Senior Veterinary Surgeon – Emergency and Critical Care (ECC)
Location: High Wycombe
Salary: up to £90,000 DOE
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
At Vets Now, we believe that when your purpose is to make a difference, you deserve a team that shares your passion. In our High Wycombe clinic, we’re looking for a Head/Lead Veterinary Surgeon to lead from the front – inspiring clinical excellence and guiding a high-performing and collaborative team that supports pets and people when they need it most.
High Wycombe is a highly sought-after commuter town in Buckinghamshire, celebrated for its unbeatable combination of lightning-fast London connections, top-tier schooling, and a stunning location nestled within the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Lead with Clinical Excellence
As Senior Vet, you’ll lead by example by blending clinical expertise with mentorship and collaboration. You’ll set the tone for quality care, lead in emergency situations, and support the development of your fellow clinicians. You’ll have responsibility for:
- Driving and upholding clinical standards across the clinic
- Supporting the growth, training and wellbeing of your veterinary team
- Identifying clinical development opportunities and shaping team progression
- Championing innovation and service improvement within the clinic
This is more than a job. This is a vital leadership role with real impact where your guidance helps shape the future of ECC, while making a difference to patients, clients, and colleagues every day.
Work-Life Balance That Works for You
This full-time role averages 40 hours per week, rota pattern is as follows (protected time for leadership duties and meetings included):
- Week 1: Monday and Tuesday night 19:00-09:00
- Week 2: Tuesday and Wednesday night 19:00-09:00, Saturday 12:00-19:30 and Sunday 08:30-19:30
- Week 3: Tuesday and Wednesday night 19:00-09:00
- Week 4: Friday, Saturday and Sunday night 19:00-09:00
We understand that life outside of work matters too. That’s why we offer flexibility and can explore part-time arrangements, depending on clinic requirements because your balance is our priority.
Rewarding Work, Your Way
We look after you, so you can look after them, by offering a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Salary up to £90,000 DOE
- Seven weeks pro rata annual leave
- £1,875 CPD allowance plus 35 paid CPD hours
- RCVS fees, VECCS membership, and VDS cover
- Private medical insurance
- Family-friendly policies – enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Leadership Development Programme
- Access to our AdvantEdge clinical training platform
- Standard pension contributions (5% employee / 3% employer)
- Up to 50% discounted pet care
Support That Sets You Up for Success
You’re never alone at Vets Now: on-shift you’ll work alongside a registered vet nurse, an animal care assistant and a receptionist, and you can contact any of our clinics or referral centres across the UK at any time, day or night, if needing to discuss a particular case or share ideas.
You’ll also be supported by our Support Office in Dunfermline, where our teams work behind the scenes to help you thrive. Our Call Handlers and Customer Care Advisors ensure you can focus on what matters most to your patients.
Ready to Lead with Purpose?
Inclusion and Accessibility
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability or health condition, we’re committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Vet Surgeon in High Wycombe
✨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 Vets Now 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 Vets Now
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Vets Now. 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 Vets Now.
✨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 Vets Now.
✨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 Vets Now.
