At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide top-notch veterinary care and develop your clinical skills.
- Company: Be part of Linnaeus, a leading family-owned veterinary company.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while shaping the future of our practice.
- Qualifications: 2+ years UK clinical experience and a passion for pet care.
- Other info: Dynamic roles with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Potters Bar, Berkhamsted & St Albans Hospital (Hertfordshire)
Practice: Village Vets
Hours: 42 hours per week across 4 days, including weekends (either 1 in 3 Saturdays or 1 full weekend out of 6, with time off in lieu)
Salary: Up to £60,000 per year + bonus scheme, plus relocation support available for direct candidates
We have three exciting roles across Hertfordshire Village Vets that give you the best of both worlds: the intimacy and continuity of branch life, and exposure to complex hospital cases to develop your clinical skills. You’ll join supportive teams, work in modern facilities, and have the opportunity to make your mark on a practice. These roles are perfect for vets who want variety, professional development, and a chance to shape a branch while enjoying loyal and engaged client communities.
Why join us?
- Mix of consult-heavy branch days and hospital exposure, giving a balanced and varied working week
- Opportunity to develop an array of clinical and client skills, including surgery, diagnostics, and ECC
- Modern, well-equipped facilities with theatre, dental, x-ray, and kennels
- Supportive, collaborative teams that value staff voice and professional development
- Be part of growing branches where you can shape the practice, influence culture, and leave your mark
Team and Practice
Potters Bar - 2 Positions
Our Potters Bar team includes 2 RVNs and 2 Client Care Assistants who are highly capable, kind, and dedicated. The branch is being refurbished and will reopen in June with a brand-new client area, fully equipped consult rooms, and modern colleague facilities. This is a rare opportunity to join a practice having a full revamp and with no current vets, allowing you to influence systems, shape the culture, grow the practice your way, and build strong relationships with a diverse, loyal, and insured client base. Clients value continuity of care and are passionate about their pets, creating a warm, engaging environment for your work. With 3 days at the branch and 1 day at St Albans Hospital, you’ll enjoy the perfect balance of consult-heavy branch days and exposure to more complex hospital cases. Potters Bar is suburban yet very well connected, with trains to Kings Cross and Central London in under 25 minutes, and a close-knit community of families, professionals, and long-term residents.
Berkhamsted - 1 Position
The Berkhamsted team is stable and supportive, consisting of 2 vets (one with an exotics certificate and one working towards this), 4 RVNs, and 4 Client Care Assistants. You’ll spend 2 days per week at the branch providing first opinion care to an affluent, loyal client base (mostly insured), and 2 days at St Albans Hospital developing your hospital skills. Given the existing exotic expertise, the ideal candidate will have a bias towards dogs and cats. Berkhamsted is a picturesque town on the edge of the Chilterns, with countryside views, historic charm, and a welcoming community. It’s a great location for those wanting a mix of rural beauty and convenient transport links.
St Albans Hospital
At St Albans, you’ll join an experienced hospital team and gain exposure to complex cases, advanced diagnostics, and ECC, alongside certificate holders in dentistry, ophthalmology, surgery, and medicine. The hospital has a dedicated night team, so there are no out-of-hours responsibilities. The one-day hospital placement complements the branch work, giving you the best of both worlds: the personal feel of branch practice and the clinical challenge of a busy hospital.
What we’re looking for
- 2+ years UK clinical experience
- Confident with routine first opinion practice
- Enjoy building relationships with clients and their pets
- Keen to develop hospital skills, surgery, diagnostics, and ECC
- Collaborative, supportive, and team-focused
- Excited by the opportunity to help shape and grow a branch practice
What we offer
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- External CPD funded
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- E-car salary sacrifice scheme
- Employer contribution pension scheme
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
- Wellness program including: Employee assistance program, Eyecare voucher scheme, Free annual Flu jab, Cycle to work scheme
About Us
Spinney Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.
At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best - care for pets.
We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.
If you would like to apply for the role or for an informal chat to discuss it further, please get in touch with Joanne in the recruitment team joanne.gray@linnaeusgroup.co.uk
Veterinary Surgeon — Branch & Hospital Practice in St Albans employer: Linnaeus
Contact Detail:
Linnaeus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon — Branch & Hospital Practice in St Albans
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the practice! Research Village Vets and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission and community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local veterinary events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. Be ready to discuss your clinical skills and how you can contribute to shaping the practice.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon — Branch & Hospital Practice in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match what we're looking for. Highlight your clinical experience, especially in first opinion practice, and any special skills you have in surgery or diagnostics.
Craft a Personal Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality! Share why you're excited about joining our team and how you can contribute to shaping our branch practice. Be genuine and let your passion for veterinary care shine through.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We value collaboration, so mention any experiences where you've worked well in a team. Whether it's in a clinical setting or community involvement, showing us that you're a team player will definitely make you stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and can get back to you promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Linnaeus
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially around first opinion practice and any specific areas mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with common procedures, diagnostics, and emergency care practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for veterinary medicine and your desire to build relationships with clients and their pets. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to animal care and how you’ve positively impacted pet owners in the past.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions about the practice, team dynamics, and opportunities for professional development. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role and helps you gauge if the practice is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Let your personality shine through during the interview. The practice values a supportive and collaborative environment, so being authentic and showing your interpersonal skills can help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you’d be a great addition to their team.