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.

Main purpose & goals
• Maintain an overview of the nursing teams and provision of patient care across the practice
• Managing the nursing team by working with the team leads and the nursing team within the clinical setting
• In sites with a Group or Regional Nursing Manager, the Clinical Nurse Manager will meet at least every other week with them to report on quality assurance of nursing care standards and standard operating procedures within their business units/cluster
• In groups where the CNM is the most senior nurse they will be required to ensure quality assurance of nursing care standards and standard operating procedures within all business units that the nursing team work (This may involve visiting all business units/clusters)
• Demonstrating an excellent work protocol in all nursing with a high level of hygiene and the ability to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control
• Taking an active part in clinical duties for approximately 80% of your working hours, including a full share of the on-call rota • Ensure that the nursing team provide a high and sustainable quality of nursing care across all areas of the practice
• Provide leadership to the lead nurses and nursing teams within the practice.
• Ensure lead nurses have protected time to complete administrative responsibilities
• Ensure effective communication and cascade of information within the nursing team
• Ensure that all patients are dealt with in a timely manner, and that unnecessary delays are prevented at all times
• Work closely with the vets and non-surgical team including attending regular management meetings to ensure all areas are working together effectively and efficiently
• Ensure that the nursing team are implementing accurate patient record keeping and that all patient care instructions are followed by the nursing team
• Ensure all members of the nursing team are aware of their roles and job descriptions and are clear on the objectives they are working towards.

Where this role holder is the most senior nursing role in the business they will:
• Work as part of the practices 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 which are in line with the practice and Linnaeus vision and strategy
• Ensure there is senior nursing input into the development and implementation of developments and improvements within the practice to support timely clinical and managerial decision making
• Provide the leadership and experience to manage and deliver on complex and changing workloads which will include the need to identify and resolve conflicting priorities within tight timescales supporting the efficient management of patients
• Work with the nursing team, clinical team and SLT to ensure effective arrangements for patients are in place across the practice, reviewing areas of inefficiency and leading change as required from a nursing perspective
• Ensure that effective governance, quality and safety procedures are in place in relation to the nursing team, providing regular reports to SLT as required
• Liaise with clinicians as required to enhance business development, clinical care and service feedback, ensuring practice wide alignment with expected clinical standards in respect of veterinary nursing
• Support the management of expenditure within agreed budgets, ensuring financial targets are achieved, maximising profit opportunities and efficiency savings
• Provide management information, performance reports and briefings relating to nursing within the business as required
• Provide visible nursing management leadership by regularly liaising with the nursing and patient care assistant team and having a clinical presence monitoring the teams working across the disciplines
• Ensure that there is a clear strategy for review and development amongst the nursing team to ensure that the nursing team remains fit for purpose and dynamic in terms of the business and its growth
• Work with the team leads and SLT to develop a skills matrix for nursing requirement within the business along with a clear induction and training strategy for all new nurses joining the business.
• Work with team leads to ensure all new nurses entering the business are supported to complete their induction
• Work with the Lead Nurses and Clinical Director to support the identification, prioritisation and implementation of learning, development and CPD for nurses that is aligned to the practice vision for growth
• Ensure that all nurses are fit to practise and that appropriate CPD, coaching and mentoring is taking place
• Provide effective line management of the Lead Nurses including regular feedback, mentoring, coaching and development discussions
• Carry out Lead Nurse appraisals
• With support from HR to manage any disciplinary, attendance and/or performance concerns within the nursing team
• Participate in external CPD appropriate to your role plus any training in-house, ensuring post-training feedback forms are completed/cascade of relevant information to appropriate team members
• Implement the Practice Standards Scheme across the practice
• Implement the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) standards across the practice
• Use Vetsafe reporting to target training where nursing care can be improved
• Ensure all equipment across the practice is appropriately maintained and serviced
• Liaise with Linnaeus central office as necessary, attend Linnaeus nurse meetings and devolve any developments to the nursing team and SLT
• Report and summarise critical incidents as part of Practice Clinical Governance Policy
• Be fully aware of all Health & Safety issues and read all information supplied
• Adhere to confidentiality relating to all aspect of the business including complying with and assisting with all requirements relating to GDPR compliance.

Person specification
Experience
• 5 years in practice, with a minimum of 2 years post RVN registration
• Training and coaching and previous staff management
• Experience of leading a team • Ability to manage and forecast budgets

Knowledge
• RCVS Code of Conduct
• Confident in the use of IT packages, email and online internet browsers
• Organisational operations
• Performance management
• H&S
• GDPR

Qualifications
• RVN

Skills & abilities
• Coaching, mentoring and supportive
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Innovative and forward thinking Health & safety
• Be fully aware of all Health & Safety issues and read all information supplied Other (if applicable) Insert text November 2021
• Team player • Highly organised with the ability to multitask, plan and prioritise effectively in accordance with business needs
• Proactive and well organised with an eye for detail
• Ability to manage projects through to completion, meeting deadlines and targets
• Remains calm under pressure • Problem solving

Other qualities
•Ability to make decisions that benefit the whole team not individuals
Knowledge of organisational restrictions

This role is Fixed term maternity cover

Salary Value:£34,000 per annum;

Salary description: Depending on experience;

We are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people.

Why Linnaeus?

-    We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets

-    We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet

-    We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – valuing equity, diversity and inclusion

-    We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one.

We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future.

Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates.

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people.

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button or for more information or please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition team at careers@linnaeusgroup.co.uk