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- Tasks: Join our supportive team as a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, caring for pets and their families.
- Company: Rochford Vets is an independent, family-owned practice in a charming market town near Southend-On-Sea.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive salary, relocation support, and ongoing professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a compassionate team that values collaboration, growth, and a positive work culture.
- Qualifications: We're looking for a vet with experience in routine surgeries and a genuine care for patients and clients.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; we encourage informal chats before applying.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 58000 ÂŁ per year.
Join a genuinely supportive team where compassion, collaboration, and coastal charm come together—and where your voice, your growth, and your time truly matter.
About Us
We are looking for a fourth vet to join our supportive and friendly team at Rochford Vets, a small animal practice in Rochford, Essex—a quaint little market town near Southend-On-Sea. As an independent, family-owned practice, we love having the freedom to make all our own decisions. This means we get to choose our suppliers, the medicines we stock, and truly shape the way we care for our clients and their pets.
It’s been a little while since we last welcomed a new vet to our team, so we thought it would be nice to tell you a bit about who we are and how we work, rather than just listing a bunch of job specs. This way, you can get a feel for whether we might be the right fit for you and whether you’d enjoy being part of what we’ve built here.
Our Team
You\’ll be joining a truly fantastic, close-knit team here. Our practice owners, Ian and Zoe, are wonderfully hands-on, working day-to-day right alongside everyone else. They\’re part of a dedicated team that includes two other vets, five wonderful RVNs, three friendly receptionists, and our amazing Practice Administrator Karon (she\’ll be the lovely person you hear from if you apply!). And keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes are Alison and Tom, who manage our insurance and accounts.
Speaking of our vets, here\’s a little bit about them:
- Ian, our owner, graduated from Edinburgh in 1988 and took ownership of Rochford Vets in 1991. He has a particular passion for internal medicine and dermatology cases, and he\’s also brilliant with ultrasound imaging.
- Catherine, an RVC graduate, brings over 15 years of experience in general practice, excelling in both medicine and surgery. Catherine also holds a Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology and genuinely enjoys all aspects of eye medicine and surgery.
- Dimitra is our newest vet, and graduated in 2017 from Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki in Greece. She particularly enjoys soft tissue surgery.
“I have been working for Rochford Vets for the past 4 years, and I really enjoy every day here. It is an independent practice where everyone puts the animals first! The team is super supportive and easy going, and there is great communication between colleagues. It is a friendly and down-to-earth practice to work at.\’\’ Dimitra, MRCVS
Our Compassionate Ethos
We understand that pets are a part of the family, and as a first-opinion practice, we often find ourselves supporting families through some of their toughest times. We always do so with empathy, remembering how much our own animals mean to us and treating them with care and compassion.
What makes working here so enjoyable is definitely down to our very (actually!) friendly clients and our wonderfully upbeat, hardworking team. We believe this positive atmosphere flows both ways, and it’s why we always aim to communicate clearly with both our clients and each other, building strong relationships based on trust and confidence.
Our Culture
Here at Rochford Vets, we\’re all about bouncing ideas off each other, learning together, and supporting one another—it\’s a core part of our culture. You won\’t hear \”That\’s not my case\” because we believe in problem-solving together. Everyone’s input matters, and we hold fortnightly team meetings where everyone contributes ideas for improving our services and the way we work, using our continuous improvement system. It\’s a space where we can discuss these ideas as a team and make decisions together.
We recognise the incredible hard work and dedication it has taken to become a vet, and appreciate the unique skill involved in being a great GP vet. One of the best aspects of this job is that every day is a school day. That’s why we’re keen to support your ongoing professional development in every way we can. Whether you\’re keen to hone your expertise in general practice or you have particular interests you\’d like to follow and pursue a certificate. With us, growing your knowledge isn\’t just about formal courses or online seminars (though we do have plenty of free online CPD for you to explore). It\’s also about embracing the unique skill involved in being a great GP vet, and having a \’growth mindset\’ as you work through your cases. This might involve discussing cases with colleagues, exploring resources like the RCVS Knowledge Electronic Library (to which we are subscribed), or digging into our well-stocked in-house library.
You Might Be a Great Fit If…
You’re a vet with a few years’ experience and confidence in routine surgeries. More importantly, you genuinely care — about your patients, your clients, and your team. You value honesty, calm communication, and working with others to get things right. You’re proactive, compassionate, and see general practice as a speciality in its own right.
