At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in delivering exceptional veterinary care and clinical excellence.
- Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to healthier animals and happier owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, relocation allowance, generous holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with clear career pathways and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal health while growing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Veterinary degree, RCVS registration, and strong experience in small animal practice required.
The predicted salary is between 51975 - 63525 £ per year.
Salary up to £80,000 plus Relocation Allowance up to £5,000
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.
Highcroft Vets is a modern and well-equipped small animal practice with a strong reputation for delivering high standards of patient and client care within the local community.
We pride ourselves on providing a calm, welcoming and professional environment for colleagues, clients and patients alike.
You’ll enjoy a varied first opinion caseload with a balanced mix of consulting and surgery, working within an experienced team of three Veterinary Surgeons who are always willing to share knowledge and provide guidance.
Whether you are an experienced vet or looking to further develop your skills within a supportive environment, this role offers an excellent platform to grow and thrive clinically.
We operate across two sites, Hailsham and Polegate.
- Practice Highlights
- Hailsham (Main Practice)
- Spacious consulting rooms
- Radiology suite with digital X-ray and ultrasound
- Dedicated dental suite with dental X-ray
- Full in-house IDEXX laboratory, including Lasercyte
- Surgical theatre with operating microscope, blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry and capnography
- Ophthalmology equipment, including Tonopen
- Separate dog and cat wards
- Large secure garden area for inpatients
- Polegate (Wellness & Vaccination Clinic)
- Located just 4 miles away
- Focused on preventative healthcare and routine 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.
- Working Pattern
- Up to 40 hours per week across both our Hailsham and Polegate practices
- Shifts are worked on a rota basis and issued 12 weeks in advance
- Typical shift pattern is 8:00am–7:00pm
- No out-of-hours commitment
Key Responsibilities
- Lead clinical standards and governance across the practice
- Support and develop the veterinary team through coaching and mentorship
- Oversee complex medical and surgical cases
- Contribute to practice operations and financial performance
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and clinical excellence
- Support team engagement, communication and development
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 animal practice and strong medical and surgical capability
- Proven experience 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 and 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 and 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.
Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Hailsham employer: Ivc
Ivc is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and forward-thinking work culture at the Abbey Vet Clinic in Montrose. With flexible hours and a commitment to career growth, employees can enjoy clinical freedom while managing a varied caseload in a well-equipped practice near the stunning Angus coastline. We prioritise individual development and invest in our team's future, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Hailsham
✨Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Hailsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal at Ivc, 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 Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal at Ivc. 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 Ivc will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ivc
✨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.
