If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.
Job title: Deputy Head of Nursing Services
Location: North Downs Specialist Referrals
Job Type: Full Time, 6 months Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 40 per week on average.
Salary: £45,000 - £48,000/annum, depending on experience
An exciting opportunity has arisen at North Downs Specialist Referrals, where we are seeking a passionate and experienced nurse leader to support the business in championing the future of the referral veterinary nursing profession.
About Us
We are an internationally acknowledged referral centre of excellence for specialist veterinary care. Our RCVS accredited practice offers access to one of the largest groups of veterinary specialists within the UK and Europe. We are continuously aiming to provide the highest standards of medical and surgical care for our patients within a caring and compassionate environment.
Our team consists of over 60 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) and 31 recognised specialists in surgery internal medicine, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, cardiology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia.
Overview
The Deputy Head of Nursing Services will step into a FTC role for a period of up to six months, taking on delegated responsibilities from the Head of Nursing Services. This role provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and professional support across the nursing service within NDSR. They will act as a key decision-maker and serve as a representative of the nursing service in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Referral Nursing Lead at Linnaeus.
Main Purpose And Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
Support the implementation and delivery of the nursing strategy in alignment with organisational goals and values.
Contribute to the development of nursing initiatives and innovation in patient care delivery.
Represent the nursing team at SLT and strategic planning meetings.
Operational Management:
Provide oversight of day-to-day nursing operations to ensure safe, effective, and high-quality clinical care.
Coordinate staffing, resourcing, and workload allocation to maintain service efficiency and staff wellbeing.
Professional Development & Staff Support:
Lead and mentor Team Leaders, signposting as necessary
Support and guide Team Leaders in addressing workforce issues, training needs, and performance management.
Collaboration & Engagement:
Serve as the liaison with the Referral Nursing Lead and other key stakeholders within Linnaeus.
Foster collaborative working relationships across our team to enhance patient outcomes and staff engagement.
Governance & Quality Assurance:
Attend meetings to support, represent and drive the requirements of the nursing service.
Working collaboration with our CD to oversee clinical governance and patient safety within our hospital.
Contribute to the development and review of nursing policies, procedures, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Decision-Making Authority:
Empowered to make decisions related to nursing service operations, staff, and service delivery with HD.
Acts as the delegated lead in nursing matters in the absence of the Head of Nursing Services.
Reporting & Accountability:
Reports to designated SLT member - Hospital Director (in HoNS absence).
Works closely with the SLT to ensure alignment, progress and completion of strategic and hospital objectives.
Person Specification
Essential:
- RVN with 5+ years’ experience within a busy, multi-disciplinary referral practice
- Previous leadership role within a veterinary nursing team
- Able to demonstrate excellent knowledge in all areas of RVN duties within a referral practice
- Good knowledge of RCVS Code of Conduct
- RVN Qualification
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Able to deliver outstanding patient and client care (including handling difficult situations) efficiently and effectively
- Able to work effectively independently (sole charge) and within a team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Teams
- Able to complete projects and meet deadlines in accordance with business needs
- Good organisational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritise and plan effectively
- Remains calm under pressure and able to problem solve
- Enthusiastic, approachable, with a genuine desire to improve standards across the nursing team
- Works effectively with the SLT
- Ability to address difficult conversations
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development related to leadership and management
- Minimum of 12 months leadership/management of a large, complex nursing team, with
- Planning of rotas and resources within a complex 24/7 business
- Minimum of 2 years’ team management experience to include recruitment, induction, performance management, coaching and mentoring
- Understanding of clinical governance and professional practice
- Inspires people across professional boundaries
- Delegates effectively
- Continuously aims for self-development
- Encourages development in others
- Is a role model for others
- Demonstrates practice and professional values
- Demonstrates commitment to quality of care and outcomes
- Identifies opportunities to improve operational excellence
- Delivers to strategic and business objectives
- Understands and communicates the strategic vision
- Acts within the overall interest of the practice
- Communicates and collaborates effectively with others.
Desirable:
- Training and mentoring of staff.
- Performance management.
- H&S requirements.
- GDPR
- Quality Improvement such as Clinical Audits
- Post registration qualifications in Veterinary Nursing
- Management qualification or training to Diploma level or equivalent
- Mental Health First Aider
- Previous Clinical Coach or mentor experience
- Previous experience of delegated budget management and financial awareness, including ability to develop business cases
- Experience of initiating and/or delivering change
- Has a good understanding of the financial pressures and need for good financial management.
What we offer:
- 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- External CPD funded
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programmes
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- Wellness program including:
- Employee assistance programme
- Eyecare voucher scheme
- Free annual Flu jab
- Cycle to work scheme
- Childcare vouchers
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
At Linnaeus, we are committed to supporting the physical and mental health of all our Associates. We have an amazing team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) across our practices and central support office in addition to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available for everyone.
We would love to hear from you, please contact Becca at
[email protected] if you have any questions or would like to discuss this role further.
North Downs Specialist Referrals is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.
At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.
We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.
All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about North Downs Specialist Referrals, Linnaeus or the role please contact our Talent Acquisition team at
[email protected]
