Address
Form of workREPORTING TO: CLINICAL DIRECTOR/HOSPITAL DIRECTOR
AREA: NURSING
Salary: Up to £50,000 depending on experience
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Northwest Veterinary Specialists, where we are seeking a passionate and experienced nurse leader to support the business in championing the future of the referral veterinary nursing profession.
Overview
The Head of Nursing Services will be responsible for the efficient and effective leadership of the nursing teams to the highest level within the referral services. The role forms an important part of the senior leadership team. This includes providing management, performance reviews, training and coordination for all relevant personnel. Working enthusiastically with the nursing team leaders and their teams to help maintain a happy, efficient working environment, whilst ensuring practice policies and group policies are adhered to at all times, whilst providing outstanding patient and client care.
*Relocation package can be considered for anyone needing to relocate for this role *
Main purpose & goals:
- Work as part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure strong clinical, operational and financial performance of the practice, advising the SLT on the nursing impact of decisions and discussions.
- Contribute to the strategic development of the practice and support the development of Nursing strategies that are aligned with the practice vision and strategy.
- Ensure there is senior nursing input into the development and implementation of improvements within the practice to support the operational needs of the business.
- Through leadership, organisational and managerial skills ensure the highest standard of Nursing care is provided to all patients.
- Oversee the quality of patient and client care and provision of clinical assistance to the Veterinary Surgeons provided by the referral nursing teams.
- Ensure that the referral nursing team is organised and managed in line with Northwest Veterinary Specialists and Linnaeus business strategy and objectives and to meet any relevant performance targets set for key performance indicators.
- Provide an efficient, courteous, and helpful service to all clients, suppliers and external contacts in a consistent timely manner.
- Manage the recruitment and selection of Nursing staff followed by ensuring they have the appropriate induction, training, support and management.
- Achieve optimum performance from each individual member of the referral nursing teams, using the business performance management system and through setting expectations and leading by example
- Liaise between the referral nursing team, the Senior Leadership Team, heads of services and other teams within the practice to ensure effective lines of communication at all times, ensuring appropriate cascade of information
- Promote our services, employees and products, both in and out of the practice.
- Understand, contribute to, implement and provide training on practice and group policies as appropriate.
Key responsibilities:
- Represent the nursing team as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Play a central role in shaping an efficient and effective hospital environment through the promotion of excellent clinical standards and effective leadership of the nursing team
- Manage the nursing team and support when necessary with general nursing duties, ensuring the efficient running of all clinical services.
- Ensure that all clinical cases are dealt with efficiently by contributing to and developing the hospitals patient flow system.
- Work closely with the Veterinary Surgeons and non-clinical teams, including the attendance of regular meetings to ensure all areas of the practice work together effectively and efficiently.
- Ensure all members of the nursing team understand their roles and responsibilities and have clear objectives to work towards.
- Ensure that patient records are completed accurately and that all patient care instructions are followed by the nursing team
- Ensure auditing is in place for clinical records
- Monitor the performance of team members and ensure that the appropriate training and support is provided, in order for the nursing staff to implement the highest standards of care required at all times. Encourage and oversee the reporting and reviewing of clinical incidents as part of the Practice Clinical Governance Policy, through the effective use of Vetsafe.
- Provide support for the Clinical Coaches, Preceptors and skills supervisors with the planning of student/PRP nurse tutorials and training where necessary and ensure time is protected for meetings/ tutorials to take place
- Demonstrate an ability to motivate the referral nursing team and encourage the team to work effectively together, in a positive and friendly atmosphere
- Support the nursing team leaders to facilitate regular performance reviews, the updating of training documents or competency checklists and their provision to ensure the nursing team are competent in the performance of their duties.
- In collaboration with People and Organisation, effectively manage any performance, disciplinary or attendance concerns within the nursing team
- Promote the practice and group policies and guidelines that apply to all employees.
- Manage the team leaders to ensure efficient rota management to ensure adequate cover with regards to holiday and CPD requests, Public Holidays, scheduling of in-house training and rota amendments due to unforeseen absence, including shift changes where appropriate.
- Manage and monitor overtime requests and claims to minimise excessive hours for any given individual and unnecessary expenditure for the business.
- Contribute to the management of budgets, ensuring financial targets are achieved, profit opportunities and efficiency savings opportunities are maximised
- Assist with practice marketing initiatives e.g. Open Evenings, Open Days etc.
- Actively participate in external CPD appropriate to your role plus any training in-house, ensuring post-training feedback forms are complete and cascade any relevant information to appropriate team members.
- Ensure effective stock rotation/replenishment within the teams of the referral nurses.
- Demonstrate through leadership an exceptional standard in all nursing duties when required, including theatre practice, lab techniques, assisting Veterinary Surgeons with anaesthesia, with a high level of hygiene and the ability to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control.
- When required, dispense drugs safely and manage pharmaceuticals according to legislation, calculate drug doses and dispense and prepare drugs as prescribed by the Veterinary Surgeon whilst maintaining appropriate drug records.
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 ICT 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.
Linnaeus Group is a vibrant, forward-thinking partnership of highly respected veterinary practices across the UK, comprising some of the best clinicians in the profession.
Linnaeus invest in quality practices who put patient care at the heart of everything they do. We are incredibly proud of each and every member of our diverse portfolio, from the UK’s most respected small animal referral centres to our selection of high quality first opinion practices.
Our Vision is: ‘To be recognised as the UK’s leading veterinary group, committed to excellence in all that we do, delivered through high quality practices who share a common ethos’.
Our Values are: Leadership with Integrity | Learning & Innovation | Lifetime Commitment to Quality Care
Benefits
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• External CPD funded
• Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
• Career progression opportunities
• Staff discount schemes
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Wellness program including:
o Employee assistance program
o Eyecare voucher scheme
o Free annual Flu jab
o Cycle to work scheme
• 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 Program which is available for everyone.
If you would like to apply for this role, please click the Apply Button or for more information, please feel free to reach out directly to our Referral Nursing Talent Acquisition Business Partner - Rebecca Coleman rebecca.coleman@linnaeusgroup.co.uk
