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- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team, deliver exceptional clinical care, and mentor fellow vets and nurses.
- Company: Join Vine Tree Vets, a modern practice in the stunning Wye Valley.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical insurance, and CPD support.
- Why this job: Shape your career in a supportive environment with a focus on mental health and teamwork.
- Qualifications: MRCVS-qualified with strong clinical experience and proven leadership skills.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with no out-of-hours requirements and a vibrant team culture.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 105000 £ per year.
Vine Tree Vets have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our practice in the heart of the Wye Valley. You’ll lead a supportive team of vets and nurses, manage clinical operations, and enjoy the freedom to shape a varied and rewarding caseload. This role is ideal for an experienced Senior Vet ready to step up or a Clinical Director seeking a fresh challenge with a stronger clinical focus, working alongside an experienced Head Nurse and Practice Director.
You’ll oversee all clinical aspects of the practice, ensuring high standards of care aligned with RCVS guidance, industry regulations, and IVC Evidensia best practices. Key responsibilities include:
- Clinical governance
- Protocol implementation
- Audits
- Quality improvement
- Mentoring the team
This is a leadership role that requires advanced clinical expertise, strong decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement - driving both operational excellence and outstanding patient care. You’ll hold personal and team-wide accountability, in line with the Veterinary Surgeon role profile and RCVS standards.
This role can be offered on a full or part-time basis, between 30 to 40 hours per week, worked over 4 or 5 days between 8:30am and 7pm. There are no out-of-hours or on-call requirements, though participation in the Saturday morning rota will be expected.
Our established practice Vine Tree Vets is located in the beautiful Wye Valley, within easy reach of the Forest of Dean, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol and the Cotswolds. Vine Tree has an extensive small animal case load, giving you exposure to a diverse caseload. We are a purpose-built, modern practice that was converted from a pub in 2015. We have two consulting rooms, one operating theatre, an imaging room (including digital x-ray, dental x-ray, bronchoscope, endoscope and ultrasound), a main prep room, a cat-only prep room leading to cattery and a separate dog ward.
The team at Vine Tree is made up of 4 vets, 5 nurses, 2 receptionists and 1 practice director; with the longest team member being with us for over 25 years. Our Vine Tree team is at the heart of everything we do; our priority is to create a wonderful team atmosphere where everyone looks after each other, regardless of their role, and is something we pride ourselves on. We understand the significance of supporting mental health within the veterinary profession and this is of particular importance to us. The team regularly get together to explore the outdoors, for dog walks or just around the beautiful area.
What You’ll Do:
- Deliver outstanding clinical care across species
- Mentor and support vets, nurses, and support staff
- Champion clinical governance and continuous improvement
- Lead audits, ensure compliance, and support CPD
- Work closely with the Director of Practice on strategy and service development
- Build strong client relationships and manage complex cases
What We’re Looking For:
- MRCVS-qualified with strong clinical experience
- Proven leadership and mentoring skills
- Deep understanding of clinical governance and RCVS standards
- Passion for developing teams and delivering patient-first care
- A collaborative, solution-focused approach
Bonus Points:
- Postgraduate clinical or leadership qualifications
- Experience as a Vet GDP advisor
We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from:
- Work-life balance: 7.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays; additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
- Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline; Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay; Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing
- Development: £1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata; Certificate support; Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy; Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal employer: Vine Tree Vets
Contact Detail:
Vine Tree Vets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend local meet-ups, or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Prepare to discuss specific cases you've handled and how you’ve led teams. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your leadership abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Be yourself! Authenticity goes a long way. Let your passion for veterinary care and team leadership come through in your conversations. Employers love candidates who are genuine and enthusiastic.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for veterinary care shine through! We want to see how much you care about animals and the role you’ll play in their wellbeing. Share specific experiences that highlight your commitment to patient-first care.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Veterinary Surgeon role. Highlight your leadership experience, clinical governance knowledge, and any mentoring you've done. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Vine Tree Vets!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vine Tree Vets
✨Know Your Clinical Stuff
As a Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you'll need to demonstrate your advanced clinical expertise. Brush up on the latest RCVS guidelines and best practices, and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in your previous roles. Show them you’re not just a vet, but a leader who champions high standards of care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading a team, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've mentored others or improved team dynamics. Think about times when you’ve driven operational excellence or led audits. They want to see that you can inspire and support your colleagues.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Vine Tree Vets values continuous improvement, so come armed with ideas on how you can contribute to this. Discuss any past experiences where you’ve successfully implemented changes or improvements in clinical governance or patient care. This shows you’re proactive and committed to growth.
✨Connect with Their Values
Vine Tree Vets prides itself on a supportive team atmosphere and mental health awareness. Make sure to express your alignment with these values. Share your thoughts on team wellbeing and how you’ve fostered a positive environment in your previous workplaces. It’s all about showing you fit into their culture!
