At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch veterinary care and support to small animals in a friendly environment.
- Company: Join a well-established, independent veterinary hospital with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and fully funded certificates.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful location with great team spirit and outdoor activities.
- Why this job: Experience clinical freedom and hands-on support while making a real difference.
- Qualifications: Veterinary degree and passion for animal care required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 72000 £ per year.
Are you looking for clinical freedom, real support and a 3.5-day week? Bishop’s Stortford Vets, an independent, 16-vet small animal hospital in beautiful Hertfordshire, has been part of the community for over 120 years. We achieved RCVS-accredited status in 1985 and continually invest in the latest equipment and training to provide the highest standards of patient and client care.
Our friendly, close-knit team has many years of experience, enabling us to handle and manage the majority of cases in-house, including most soft-tissue surgeries and orthopaedics. We also have exciting plans ahead, with an extensive refurbishment on the way.
Our Team
We have a wide range of interests within the team:
- Neil is passionate about both orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery and is always happy to help with unusual or tricky cases.
- Ruth has a small animal internal medicine certificate and enjoys cardiac ultrasound.
- Poppy has completed her surgery certificate and is also leading our drive to become more sustainable.
- Rachael holds an ECC certificate, bringing valuable expertise in emergency and critical care to the team.
- Suzie is currently working towards her surgery certificate, while Henry is pursuing a medicine certificate.
- Rosemary is interested in behaviour and is our go‑to person for these sometimes‑tricky cases.
- Freya is exploring a certificate in hospice and palliative care.
- Sarah, Olly, Chloe, Kate, Ruth, Sam and Aphra complete our clinical team along with Lauren, our VetGDP advisor, who is supporting our new graduate, Georgia.
We have a superb nursing team of 29 RVNs, SVNs, and ACAs and an excellent admin team who keep everything running smoothly. We are also fortunate to have the expertise of our in‑house laboratory manager and a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist, enabling us to offer hydrotherapy onsite. On the rare occasion we need to refer, we benefit from having multiple referral hospitals within a 40‑minute drive of the practice.
The Kit
You’ll have access to everything you’d expect in a well‑equipped hospital:
- Digital x‑ray
- Doppler and high‑spec ultrasound
- Dental suite with dental X‑ray
- Flexible video‑endoscopy
- Laparoscopy (being introduced)
- Operating microscope & slit lamp
- ASIF kit
- Full in‑house lab
- Laser therapy & hydrotherapy
If there’s something you need, we’re open to investing in it. Our independence means we have the flexibility to make decisions based on clinical needs.
The Role
If you are a surgeon who has perhaps finished your Vet GDP but doesn’t want to lose support while you grow, this role could be exactly what you’re looking for. If there’s an area of veterinary medicine you’re already passionate about, or one you’re curious to explore, we’ve got the right mix of interesting cases, hands‑on support, and funding to help you take that next step, including starting a certificate if that’s where you’re headed.
You’ll be working alongside a great bunch of people in a practice where sharing knowledge and supporting each other is just part of daily life. Our partners are hands‑on clinicians, always available for a second opinion, to scrub in with you, or to talk through a tricky case. There is always someone to support you both clinically and practically.
Our daily schedule is designed with support in mind, with a minimum of three vets for consultations and two on ops each day, so you’re never without a second opinion (or a spare pair of hands). We also have an active clinical WhatsApp group for vets and hold regular in‑house CPD sessions, so there’s always something new to learn and someone to learn it with.
The Rota
Full‑time for this role is a 3.5‑day week. For seven weeks out of nine, you’ll finish at 1 pm once a week — effectively giving you a 3.5‑day week. The remaining two weeks have a 5 pm early finish. We provide our own out‑of‑hours care, which means:
- You follow your cases through
- You build confidence faster
- You’re never left without backup
- An RVN is on‑site 24/7 for inpatient care.
We’ve split the OOH weekends so nobody works a full weekend on call (equivalent to 1:9). This approach has significantly improved work‑life balance across the team. There is accommodation available in a separate flat during on‑call if preferred.
What We’re Offering
- Salary of £42,000 to £82,000
- Certificates fully funded and encouraged
- Relocation package up to £3,000
- Five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Company pension
- Visa sponsorship available
- Option of sabbaticals
- Bring your dog to work
Location
Bishops Stortford is a pretty market town, with plenty of cafés, restaurants and great schools, all surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. Many team members have dogs, so we have our own ‘doggie work team’ that joins in practice and on walks during breaks. The practice is also just across the road from the local leisure centre for those who want a swim or workout before or after work, plus a large park for lunchtime walks. We enjoy getting together as a team and are busy organising our summer BBQ. The area offers many outdoor activities, such as cycling, walking, open‑water swimming, and fishing at nearby lakes, not to mention that we’re just over an hour from the Essex coast.
There are excellent rail links, with a direct train service to London Liverpool Street that takes approximately 45 minutes, one to Cambridge that takes 30 minutes, and Stansted Airport is just 15 minutes away. So, keen travellers will find it easy to jet off for a weekend getaway.
Interested?
If you’re looking for a supportive, forward‑thinking hospital with a friendly team that will help you develop your skills and career, we’d love to hear from you. Call us for an informal chat or apply now.
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Essex employer: Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital
Bishop’s Stortford Vets is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where clinical freedom thrives. With a commitment to employee growth through funded certificates and a flexible 3.5-day work week, our team enjoys a healthy work-life balance while being part of a close-knit community in the picturesque Hertfordshire area. The practice's investment in state-of-the-art equipment and ongoing training ensures that our staff can provide the highest standards of care, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your veterinary career.
Contact Details:
Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Essex
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital.
