At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of vets while providing hands-on clinical care and shaping practice standards.
- Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to healthier animals and happier owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks holiday, private medical insurance, and a £1,250 annual Care Fund.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with clear career pathways and ongoing professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in veterinary care while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a veterinary degree, RCVS registration, and strong clinical expertise.
The predicted salary is between 45293 - 55359 £ per year.
At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do.
As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.
Axe Valley Vets is a six site, highly respected small animal practice set in semi-rural Somerset.
If you’re an experienced vet ready to shape the future of a well-established practice while continuing hands-on work, this could be the perfect next step with the support of an experienced management team.
This role offers the best of both worlds.
Around 80% of your time will be spent in practice, working across a varied and rewarding caseload, from consults to surgery.
Alongside this, you will play a key leadership role, supporting and developing your colleagues, guiding clinical discussions and helping to build confidence in less experienced vets and new graduates.
You’ll also have the opportunity to influence how the practice grows and evolves, contributing to clinical standards, continuous improvement and a strong, collaborative culture across our busy sites.
You’ll be joining a genuinely friendly, experienced and supportive team of vets, RVNs and client care colleagues who enjoy working together and supporting one another.
The practice is well equipped with digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy and multiparameter monitoring, giving you everything you need to deliver high-quality care.
We are also having a considerable refurbishment at our main site in Blackford in October 2026.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a true leadership role while staying close to what you love most, delivering excellent clinical care.
How You’ll Make a Difference
As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you will be the most senior veterinary clinician within the practice, responsible for leading clinical standards, governance, and the delivery of outstanding patient and client care.
You’ll provide clinical leadership to the veterinary team, oversee complex cases, and act as the primary source of clinical guidance and decision-making within the practice.
Working closely with the senior practice leadership team, you’ll support the strategic direction of the practice and drive continuous improvement in clinical quality, outcomes, and ways of working.
- Responsibilites and working hours
- We are looking for a senior operational leader with strong commercial acumen and a people-centred leadership approach.
- Proven experience in a senior or leadership role within veterinary practice
- Strong clinical expertise with the confidence to support complex case discussions and decision-making.
- A collaborative and people-focused leadership style, with experience mentoring and developing others.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Working 40 hours per week across either 4 or 5 days
- Working a share of 1:8 late vet and 1: 10 Saturdays
You’ll oversee clinical governance, quality improvement and performance across services, working closely with senior operational leaders to drive excellent patient outcomes, sustainable service delivery and a strong clinical culture.
This role combines strategic leadership with accountability for clinical standards, people development and continuous improvement.
This is an ideal role for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking to combine hands‑on clinical work with the chance to shape and lead a well-established practice.
You Might Be a Great Fit If...
You are a highly experienced veterinary surgeon with strong clinical expertise and a passion for leadership and clinical excellence. You’ll bring:
- A Veterinary degree and registration with the RCVS with significant experience in small or mixed animal practice, including advanced surgical and medical capability
- Proven experience in mentoring, coaching, and supporting veterinary colleagues
- Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
- Experience contributing to or leading clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
- The ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance in complex situations
- Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the highest standards of patient and client care
- How We’ll Support You
At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
- Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
- £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
- Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
- Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
- A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
What We Offer Our Team
- 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
- Private medical insurance
- Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
- BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
- Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
- Retail discounts and cashback offers
- Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information.
These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
- Up to £75,000 FTE DOE
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Wedmore employer: Inspiring Vet Care
Inspiring Vet Care in Scotland is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for the Director of Practice & Clinical Services to lead a dynamic team in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working patterns, and a commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The practice's dedication to high clinical standards and continuous improvement ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your contributions and fosters growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Wedmore
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We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Wedmore
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal at Inspiring Vet Care, 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 Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal at Inspiring Vet Care. 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 Inspiring Vet Care will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiring Vet Care
✨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.
