Job Title
Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Location
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Hours
42 hours per week across 4 days, including weekends with flexible options available - A choice of either a consulting weekend rota (1 in 3 Saturdays and 1 in 12 Sundays) or a hospital weekend rota (1 in 6 full weekends), with appropriate time off in lieu and overtime arrangements.
Practice
Village Vet Berkhamsted & St Albans Hospital
Salary
Up to £75,000 DOE + relocation support available for direct candidates
If you're an experienced Veterinary Surgeon ready to take the next step in your career, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact without stepping away from the clinical work you love.
We're looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our welcoming and established Berkhamsted team, combining hands-on first opinion practice with the opportunity to shape the future of the clinic. Whether you've already led a team or you're ready to step into your first leadership position, you'll have the autonomy to influence clinical standards, support and develop your colleagues, and help drive the practice forward, whilst continuing to enjoy a varied and rewarding clinical caseload.
This is more than a traditional Lead Vet role. It's an opportunity to lead an established practice with the support of the wider Village Vet network and St Albans Hospital behind you. You'll enjoy the autonomy of leading your own team whilst benefiting from collaboration with experienced colleagues, access to advanced facilities and the confidence of knowing you're never professionally isolated. It's the ideal balance for someone who wants to make a real impact whilst continuing to grow both clinically and as a leader.
Why join us
- Competitive salary of up to £75,000 DOE, with relocation support available for direct candidates
- A genuine leadership opportunity where you can influence clinical standards, ways of working and the future direction of the practice whilst remaining hands-on clinically
- Approximately 60% consulting and 40% surgery, allowing you to enjoy a varied caseload whilst balancing your leadership responsibilities A loyal, affluent and highly insured client base, giving you the clinical freedom to investigate cases thoroughly and practise evidence-based medicine to a high standard
- Work within a well-equipped practice featuring ultrasound, digital radiography, digital dental radiography, a dedicated operating theatre, separate dental suite, kennel facilities and vivariums
- Strong collaboration with the wider Village Vet network and St Albans Hospital, providing access to experienced colleagues, advanced facilities and additional clinical support whenever needed
- A stable, experienced and genuinely supportive team environment where your ideas, leadership and clinical expertise will be valued Excellent opportunities for continued professional development, leadership development and long-term career progression within one of the UK's leading veterinary groups
The team and practice
You’ll be joining an established and close-knit team that prides itself on delivering exceptional patient care whilst maintaining a collaborative, supportive and enjoyable working environment.
We’re particularly keen to hear from Veterinary Surgeons with a passion for companion animal medicine and surgery, helping to further strengthen and complement our clinical offering, and you will be supported by a collaborative team of 3 RVNs and 4 Client Care Assistants.
As Lead Vet, you’ll play an important role in shaping the clinical direction of the practice, supporting and developing your colleagues, encouraging clinical excellence and fostering a positive team culture where everyone can thrive. Whilst dedicated new graduate mentoring sits within the wider Village Vet programme, you’ll have opportunities to coach and support colleagues as part of your leadership role without carrying sole responsibility for a graduate from day one.
Village Vet Berkhamsted has built an excellent reputation within the local community and benefits from a loyal, affluent client base with a high proportion of insured patients. This allows our vets the clinical freedom to work cases up thoroughly, explore the best treatment options and deliver exceptional patient care based on clinical judgement rather than financial limitations.
Working closely with our St Albans Hospital gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy the autonomy and continuity of leading your own first opinion practice whilst having access to experienced colleagues, advanced diagnostics, additional equipment and a wider multidisciplinary network whenever required. It creates a collaborative environment where you’re empowered to make decisions independently but always have expert support available when you need it.
Situated on the edge of the beautiful Chiltern Hills, Berkhamsted offers an exceptional quality of life. Combining historic charm with independent cafés, restaurants, green open spaces and excellent schools, it’s an ideal location for those looking to enjoy a better work-life balance. With direct rail links into London in around 30 minutes, you’ll benefit from countryside living without sacrificing access to the capital.
What We’re Looking For
- An experienced small animal Veterinary Surgeon with strong UK first opinion practice experience (at least 5 years) confident managing routine medical and surgical cases independently
- Previous experience working within UK general practice is essential, enabling you to confidently lead the clinical team and make sound independent clinical decisions
- Someone ready to take ownership of a practice, influence clinical standards and inspire those around them
- A collaborative leader who enjoys supporting and developing colleagues whilst creating a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture
- Excellent communication skills with a passion for building trusted, long‑term client relationships
- A strong interest in companion animal medicine and surgery, particularly dogs and cats
- A commitment to delivering exceptional standards of patient and client care every day
- Previous leadership experience is welcomed but isn’t essential, we’d also love to hear from experienced clinicians who are ready to take the next step into a Lead Veterinary Surgeon role
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
Village 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.
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Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted employer: Village Vet
At Village Vet Milton, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values work-life balance and professional development. Our Twilight Veterinary Surgeons enjoy a unique shift pattern that allows for meaningful patient care while working alongside a supportive and experienced team in one of Cambridgeshire's few RCVS Tier 3 accredited hospitals. With extensive CPD opportunities, a commitment to high standards of care, and a culture that fosters collaboration and inclusivity, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted
✨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 Village Vet 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 Village Vet
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Village Vet. 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 Village Vet.
✨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 Village Vet.
✨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 Village Vet.
