At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide clinical support across multiple veterinary practices and perform routine surgeries.
- Company: Join Mercer & Hughes, a trusted veterinary practice with over 40 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, CPD budget, and exposure to advanced veterinary procedures.
- Other info: Flexible working across Essex with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Enjoy variety and autonomy while developing your clinical skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: MRCVS registered with 2+ years of small animal experience and confident in routine surgery.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Veterinary Surgeon to join our team at Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons in Saffron Walden. With over 40 years of heritage and a trusted reputation across Essex, we combine high-quality veterinary care with strong community relationships and a supportive team environment. You’ll be joining a well-established practice where colleagues are encouraged to develop, collaborate and deliver outstanding care to pets and their owners.
As part of Kin Vet Community, a small collective of like-minded community veterinary practices, we benefit from the support, shared expertise and collaborative approach that comes from working alongside teams who share our commitment to exceptional veterinary care. Whilst every practice retains its own culture, leadership and way of working, being part of Kin Vet creates greater opportunities to learn from one another, invest in our people and facilities, and continue evolving the services we provide to pets and their owners.
The Opportunity
Mercer & Hughes are looking for a confident Veterinary Surgeon with 2+ years’ small animal experience to join our team in an exciting floating role supporting our practices across Essex. Based from Saffron Walden Veterinary Hospital, you’ll provide additional clinical support across our branch practices, offering variety, independence and the opportunity to work across both first opinion and hospital environments. This role would suit a vet who enjoys variety, is comfortable working independently and wants to broaden their clinical experience while being supported by an experienced and friendly team.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing holiday and clinical support across Mercer & Hughes practices
- Consulting in both sole charge and team environments
- Performing routine surgery
- Working hospital shifts alongside experienced clinicians
- Managing a varied first opinion caseload
- Supporting hospital inpatients and more complex cases
- Participating in a weekend rota
Practices You'll Support
You’ll work across our Essex sites, including:
- Saffron Walden Veterinary Hospital
- Bocking
- Great Dunmow
Travel between sites forms part of the role, creating a varied working week with exposure to different teams, cases and facilities.
Clinical Development Opportunities
This role provides excellent exposure to:
- Laparoscopic procedures
- Advanced ultrasound
- Complex medical cases
- Orthopaedics
- Emergency and critical care
Our team already has strong surgical expertise, so a vet with an interest in medicine would complement the team particularly well.
We're Looking For Someone Who Is
- MRCVS registered
- Has a minimum of 2 years’ UK small animal experience
- Confident with routine surgery and consulting
- Comfortable working sole charge when required
- Flexible, adaptable and happy travelling between practices
- Friendly and approachable with a strong team ethic
- Respectful and supportive of nursing colleagues
- Keen to continue developing clinically
Hours
- Full-time preferred (part-time considered)
- 1 in 6 Saturday mornings
- New graduates are not suitable for this role
What We Offer
- Salary of £40,000–£50,000 DOE
- CPD budget of approximately £2,000–£2,500
- Around 3 CPD days annually
- Exposure to hospital-level equipment and varied caseloads
- A supportive clinical team
If you’re looking for a role that offers variety, autonomy and the chance to continue developing your clinical skills across a supportive group of practices, we’d love to hear from you.
For more information or an informal chat please contact Louise on Louise.chandler@kinvet.co.uk
Veterinary Surgeon to £50,000k PA DOE in Saffron Walden employer: Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons
Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Saffron Walden. With a strong commitment to employee development and a generous CPD budget, our team enjoys the opportunity to enhance their clinical skills while working across various practices. Join us to be part of a well-established practice that values community relationships and provides high-quality veterinary care.
Contact Details:
Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon to £50,000k PA DOE in Saffron Walden
✨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 Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon to £50,000k PA DOE in Saffron Walden
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 Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons. 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 Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons.
✨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 Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons.
✨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 Mercer & Hughes Veterinary Surgeons.