Deputy Nursing Manager

Job Title: Deputy Nursing ManagerReporting to: Nursing ManagerDepartment: Clinical Services

About AURA Veterinary

AURA Veterinary is a world-renowned centre for excellence in oncology, soft tissue surgery, internal medicine and interventional radiology based in Guildford. Our focus is on delivering the best possible outcomes for the dogs and cats who are referred to us for treatment. We offer secondary and tertiary-level clinical expertise and exceptional animal care, rooted in a commitment to uphold the highest standards in veterinary science. The facilities at AURA are state-of-the-art and include four operating theatres, 160 slice CT scanner, with Injector pump, brand new state of the art C-arm fluoroscopy unit, Cell-salvage autotransfusion unit, intraoperative imaging with Near-InfraRed Fluorescence (NIRF), Interventional Radiology suite, minimally invasive surgical equipment, cystoscopy/endoscopy/bronchoscopy, 2 chemotherapy rooms plus hood room, contrasten­hanced ultrasonography (CEUS), digital radiography and full in-house laboratory.

Job Description

The Deputy Nursing Manager is a senior clinical leadership role at the heart of AURA’s nursing team. The post holder supports the Nursing Manager in providing strong, visible, and clinically credible leadership across the nursing and VCA teams – leading from the floor, setting the standard for care, and acting as the primary point of escalation for clinical matters in the Nursing Manager’s absence.

This role operates on an 80:20 ratio – 80% of the post holder’s time is spent as an active, hands‑on clinical nurse, working alongside the nursing team and demonstrating the standard of practice expected across AURA. The remaining 20% is dedicated to administrative, people management and operational responsibilities, carried out in close partnership with the Nursing Manager.

The Deputy Nursing Manager has direct oversight of the Lead VCA and, through them, the wider VCA team structure – including the two Senior VCAs (Prep and Wards). They work closely with the Hospital Co‑ordinator to ensure smooth day‑to‑day operational flow and with the nursing leadership team to drive standards, development, and performance across all clinical areas.

This role is primarily clinical. The Deputy Nursing Manager is expected to be present on the floor, working as a practising RVN for the majority of their time. Their leadership is demonstrated through clinical excellence, visible mentorship, and day‑to‑day presence within the team.

Clinical to Administration Split: 80% — Clinical & 20% Admin

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain RCVS registration as an RVN and uphold the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses at all times.
• Work as an active, practising RVN for at least 80% of contracted hours, providing hands‑on patient care across all relevant clinical areas.
• Act as a highly visible clinical role model – leading by example, demonstrating best practice, and setting the standard for all nursing and VCA staff.
• Provide consistent, clear, clinical and professional leadership; act as a mentor for all nursing and VCA staff, demonstrating professional awareness and accountability in care.
• Be the primary clinical escalation point for the nursing and VCA team during shifts, supporting decision‑making and providing guidance where needed.
• Attend patient ward rounds and constructively contribute to enhance patient care plans.
• Attend M&M meetings and action improvements identified.
• Ensure pain score sheets and early intervention sheets are compliant and effectively used.
• Ensure communication with clients is fulfilled, either directly or by delegation within the clinical team.
• Maintain precise patient records in line with RCVS guidance and AURA protocols.
• Ensure completion of CPD log and online tracker in accordance with RCVS requirements and actively pursue ongoing professional development.
• Work in accordance with AURA’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, and policies at all times.
• Assist in the reporting of clinical errors to promote a culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Actively mentor, support, and educate junior RVNs and VCA team members on the floor during shifts, providing real‑time guidance and feedback.

Team Structure & Leadership

• Provide direct line management support to the Lead VCA, conducting regular one‑to‑ones, supporting performance, and acting as the escalation point for VCA team matters.
• Support the Lead VCA in overseeing the day‑to‑day operations of the VCA team, including allocation, supervision, training, and performance.
• Work in partnership with the two Senior VCAs (Prep and Wards) to ensure area standards, training, and clinical quality are consistently upheld.
• Liaise with the Hospital Co‑ordinator to ensure effective daily clinical workflow, appropriate staffing across areas, and operational readiness of the hospital.
• Instil an inclusive culture of teamwork, accountability, and excellence across the nursing and VCA teams.
• Contribute to the induction of all new clinical and non‑clinical staff to the hospital.
• Identify training needs across the nursing and VCA teams and propose appropriate resources and interventions to address these, in conjunction with the Nursing Manager.
• Ensure all nursing and VCA staff receive regular feedback on their performance; conduct or contribute to appraisals and probationary reviews as directed by the Nursing Manager.

Management Responsibilities

• Support the Nursing Manager in developing and implementing a nursing strategy that reflects the innovative ethos of AURA and the evolving needs of the team and business.
• Manage the nursing rota in conjunction with the Nursing Manager, organising shifts according to clinical activity, anticipated demand and forward planning of absences.
• Ensure the correct skill mix is in place across all shifts to deliver safe, high‑quality patient care.
• In the absence of the Nursing Manager, plan, facilitate, and deliver regular nurse and clinical team meetings, ensuring actions are completed in a timely manner.
• Assist the Nursing Manager in responding to client queries and complaints in a timely and efficient manner, in line with AURA policy.
• Undertake clinical audits as requested by the Nursing Manager, drawing up rectification and training plans to address any discrepancies identified.
• Support the Nursing Manager in monitoring and improving the financial performance of the nursing team, including contribution to budget management.
• Contribute to plans for future development and growth of the nursing service.
• Liaise and communicate with suppliers and company representatives as required.
• Check and close patient accounts for the finance team in advance of patient discharge.
• Identify service and policy development changes needed to ensure a continuing excellent standard of care and support their implementation.
• Lead by example and be instrumental in creating excellent working relationships both internally and externally.
• Work as a hands‑on, practising RVN across all relevant clinical areas, dependent on daily clinical need.

Governance

• Assist the Nursing Manager in ensuring compliance with risk assurance processes including health and safety, security, clinical governance, RCVS guidelines, and data protection.
• Assist the Nursing Manager to embed a culture of prevention through education.
• Assist in the completion of clinical audits, including audits of inpatient notes and nursing records.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements including, but not limited to, RCVS, Fire, COSHH, Basic Life Support, Infection Control, and Display Screen Equipment regulations.

Health & Safety

• Be aware of, and conversant with, the Health and Safety At Work Act (1974) and comply with the regulations set down to ensure safety to patients, staff and visitors.
• Ensure a robust Infection Prevention and Control policy is in place and adhered to by all staff and visitors.
• Undertake, at the request of the Nursing Manager, Health and Safety and Infection Control audits, producing rectification plans as needed.
• Ensure all incidents and untoward occurrences are recorded according to Hospital Policy.
• Be aware of, and conversant with, the Hospital Fire Policy and be fully aware of the position of fire alarms, emergency equipment and exits.

Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information

During the course of your work, you will come into possession of confidential information concerning patients, their families, AURA Veterinary and its staff. This information should be treated confidentially and in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2016.

Data/Security

The post holder is responsible for ensuring he/she maintains the integrity and quality of both computerised and manual data.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At AURA, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and excellence. We are committed to building a workforce that embraces the world we live in. We provide equal opportunities for all applicants and employees, ensuring fair and unbiased recruitment processes and encouraging an inclusive work environment. We expect the post holder, and everyone of our people, to take personal responsibility for observing, upholding, promoting and applying the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

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