment to maintaining high clinical standards
- A genuine passion for animal welfare and patient care
- An interest in developing your own professional skills and areas of expertise
- The ability to take initiative and contribute ideas to a growing practice
Previous experience as a Head Nurse, Deputy Head Nurse, Senior RVN or Clinical Nursing Lead would be advantageous, but we are also interested in experienced RVNs who are ready to take their first step into a leadership position.
Most importantly, we're looking for someone who will fit into our open, honest and supportive team culture and who wants to help build something special.
What We Offer
We want our Head Nurse to feel valued, supported and fulfilled in their career. As a newly established independent practice, you will have a genuine opportunity to influence how our nursing team develops and how the practice operates.
We actively encourage professional development and will support you in developing your leadership skills and areas of veterinary nursing that interest you.
Your Package Includes
- £38,000–£42,000 starting salary
- Competitive salary based on experience and leadership responsibilities
- 4-day working week
- Fixed day off to support a healthy work-life balance
- 5 weeks' annual leave
- Plus bank holidays
- £750 CPD allowance
- Plus 3 additional CPD days
- No OOH or on-call
- Flexible working
- Full-time and part-time applications welcomed
- 1 in 4 Saturdays
- Saturday hours: 8:30am–12:30pm only
Additional Benefits
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Additional leave
- Company events
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
- On-site parking
- Discounted or free food
Leadership & Development
As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will be an integral part of the practice leadership structure.
Because we are a new independent practice, this is not simply a role where you will inherit existing systems and procedures. You will have the opportunity to help build them.
We want you to have a genuine voice in:
- Developing the nursing team
- Establishing clinical standards
- Improving patient care pathways
- Creating nursing protocols and procedures
- Supporting recruitment and onboarding
- Staff training and development
- Introducing new ideas and services
- Improving efficiency and workflow
- Shaping the culture of the practice
We believe great leadership is about supporting people, encouraging development and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work.
About Woodley, Reading
Vet’s Klinic Reading is located in Woodley, a popular and well-established suburb to the east of Reading in Berkshire.
Woodley offers a great balance between town and countryside, with plenty of local amenities, shops, cafés, parks and green spaces nearby. The area is particularly convenient for those commuting from Reading, Wokingham, Earley and surrounding areas, with good road links and access to Reading town centre.
It's a fantastic location for anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of working within a growing independent practice while living and working within a friendly local community.
Why Join Vet’s Klinic Reading?
We're not looking to simply fill a position — we're looking for a leader who wants to grow with us.
As a new independent practice, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference, contribute ideas and help shape the way we work.
As Head Nurse, you will have the chance to build and develop a nursing team that reflects the values of Vet’s Klinic Reading: high clinical standards, excellent patient care, outstanding client service and genuine support for our people.
We want every member of our team to feel genuinely utilised, appreciated and fulfilled in their role.
If you're an experienced RVN looking for a leadership position where your voice matters, your development is supported and you can help shape a growing independent practice, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply Now
Pay: £38,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
