Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Forest House is looking for a well-rounded GP veterinary surgeon to join their established team in Windsor. This is a full-time permanent position offering a 4-day working week with a 1:5 weekend rota – a sustainable schedule built around work-life balance. You’ll work across their main hospital site in Windsor and two branch surgeries in Ascot and Egham (both about 15 minutes away), primarily based at the hospital. There’s no sole charge work here; you’ll always have senior colleagues alongside you, making this a genuinely collaborative environment where you can grow your skills and pursue special interests with full support.

The role suits vets who’ve completed their VetGDP and are confident with routine consultations and surgery, ready to take the next step in a team that values your ideas as much as your clinical skills. Windsor itself is a historic riverside town with excellent transport links – 30 minutes to London Paddington by train, 20 minutes to Heathrow, and plenty of green spaces and local amenities.

Rota & Schedule: Most shifts run 8:00–8:30 am to 5:30–6:30 pm, with one late shift per week (1:00–9:00 pm). Consulting runs until 8:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Windsor branch. Saturday consultations are 8:30 am–12:00 pm, and Sunday 10:00 am–11:00 am. No overnight on-call. After 9:00 pm weekdays and 5:00 pm weekends, emergencies transfer to Vets Now; on late-shift days, you’ll remain on-call by phone until 9:00 pm.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver first-opinion veterinary care with a varied caseload spanning medicine, surgery, and diagnostic workups
• Share consulting and surgical responsibilities across the team using shared case load management
• Manage consultations and surgical procedures at the main hospital and branch surgeries as part of the rota
• Provide weekend cover including Saturday and Sunday consultations and on-call duties until 5:00 pm
• Collaborate with a team of 5 RVNs and 5 SVNs, plus experienced reception and admin staff
• Work within a no-sole-charge environment, always supported by senior colleagues
• Pursue clinical development and certificates with full practice support

Requirements

• Completed VetGDP (or equivalent qualification demonstrating readiness for independent practice)
• Confidence and competence in routine veterinary consultations and general surgery
• Valid UK driving licence (required to work across three sites)
• Professional attitude and ability to work as part of a collaborative team

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000–£55,000 per annum depending on experience
• Work-life balance: 4-day working week, 1:5 weekend rota, no overnight on-call
• Leave: 22 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Professional development: CPD encouraged and certificates fully supported
• Professional fees: RCVS, VDS, and BSAVA memberships covered by the practice
• Health & wellbeing: Private medical insurance included
• Perks scheme: Eye tests, therapies, and money towards dental treatment
• Practical perks: Free on-site parking, business mileage reimbursed
• Team culture: Social events including pub trips, BBQs, dog walks, and Christmas celebrations

About the Practice

Forest House Veterinary Group is a truly independent practice established in Windsor over 150 years ago – one of the first veterinary hospitals in the UK, awarded hospital status back in the 1970s. The practice prides itself on stability; many team members have stayed for over 10 years, with some for 20+ years, reflecting a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and professional growth.

The hospital features excellent facilities enabling the team to keep most cases in-house: two fully equipped theatres (one dedicated to orthopaedics), bright prep room, imaging with ultrasound, digital and dental X-ray, separate cat and dog facilities, four consult rooms, and a relaxing garden. Recent investments include an Idexx Sedivue machine and laparoscopic equipment. The practice is staffed by experienced vets—Principal Martin (specialising in general surgery and orthopaedics), Alana (Small Animal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging certificates), Tom (exotics interest), Milinder (new graduate 2025), and Riya (medicine and diagnostic imaging focus)—supported by five RVNs and five SVNs. The practice operates a 24/7 emergency service with on-site nursing support and partnerships with Vets Now for overnight out-of-hours cover.