Senior Veterinary Ward Nurse
Senior Veterinary Ward Nurse
- Posted 31 March 2026
- Salary Grade 6 £33,951 - £37,694 per annum + 6% allowance for working weekends
- End date 28 April 2026
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Technical And Specialist
- Reference196275
- Expiry 28 Apr 2026 23:45
Job description
Advert
Are you a Registered Veterinary Nurse ready for your next challenge? Do you thrive in a hospital environment and want to help shape outstanding inpatient care?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Veterinary Nurse to lead our Hospital Wards team at the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital.
This is more than a ward role — it’s a chance to influence standards, develop processes, and support a skilled nursing team in delivering exceptional patient care. As Lead Ward Nurse, you will provide clinical leadership, oversee inpatient management, and coordinate closely with internal medicine, oncology, anaesthesia and theatre teams to ensure smooth and efficient patient journeys.
Key Responsibilities
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Oversee all ward patients, ensuring the highest standards of nursing care
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Champion infection control, hygiene and patient safety
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Coordinate workflow across clinical services, including planned and emergency cases
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Liaise with reception regarding admissions, discharges and client visits
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Lead and support nursing colleagues to ensure robust care plans are in place
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Actively develop your own skills through CPD and cross-service experience
This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated RVN who is passionate about inpatient care and ready to step into a leadership role within a busy, supportive hospital environment.
If you’re organised, compassionate and ready to make a real impact — we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits include:
· 35-hour working week
· 41 days annual leave
· CPD allowance/ subsidised further education.
· Discounted veterinary fees for own pets.
· Generous employers’ pension
The working pattern is primarily Monday to Friday with weekends worked according to our senior nurse rota.
If you’ve not been to Glasgow before, you’re in for a treat with a vibrant night life, and the countryside of Western Scotland on your doorstep (Loch Lomond is just 30 minutes away!).
Applicants will have the opportunity to visit the hospital and shadow wards prior to interview.
Interested?
We’d love to hear from you! For more information or an informal chat please contact:
sah-nursingenquiries@glasgow.ac.ukor call Sharon Smith on 0141 330 5391
Job Purpose
The post holder will undertake the management and organisation of their delegated area(s) of responsibility under the line management of the Nursing Services Manager. Principally the post holder is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating the training of student veterinary nurses They will maximise effective use of this resource to ensure whilst training, student nurses contribute to the principles of the Small Animal Hospital. They will also contribute to the teaching and supervision off staff & undergraduate veterinary students.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Responsible for the day-to-day organisation and management of staff in the Small Animal Hospital to ensure the effective operation of the nursing team. Act as the on the floor supervisor i.e. allocating duties to staff and preparation of rotas to ensure they efficiently and effectively contribute to the running of the organisation.
2. Oversee the nursing care of all patients in the hospital and ensure that this is of the highest standard. Demonstrate best practice whilst supporting the team to deliver and work with efficiency and ensuring proper workflow is maintained. Provide direct specialist support and advice to students and junior staff.
3. Responsible for and assist with the teaching, assessment and training of veterinary undergraduates, student veterinary nurses and new members of staff when required to facilitate continued learning.
4. Deputise for the Nursing Services Manager and Deputy Nursing Services Manager(s) in their joint absence.
5. In conjunction with the Nursing Services Manager perform Performance and Development Reviews and facilitate development plans for staff within team.
6. Provide advice for a range of queries from clients and referring veterinary surgeons including estimates, first aid advice, appointment requests, and guidance on correct patient care and triaging of emergencies.
7. Direct contact with owners to deliver progress reports on in-patients, keeping them informed of costs and providing a liaison between them and clinicians to ensure a successful relationship between the client and the SAH.
8. Ensure weekly/monthly stock budgets are adhered to within area(s) of responsibility. Source new products and ensure the most cost-effective stock is being ordered in compliance with university procedures and guidelines.
9. Organise the cleaning, servicing and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation, in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and health and safety guidelines, to ensure they are safe and ready for use.
10. Maintain RCVS registered status by completing approx. 15 hours CPD each year (45 hours in 3 years) and by ensuring RCVS retention fee is paid in a timely manner.
11. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to work across the hospital, as required.
Provide, on a rotational basis, supervisory and clinical cover at weekends & Bank Holidays acting as site lead nurse at these times.
12. To assist with clinical research projects within area(s) of responsibility including data collection and sample processing. Where appropriate, contribute to research articles.
13. Any other tasks within the level of responsibility to their role as deemed suitable by their line manager.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 RCVS Veterinary Nursing Qualification and fully registered.
A2 Extensive knowledge of all aspects of veterinary nursing, protocols and procedures to ensure the highest standard of care within the treatment area.
A3 Knowledge of current Health & Safety Legislation.
Desirable
B1 Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing or Degree in Veterinary Nursing
Skills
Essential
C1 Evidence of staff supervision.
C2 Excellent communication skills both orally and written.
C3 Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
C4 Use of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.
C5 Excellent organisational and time management skills
C6 Proven ability to manage workload effectively and balance conflicting priorities.
C7 Ability to lead and motivate a team to foster positive working environment.
Desirable
D1 Good IT skills and experience of practice management system.
D2 Ability to operate a range of laboratory and diagnostic equipment.
Experience Essential
E1 Substantial experience as a veterinary nurse (may include training).
E2 Previous experience of supervising staff.
Desirable
F1 Previous experience in a Senior Nurse or Head Nurse role.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum + 6% allowance for working weekends.
This post is full time and open ended.
For more information or an informal chat please contact sah-nursingenquiries@glasgow.ac.uk or call Sharon Smith on 0141 330 5391
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 28th April 2026