Job Description

Job Title Lead Vet

Practice Village Vet Berkhamsted & St Albans Hospital
Location Hertfordshire
Role Type Permanent, Full-Time

Hours 42 hours per week across 4 days, including weekends (either 1 in 3 Saturdays or 1 full weekend in 6, with time off in lieu)

Salary Up to £75,000 per annum DOE + relocation support available for direct candidates

Are you an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking for your next step into a leadership role, whilst still maintaining a varied and rewarding clinical caseload?

At Village Vet Berkhamsted, we’re looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our established and supportive team, combining the opportunity to shape and influence a thriving first opinion practice with a real leadership responsibility while still remaining hands-on clinically.

Why Join Us?
• Competitive salary of up to £75,000 DOE plus relocation support available for direct candidates
• A genuine leadership opportunity with autonomy and influence whilst remaining hands-on clinically
• Strong, stable and supportive team environment with experienced colleagues around you
• Join part of a larger network of practices across Hertfordshire and London with collaborative working possibilities available

Team and Practice
You’ll join an established, stable and genuinely supportive team environment. The Berkhamsted team currently consists of:

• 1 Veterinary Surgeon (currently working towards an exotic certificate)
• 4 Registered Veterinary Nurses
• 4 Client Care Assistants

Given the existing exotics expertise within the team, we are particularly interested in candidates with a stronger bias towards dogs and cats who can complement the current clinical offering.

You’ll also become part of the wider Village Vet and St Albans Hospital teams, giving access to additional clinical support, collaboration and learning opportunities.

Village Vet Berkhamsted offers a loyal and affluent client base with a high proportion of insured patients, allowing vets the opportunity to work cases up thoroughly and practice high-quality medicine. Working alongside St Albans Hospital provides access to a broader caseload, additional equipment, experienced colleagues and a hospital environment that supports ongoing development.

This combination creates an ideal role for someone looking for both autonomy and clinical progression.

Berkhamsted offers the perfect combination of countryside living and excellent connectivity.

Located on the edge of the Chilterns, Berkhamsted combines historic charm, countryside views and a thriving community atmosphere, whilst still offering convenient transport links into London and surrounding areas.

For candidates looking for a better work-life balance without sacrificing accessibility, Berkhamsted offers an excellent lifestyle opportunity.

What we’re looking for:

• Solid UK GP experience (min 5 years), confident managing routine medical and surgical cases independently
• Comfortable taking ownership, making clinical decisions and providing leadership within a practice environment
• Enjoys mentoring, supporting and collaborating with colleagues to help create a positive team culture
• Excellent communication skills and enjoys building strong, long-term client relationships
• Stronger interest in companion animal medicine and surgery, particularly dogs and cats
• Passionate about delivering high standards of patient and client care

Previous leadership experience is welcomed but not essential for candidates ready to take the next step into a Lead position.

What we offer 

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave  

• RCVS and VDS fees paid  

• External CPD funded  

• Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program  

• Career progression opportunities  

• Staff discount schemes  

• Life Assurance  

• Enhanced sickness pay  

• Enhanced equal family leave  

• E-car salary sacrifice scheme  

• Employer contribution pension scheme   

• Recruitment referral reward scheme  

• Wellness program including:   

• Employee assistance program  

• Eyecare voucher scheme  

• Free annual Flu jab  

• Cycle to work scheme  

About Us

Village Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.

We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.

If you would like to apply for the role or for an informal chat to discuss it further, please get in touch with Joanne in the recruitment team joanne.gray@linnaeusgroup.co.uk

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