Senior Veterinary Surgeon Clinical Lead

About the Role

Valley Vets is recruiting an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon to join its 24/7 hospital team in a role that blends hands-on clinical work with leadership. You will remain closely involved in day-to-day casework while also helping guide clinical standards, support colleagues and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

The caseload is varied, bringing together first-opinion work, hospital medicine, surgery, inpatient care and emergency work. As the out-of-hours provider for around 40 local practices, the hospital offers a broad and busy caseload with plenty of opportunity to develop your clinical interests.

The working pattern is up to 4 days per week, with 38 hours across those 4 days. The rota also includes one 9-hour weekend shift every fifth weekend, mainly consulting, plus one 12-hour bank holiday shift per year. Flexible working options are considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical input across a diverse small animal hospital caseload
• Deliver patient care across first-opinion work, hospital medicine, surgery, inpatient care and emergency work
• Help shape clinical standards and contribute to ongoing improvement within the practice
• Support the development of colleagues through mentoring and guidance
• Work collaboratively within a hospital team that includes experienced veterinary colleagues, RVNs, ACAs and reception staff
• Take protected time for administrative and leadership responsibilities, which are expected to account for around 10% of the working week

Requirements

• Significant small animal hospital experience
• Confidence managing a varied medical and surgical caseload
• Interest in mentoring and supporting colleagues
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• A collaborative approach to hospital work
• Commitment to outstanding patient and client care

Benefits

• Salary up to £75,000 dependent on experience
• Up to 4 days per week, 38 hours over 4 days
• One 9-hour weekend shift every fifth weekend, mainly consulting
• One 12-hour bank holiday shift per year
• 6.6 weeks paid holiday including bank holidays
• £1,750 CPD allowance and 5 days CPD per annum
• Health Cash Plan
• RCVS membership paid plus two other membership subscriptions
• VDS cover
• Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and surrogacy pay
• Discounted veterinary fees
• Shopping, travel and entertainment discounts plus cashback offers
• Cycle to Work scheme
• CPD and training support
• Company sick pay
• Colleague engagement survey
• Annual pay reviews
• Employee wellbeing focus
• Career progression opportunities
• Relocation allowance for candidates applying directly

About the Practice

Valley Vets is a well-established, RCVS-accredited small animal hospital and part of the VetPartners group. The hospital invests in people and facilities, with a team structure that includes experienced veterinary colleagues, a large RVN and ACA team, and a dedicated reception team.

Facilities listed in the advert include 24/7 inpatient care, a CT scanner, advanced ultrasonography, endosurgery facilities, extensive in-house laboratory equipment including TEG and blood gas analysis, dedicated orthopaedic, soft tissue and exotic theatres, dedicated ECC wards, a modern dental suite, and in-house rehabilitation services including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.