Ideally, you live within a 40-minute commute of the practice, or you’re planning to relocate nearby (we can help with that if needed).
What the Role Looks Like
Our vets generally work a 4-day week, with just 1 in 4 Saturdays (9 am to 4 pm). Weekday shifts start between 8 and 9 am, and finish between 5 and 7.30 pm, with just one 7.30 pm finish each week. Our out-of-hours service is outsourced to the local Medivet 24hr hospital in Southend-on-Sea, and they also look after any inpatients, so your evenings, Sundays and bank holidays are free.
Whether you\’re handling a routine consult or guiding clients through difficult decisions, we make sure there\’s plenty of time for conversations to happen properly. For example, we schedule standard 30-minute slots for dermatology cases or euthanasia appointments, ensuring that no one ever feels rushed. We also build admin time into your diary, so you can follow up on cases, make calls, or simply take a breather to think through a tricky case. It all helps us create a more relaxed and supportive environment for everyone on the team.
We Offer
- A salary package of £45,000 – £65,000
- A 4-day week, with just 1:4 Saturdays and no OOH
- Relocation package available
- CPD is actively encouraged and supported, including certificates
- Access to Central CPD on demand and RCVS Knowledge Library
- 5.6 weeks’ holiday, including bank holidays
- RCVS and VDS fees paid by us
- Private healthcare insurance
- Cycle to work scheme
- Group Life insurance policy for 3 x salary
Outside of Work
Rochford is a charming market town with a lovely sense of community, and it’s just a stone\’s throw from the vibrant seaside town of Southend-on-Sea. Beyond the town centre, the surrounding area is a beautiful mix of countryside and coastline. For nature lovers, there are fantastic open spaces, such as Hockley Woods, the Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, and the Essex coast, and with direct train links to London in under an hour, it\’s easy to pop into the city for a day trip. London Southend Airport is just a few miles away for flights to Europe, and Stansted is just 40 miles away for flights further afield.
Ready to Join Us?
If our values and way of working sound like a match for you, we’d love to hear from you. You’re welcome to get in touch for an informal chat — or apply directly with your CV and a short note about what draws you to Rochford Vets.
Not sure if the hours are quite right? That’s okay — we’re open to flexibility for the right person, and we’d still love to have a conversation.
Either way, we’re really looking forward to meeting our new colleague — and we hope it might be you.
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Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon employer: Rochford Veterinary Surgery
Contact Detail:
Rochford Veterinary Surgery Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the ethos and culture of Rochford Vets. Understanding their compassionate approach and collaborative environment will help you align your values with theirs during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the veterinary community in Essex. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with other professionals who may have insights about the practice and its team dynamics.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experiences with routine surgeries and how you handle challenging cases. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your compassion and teamwork, as these qualities are highly valued at Rochford Vets.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out for an informal chat before applying. This shows initiative and gives you a chance to ask questions about the role and the team, helping you make a more informed decision about your fit with the practice.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Practice Culture: Before applying, take some time to understand the culture at Rochford Vets. Highlight your alignment with their values of compassion, collaboration, and continuous improvement in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in small animal practice, particularly any routine surgeries you’ve performed. Emphasise your soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, which are important to the practice.
Craft a Personal Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your genuine interest in joining Rochford Vets. Mention specific aspects of their ethos or team dynamics that resonate with you.
Showcase Your Growth Mindset: In your application, discuss how you embrace learning and professional development. Mention any relevant CPD courses or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to growing as a veterinary surgeon.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rochford Veterinary Surgery
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, it's crucial to demonstrate your compassion for animals and their owners. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your empathy and understanding of the emotional aspects of veterinary care.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Rochford Vets values teamwork and collaboration. Be prepared to discuss how you have worked effectively in teams in the past, and share examples of how you’ve contributed to a positive team environment.
✨Discuss Your Growth Mindset
The practice encourages ongoing professional development. Talk about your commitment to learning and improving your skills, whether through formal training or informal discussions with colleagues. Highlight any specific areas of interest you wish to pursue further.
✨Prepare Questions About Their Culture
Demonstrate your interest in the practice by preparing thoughtful questions about their culture and values. Ask about their approach to client communication, team meetings, and how they support each other's growth, showing that you align with their ethos.
