Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Join Forest House, an independent veterinary hospital with over 150 years of history in Windsor. This full-time role offers a genuine 4-day working week with no overnight on-call – a rarity in modern practice. You’ll work across three sites (primarily Windsor, with Ascot and Egham just 15 minutes away), sharing consulting and surgical responsibilities with a close-knit, long-serving team in a truly varied first-opinion caseload.

This position suits a newly-qualified or recently-graduated vet ready to take the next step in a collaborative, supportive environment. There’s no sole charge, and you’ll be fully supported to pursue certificates or develop clinical interests. The team has invested in modern equipment including laparoscopic equipment, Idexx Sedivue machines, dedicated orthopaedic theatre, and comprehensive imaging facilities – enabling you to keep most cases in-house and learn broadly.

Windsor is a historic riverside town with excellent transport links: 30 minutes by train to London Paddington, under an hour to Waterloo, and just 20 minutes to Heathrow. The team enjoys a relaxed social scene with regular pub visits, BBQs, dog walks, and a proper Christmas celebration.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct routine consultations and perform routine and advanced surgery across small animal, and occasional farm/equine cases (95% small animal caseload)
• Share consulting and surgical responsibilities with five other vets, ensuring varied exposure to medicine, diagnostics, and procedural work
• Participate in on-call telephone support on late-shift days (1:00–9:00 pm) after consulting hours end
• Provide weekend consulting cover on Saturday mornings (8:30 am–12:00 pm) and Sunday mornings (10:00 am–11:00 am), with on-call until 5:00 pm
• Work across all three sites, supporting the hospital’s multi-location operations
• Maintain high clinical standards using modern equipment and techniques, with focus on in-house case management

Requirements

• Completed VetGDP (Veterinary Graduate Development Programme)
• Confident with routine consultations and routine surgery
• Valid UK driving licence (essential – you’ll work across three sites)
• Willingness to work within a team-based consulting and surgical schedule
• Interest in continuing professional development and pursuing clinical interests

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000–£55,000, depending on experience
• Working pattern: 4-day week, most shifts 8:00–8:30 am to 5:30–6:30 pm, plus one late shift per week (1:00–9:00 pm)
• Out-of-hours: 1 in 5 weekends; no overnight on-call (emergencies transfer to Vets Now after 9:00 pm weekdays, 5:00 pm weekends)
• Holiday: 22 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Professional development: CPD encouraged and certificates fully supported; all RCVS, VDS, and BSAVA professional fees paid
• Health & wellbeing: Private medical insurance; perks scheme covering eye tests, therapies, and dental treatment contributions
• Practical: Business mileage reimbursed; free on-site parking at Windsor hospital

About the Practice

Forest House is a truly independent veterinary hospital established in Windsor in 1868, making it one of the first UK practices to achieve veterinary hospital status (1970s). The practice operates three locations – a main hospital in Windsor, plus branch surgeries in Ascot and Egham – serving small animal, farm, and equine clients across Berkshire.

The team is notably stable, with many staff members having worked here for 10+ years and some for over 20 years. The hospital is equipped with excellent facilities: bright prep room, two theatres (one dedicated to orthopaedics), imaging suite with ultrasound and digital/dental X-ray, separate cat and dog facilities, four consult rooms, and a garden space. Clinical staff include six veterinary surgeons (ranging from recent graduates to experienced practitioners with special interests in surgery, medicine, exotics, and imaging) and 10 nursing staff (5 RVNs, 5 SVNs). The practice’s independence allows it to prioritise progressive decision-making, invest in modern equipment, and foster a supportive culture where fresh ideas are valued.