We are pleased to open applications for a confident, team focused RVN to join our team at Crown Vets Fort William as Head Veterinary Nurse.

 

Located in the heart of Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands, this role offers a fantastic lifestyle alongside career progression. The area is ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors, with opportunities for wild swimming, paddleboarding, hiking, cycling and wildlife watching, as well as a thriving local culture including music, arts and community events. Fort William benefits from strong transport links to major cities including London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, alongside excellent local schools and healthcare provision. A generous relocation package of up to £5000 is available to support your move to the area, if required.

 

Crown Vets Fort William is a well-established mixed practice with a supportive and experienced team of 8 Vets, 4 RVNs and a fantastic support team. The practice sees a varied small animal caseload, with opportunities to manage more complex cases in-house due to its distance from referral centres, alongside optional involvement in farm and equine work. The team is committed to high standards of patient care and nurse development, with investment in equipment such as an advanced laser unit and a strong focus on areas including preventative healthcare, dentistry and nutrition, all within a positive and sociable team environment.

 

IVC Evidensia is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of happier animals, happier owners. 

 

At IVC Evidensia, we believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment—at every stage of their career. 

 

 

 

 

 

As Head Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient and client care.

You’ll be responsible for setting and maintaining nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement activity, and developing a capable, confident nursing team. Working closely with the wider practice leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping culture, performance, and ways of working.

 

This is a full-time position with 8-hour shifts that will vary but will fall between the hours of 08:30 and 18:15. The role also includes participation in a 1:6 weekend on-call rota, which involves working a Saturday morning in practice. We’re happy to discuss flexible working as part of the application process.

 

 

*Lead, manage and support the nursing team, setting a positive culture and high standards of professionalism 
 *Oversee staff performance, including appraisals, absence management and adherence to policies 
 *Coordinate recruitment, onboarding and ongoing development of the nursing team 
 *Organise CPD, training and provide clinical coaching to support nurse progression 
*Manage rotas and annual leave to ensure effective team coverage 
 *Ensure equipment maintenance and smooth day-to-day clinical operations 
 *Maintain compliance with RCVS requirements and Health & Safety legislation

 

 

 

 

You are a highly experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong leadership capability and a passion for clinical excellence. You’ll bring: 

 

* Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS 

* Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills 

* Proven experience leading, mentoring, and developing nursing teams 

* Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement, and professional standards 

* Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills 

 

 

 

At IVC Evidensia, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from: 

 

* A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards and team development 

* Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider practice leadership roles 

* Ongoing learning and development to support leadership, governance, and strategic growth 

* A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, learning, and continuous improvement 

 

What We Offer Our Team 

 

*6.8 weeks' annual leave

*Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service

*Additional annual leave for your birthday which is added to your allowance

 

* Healthcare Cash Plan 

* Cycle to Work scheme 

 

*£550 CPD allowance per annum

*24hrs paid CPD leave

Professional Memberships

Additional 

* Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme 

* Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you 

* Discounted staff pet care  

* Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers 

£0 - £0 a year