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- Tasks: Provide top-notch veterinary care and perform surgeries in a supportive environment.
- Company: Join Chess Veterinary Clinic, a trusted practice with over 75 years of community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, CPD opportunities, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while enjoying a balanced work-life.
- Qualifications: Minimum 3 years small animal experience and confidence in consults and surgery.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Rickmansworth & Chorleywood, Hertfordshire
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Practice: Chess Veterinary Clinic
Salary: £45,000–£65,000 DOE
Are you an experienced small animal vet looking for a role where you can practice medicine properly, with time to work up cases and a genuine surgical caseload? Chess Veterinary Clinic offers a stable, supportive environment with loyal clients, experienced colleagues, a quaint practice building, and excellent facilities. This is a role where your clinical opinion is valued, your development is encouraged, and your work‑life balance is protected.
Why join us?
- Wonderfully balanced days with a surgical caseload of 40–50%
- Loyal, largely insured client base that supports gold‑standard care
- Supportive, collaborative team with nurses with decade‑long tenures
- Structured, predictable rota: 40 hours/week, 1 in 4 Saturdays (1pm–6pm)
- Real opportunity to hone imaging skills
The practice & team
Chess Veterinary Clinic has been serving the Hertfordshire community for over 75 years, building trusted relationships with generations of clients. You’ll be primarily based at our Rickmansworth site, a charming, characterful practice set in a converted stable, and will spend 1–2 days per week at our Chorleywood branch, which features a large consult room, spacious waiting area, and recently refurbished facilities. Both sites are fully equipped to support high‑quality medicine, with an in‑house laboratory for thyroid, cPLI, cortisol, routine haematology and biochemistry testing, digital radiography including dental imaging, ultrasound for abdominal and cardiac scans, endoscopy equipment, a dedicated theatre, and a separate area for dentals and ultrasonography. Our experienced team includes a Nursing Manager with 14 years in practice, RVNs with over a decade of experience, a practice manager who is also an RVN, and long‑standing reception staff. The team is welcoming, collaborative, and supportive, with a culture of open case discussion. The practice is located in an affluent area with excellent access to London, near the Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Chorleywood Common, offering a mix of village charm, countryside walks, and cafes for a great work‑life balance.
What we’re looking for
- Solid small animal GP experience – minimum 3 years UK
- Confidence in both consults and surgery
- Enjoys working up cases fully rather than referring early
- Interest in developing imaging or endoscopy skills
- Values collaboration and open case discussion
- Pride in delivering high standards of patient care
- Ability to work full‑time within a structured rota
Benefits
- 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
- RCVS & VDS fees paid
- CPD allowance and 4 days each year to attend events plus Linnaeus CPD Programme (including certificate holder level CPD)
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programme
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- E-car salary sacrifice scheme
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
- Wellness program including: Employee assistance programme, Eyecare voucher scheme, Free annual Flu jab, Cycle to work scheme
Veterinary Surgeon in Rickmansworth employer: Cinque Ports Vets
Contact Detail:
Cinque Ports Vets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon in Rickmansworth
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with fellow vets and professionals in the field. Attend local veterinary events or join online forums to meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance for an interview, make sure to highlight your experience and skills confidently. Bring examples of cases you've worked on or any special techniques you’ve mastered. This is your time to shine and show why you’re the perfect fit for Chess Veterinary Clinic!
✨Ask Questions
During interviews, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the practice and team culture. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to learn more about how they value collaboration and patient care.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply directly through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see your application come through!
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon in Rickmansworth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match what we're looking for. Highlight your small animal GP experience and any specific surgical skills you have. We want to see how you can fit into our supportive team!
Craft a Personal Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality! Share why you're passionate about veterinary medicine and what excites you about joining Chess Veterinary Clinic. Let us know how you value collaboration and open case discussions.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t be shy about sharing your successes! Whether it’s a challenging case you worked on or a skill you’ve developed, we want to hear about it. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our practice.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cinque Ports Vets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your small animal medicine and surgery knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've worked on, showcasing your confidence in both consults and surgical procedures. This will demonstrate your experience and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since collaboration is key at Chess Veterinary Clinic, be ready to talk about your experiences working in a team. Share examples of how you've contributed to open case discussions and supported your colleagues. This will highlight your fit within their supportive environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice and its culture. Inquire about their approach to case management or how they support ongoing professional development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Emphasise Work-Life Balance
Chess Veterinary Clinic values work-life balance, so mention how you manage your time effectively. Discuss any strategies you use to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life, which aligns with their structured rota and supportive environment.