At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop clinical skills in a supportive veterinary practice.
- Company: Progressive small animal and exotic veterinary practice in Durham.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, CPD support, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant location with access to stunning outdoor adventures.
- Why this job: Shape your career while making a real impact on animal care.
- Qualifications: Experienced Veterinary Surgeon with leadership aspirations.
The predicted salary is between 45293 - 55359 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking to take the next step in your career? Or perhaps you're already working as a Senior Veterinary Surgeon and looking for a role where you can develop your clinical interests while helping shape a supportive and progressive team? This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative small animal and exotic veterinary practice in Durham, where your individual skills, interests and career ambitions are genuinely valued.
The Role
The practice is ideally looking for a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, but would also welcome applications from experienced Veterinary Surgeons who are ready to take the next step into a senior or leadership position. The role offers excellent scope to develop your career in whichever direction interests you most, whether that's through advanced clinical work, certificate-level development or non-clinical leadership.
You'll have the opportunity to:
- Develop a clinical area you're passionate about
- Have a certificate funded in an area of interest
- Build leadership and management skills
- Mentor and support developing members of the veterinary team
- Work alongside vets with interests in exotics, feline medicine, dermatology, advanced medicine, soft tissue surgery and orthopaedic surgery
- Contribute to a collaborative approach to patient care
- Help shape and develop the growing veterinary team
The practice has an open and inclusive culture, recognising the unique skills each vet brings and providing the support and clinical freedom needed to thrive.
Hours & Work-Life Balance
Flexibility is a key part of the role, with a wide range of full-time and part-time working options available. Flexible arrangements can include:
- Full-time or part-time hours
- School-hours working
- Flexible working patterns
- Block working arrangements with larger gaps between working periods
The standard full-time pattern is: 4 x 9-hour days, 1 weekend in 4 – Saturday only, No on-call.
Salary
Senior Veterinary Surgeon: £60,000–£72,000 DOE. This salary range is aimed at experienced vets with additional skills and the potential to contribute to the practice in a management or leadership capacity.
Experienced Veterinary Surgeon: £50,000–£67,000 DOE. Salary will depend on experience, skillset and additional qualifications, including postgraduate qualifications or experience as a VetGDP Advisor. Salary based on a 40-hour week and pro rata for part-time hours.
About You
We're looking for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon who is passionate about delivering excellent patient care and keen to develop their career. You may be:
- An established Senior Veterinary Surgeon
- An experienced Vet ready to take the next step
- A vet with advanced clinical skills or postgraduate qualifications
- Someone interested in developing their leadership and management skills
- A confident clinician keen to mentor and support colleagues
Most importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys working collaboratively and sharing knowledge with the wider veterinary team.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a practice that genuinely invests in its people and provides the freedom to shape your career. You'll benefit from:
- £1,750 annual CPD allowance
- CPD and certificate training support
- RCVS membership paid plus two additional professional subscriptions
- VDS cover
- 6.6 weeks' paid holiday, including bank holidays
- Health Cash Plan
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Company sick pay
- Annual pay reviews
- Career progression opportunities
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment
- Focus on employee wellbeing
Location – Durham
Based in the historic cathedral city of Durham, you'll have easy access to Newcastle upon Tyne and excellent transport connections via the A1(M) and East Coast Main Line. The location is ideal for those who enjoy exploring the outdoors, with the Northumberland National Park, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and Lake District all within easy reach. The beautiful North East coastline is also close by. With excellent transport links, access to Newcastle and surrounding countryside, Durham offers a fantastic balance between career opportunities and quality of life.
Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours employer: Chattyvets
Chattyvets in Colchester is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its team members while fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture. With a unique opportunity for Veterinary Surgeons to transition into co-ownership, employees benefit from clinical leadership roles, profit-sharing, and equity growth, all within a community-focused environment that values high standards of care and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours
✨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 Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours at Chattyvets.
✨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 Chattyvets!
✨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 Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours.
✨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 Chattyvets.
We think you need these skills to ace Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours at Chattyvets, 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 Experienced/Senior Vet Surgeon – Progression Opportunities – Flexible Hours at Chattyvets. 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 Chattyvets will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chattyvets
✨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.
