About the Role
This is a unique opportunity to combine the continuity and client relationships of branch practice with the clinical depth and advanced facilities of a hospital settingāall without sacrificing your work-life balance. You'll split your time between Forest Vets' Woodford branch and their Epping 24-hour hospital, working flexible full-time hours (5 Ć 8-hour days or 3 long days plus 1 short day).
Critically, there are no out-of-hours shifts. Your nights are covered by a dedicated night team, freeing you to focus on consults, surgery, and advanced cases during daylight hours. With a genuinely sustainable 1:11 weekend rota and TOIL in place, this role delivers the work-life balance many vets struggle to find in hospital settings.
The Woodford location sits at the edge of Epping Forestā2,400 hectares of ancient woodland perfect for walking, cycling, and wildlifeācombining the vibrant local life of North Essex with excellent London transport links and leafy green space.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a 50/50 split between consults and routine surgery across the Woodford branch and Epping hospital
- Build client relationships and provide continuity of care at the Woodford branch, which operates with digital x-ray, ultrasound, dental x-ray, and in-house lab
- Utilise advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities at EppingāCT, MRI, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, and a dedicated dental suiteāto work cases at a higher clinical level than typical first opinion practice
- Collaborate with multiple RVNs across both sites and benefit from structured hospital-level support
- Participate in regular clinical meetings and in-house journal club to drive continuous learning and case discussion
- Manage some sole charge work at the branch, backed by a highly connected and supportive wider team of 17 vets
- Access radioactive iodine treatment cases at the refurbished Harlow site to expand your clinical exposure
Requirements
- RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with a minimum of 3 years' UK small animal experience
- Confident managing a mix of consultations and routine surgery
- Comfortable working some sole charge shifts
- Keen to develop clinically and pursue certificate qualifications (ophthalmology, dermatology, internal medicine, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, or surgery)
- Team player who values collaboration and shared learning
Benefits
- Time Off: 5 weeks' holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave; 1:11 weekend rota with TOIL; zero out-of-hours shifts
- Professional Development: CPD allowance and 4 days per year to attend events; extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programme (including certificate holder level); clear, supported pathway to certificates
- Fees & Membership: RCVS & VDS fees paid
- Health & Wellbeing: Enhanced sickness pay; enhanced equal family leave; employee assistance programme; free annual flu jab; eyecare voucher scheme; comprehensive wellness programme
- Financial & Lifestyle: Life assurance; e-car salary sacrifice scheme; cycle to work scheme; staff discount schemes
- Career Growth: Career progression opportunities within Linnaeus group; access to huge network of specialists; worldwide development opportunities
- Other: Recruitment referral reward scheme
About the Practice
Forest Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Linnaeus is a forward-thinking partnership of primary care and referral practices across the UK and Ireland, carefully selected to ensure the highest levels of patient care. The wider team comprises 17 vetsā14 day vets and 3 night vetsāincluding certificate holders across ophthalmology, dermatology, internal medicine, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, and surgery, creating a genuinely rich clinical environment where case discussion and collaboration are everyday practice.
The Woodford branch is a busy, well-equipped first opinion practice offering digital x-ray, ultrasound, dental x-ray, and in-house laboratory facilities. The Epping 24-hour hospital is a key differentiator, equipped with CT, MRI, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, and a dedicated dental suite, supported by multiple RVNs on shift. Radioactive iodine treatment is available at the refurbished Harlow site. Being privately owned by Mars Veterinary Health, the group is driven by its purposeā"A Better World for Pets"āprioritising long-term thinking over short-term profits. With over 6,000 associates, Linnaeus empowers vets to speak up, step up, and deliver quality care while accessing a comprehensive, accessible wellbeing package that prioritises both physical and mental health.
