Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Location: Basildon, Essex
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), 1:4 Saturday clinics, no OOH or bank holidays
Practice: Cherrydown Vets, part of Linnaeus
Salary: Up to £60,000 DOE per annum
£5,000 welcome bonus for direct candidates
Cherrydown Vets is looking for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join its hospital-based team in Basildon. We're particularly keen to hear from vets with a passion for surgery who enjoy a varied first-opinion caseload and want to continue developing their clinical interests. With two operating theatres, a dedicated dental room and a collaborative team that encourages clinical development, this is an opportunity to build on your experience in a supportive environment.
Why join us
- A four-day working week: Enjoy 40 hours across four days, with 1:4 Saturday clinics and no out-of-hours or bank holiday commitments.
- A strong surgical focus: Make the most of a varied first-opinion caseload and dedicated operating facilities, with opportunities to develop your surgical interests.
- Facilities to support your clinical work: Two operating theatres, a dedicated dental room, digital X-ray, ultrasound and endoscopy facilities.
- Develop your clinical interests: Surgery and dentistry are particular areas of interest for the practice, with certificate development and further learning encouraged and supported.
- A collaborative team: Work alongside experienced clinical colleagues who value sharing knowledge, supporting one another and improving patient care.
- A voice in clinical development: Join a practice where ideas are welcomed and colleagues are encouraged to contribute to improvements in clinical procedures and patient standards.
- A focus on wellbeing: Cherrydown continues to develop its approach to staff recognition, mental health and menopause support.
The practice and team Cherrydown Vets is an established small animal veterinary practice with a history spanning more than 60 years. Its Basildon hospital is the central site for the wider Cherrydown group, which also has practices in Stanford-le-Hope and Wickford. The team provides primary care alongside orthopaedic referral work, offering a varied clinical environment and a broad range of cases. You'll be joining a team of five vets, working alongside an experienced nursing and patient care team. Collaboration is central to how the practice operates, with colleagues encouraged to share ideas, contribute to clinical improvements and support one another in delivering high standards of patient care. The Basildon hospital has two operating theatres and a dedicated dental room, alongside digital X-ray, ultrasound and endoscopy facilities. There is a particular opportunity for someone who enjoys surgery and wants to make this an important part of their clinical work. The team has existing experience in laparoscopy and endoscopy, providing opportunities to share knowledge and build on the clinical skills already within the practice. Dentistry is another area Cherrydown would be keen to develop, so an interest in expanding your experience in this area would be particularly welcome. More broadly, the practice encourages vets to pursue their clinical interests, with certificate development supported. You don't need to hold a certificate to be considered; enthusiasm, experience and a willingness to keep learning are what matter. Cherrydown has a collaborative, no-blame culture built around open conversations and continuous improvement. The nursing team plays an important role in shaping how the practice works, with ideas actively encouraged and changes implemented to improve patient care and clinical standards. This is reflected in the practice achieving cat-friendly status, driven by the dedication and initiative of two of its nurses. The team is also exploring the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund's rabbit-friendly award, continuing its commitment to improving the experience of patients and their owners. Cherrydown's vision is to be recognised as an exceptional and trusted provider of primary veterinary care to the communities it serves, with a commitment to every patient, every client, every visit.
Who we're looking for
We're looking for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys first-opinion practice and has a particular passion for surgery. You'll be confident across general medicine and surgery, with sound clinical judgement and an enthusiasm for delivering high-quality patient care.
An interest in dentistry would be especially welcome, as this is an area the practice would like to develop further. You don't need to hold a certificate, but an interest in further learning, sharing knowledge and progressing your clinical skills is important.
Above all, we're looking for someone who enjoys working collaboratively, takes pride in their clinical work and wants to make a positive contribution to the team.
Benefits
- 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
- Wellness program including: Employee assistance program
- Eyecare voucher scheme
- Free annual Flu jab
- Cycle to work scheme
Cherrydown 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Veterinary Surgeon in Basildon employer: MARS Veterinary
At Blythwood Vets, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises both professional growth and personal wellbeing. With a focus on leadership development, generous CPD funding, and a four-day working week, our team enjoys a balanced lifestyle while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the picturesque areas of Bushey and Hatch End, our practice not only provides a diverse caseload but also fosters a friendly environment where ideas are welcomed and shared, ensuring that every member can thrive in their veterinary career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon in Basildon
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like MARS Veterinary often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at MARS Veterinary
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at MARS Veterinary. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at MARS Veterinary.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at MARS Veterinary.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at MARS Veterinary.
