At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a veterinary team while enjoying hands-on medicine and surgery.
- Company: Supportive practice in beautiful Northumberland with a strong team culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation allowance, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant community with access to nature and city life.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while mentoring and developing your team.
- Qualifications: Experienced veterinary surgeon with strong clinical skills and a passion for coaching.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.
Northumberland
£70,000 per annum, depending on experience
Permanent, on-site | 37.5–40 hours across four days, with other options available
Re-location allowance
Visa sponsorship available, must have UK experience
Lead a first-opinion practice while keeping the clinical work you enjoy at the heart of your role. This Head Veterinary Surgeon position combines hands-on medicine, surgery and emergency care with the opportunity to develop colleagues, influence services and shape the future of a well-equipped practice. The employer offers a supportive team culture, funded development and access to clinical expertise when you need it. For an experienced veterinary surgeon who enjoys mentoring others, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to both patient outcomes and the people delivering care.
Your role
- You’ll lead, motivate and support the veterinary team, setting high clinical standards and delivering compassionate patient and client care in line with best practice and RCVS guidelines.
- Alongside managing surgical, medical and emergency cases, you’ll encourage progressive techniques and practical improvements that enhance outcomes.
- Working closely with the Practice Manager, you’ll contribute to strategic planning, service development, budgeting, financial planning and improvements to the client experience.
- Your people-management responsibilities will include regular check-ins, competency assessments, salary discussions and collaborative rota planning.
- Building trusting relationships will be central to your work, whether you’re supporting a colleague through a challenging case or helping a client understand their pet’s treatment options.
Clinical support and practice life
The practice is staffed around the clock to support hospitalised inpatient care and an out-of-hours service. Clinical resources include a visiting diagnostic imager, dermatology and referral dentistry services, alongside colleagues holding emergency and critical care and internal medicine certificates. You’ll also have access to telemedicine specialists, an advanced clinical support network and regional clinical leads for case advice and mentoring. Central operational teams provide support across HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance and procurement, backed by wider investment in practice facilities. The experienced team enjoys regular meals out, brunches and dog walks. The practice has accessible facilities and parking, with Northumberland’s coast and countryside within reach, as well as access to Newcastle and Edinburgh.
About you
You’ll bring strong clinical capability and experience as a veterinary surgeon, with confidence across medicine, surgery and emergency cases. Just as importantly, you’ll enjoy coaching colleagues and helping them develop their confidence and skills. A proactive, solutions-focused approach, resilience and compassionate communication will help you succeed. You’ll be comfortable balancing clinical leadership, team development and the commercial considerations involved in running a practice.
Your package and development
Alongside the salary, the package includes re-location allowance, fully paid RCVS and VDS fees, a generous CPD allowance, access to a clinical library and more than 450 courses. Certificates are encouraged, with fully funded postgraduate qualifications, including CertAVP and PgCert, covering tuition, examinations and study leave. Benefits also include up to 33 days’ holiday with buy/sell options, a pension scheme, a health cash plan, an Employee Assistance Programme and enhanced family leave. Wellbeing support includes regular manager check-ins, wellbeing champions, pastoral veterinary support and personal mentors. Staff pet-care discounts include 50% off services, plus discounts on pet food and medications.
Head Veterinary Surgeon employer: BVLGBT
Join a supportive and progressive veterinary practice in Hampshire, where you can truly focus on your passion for animal care. With a four-day working week, no out-of-hours duties, and a commitment to professional development, including a generous CPD allowance and access to extensive resources, this role offers the perfect balance of work and life. Enjoy a collaborative environment with experienced colleagues, modern facilities, and the time to engage deeply with your cases and clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Veterinary Surgeon
✨Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
Dive into local health initiatives or volunteer at community health events. This not only boosts your practical experience but also gets you noticed among professionals in human medicine who may have leads on full-time positions like Head Veterinary Surgeon at BVLGBT.
✨Connect with Professionals via Medical Associations
Join professional associations related to human medicine, such as the Royal College of Physicians. Attend their conferences and networking events to meet potential employers in a relaxed setting. Who knows, you might just bump into someone from BVLGBT!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise Online
Build a personal website or a professional blog where you can share your insights on human medicine topics. This portfolio can catch the eye of recruiters looking for dedicated individuals for full-time roles like Head Veterinary Surgeon.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re still in or recently graduated from university, don’t hesitate to use your career services. They often have exclusive listings and contacts in the human medicine field that can help you land a full-time gig at places like BVLGBT.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Head Veterinary Surgeon at BVLGBT, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Head Veterinary Surgeon at BVLGBT. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like BVLGBT will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at BVLGBT
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
