Head Veterinary Surgeon | Lincoln, Lincolnshire

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head Veterinary Surgeon to lead the next stage of development at a modern, purpose-built small animal practice in Lincoln. This permanent full-time position offers a highly competitive package, significant clinical influence and the opportunity to rebuild and lead a talented permanent veterinary team.

Following substantial investment in the practice and the establishment of a new, experienced nursing team, the focus is now on building a stable veterinary team with the ambition, clinical standards and collaborative approach required to make the practice a regional centre of clinical excellence.

Key Highlights

• Basic salary from £80,000 per annum.
• Salary uncapped depending on experience and reviewed twice yearly.
• £1,000 quarterly recognition payment guaranteed for the first two quarters.
• £5,000 relocation allowance payable following the 12-week review.
• £5,000 Golden Hello payable after successful completion of probation.
• £5,000 Golden Thank You payable after 18 months.
• Permanent full-time position.
• 39 hours per week across a 4-day working week.
• 1 in 4 weekend rota.
• No routine out-of-hours shifts.
• On-call responsibility only where overnight inpatients require support.
• Dedicated administration time.
• Visa sponsorship available where applicable.

The Practice

This spacious, purpose-built small animal practice was designed around patient flow, clinical efficiency and the ergonomic requirements of a busy veterinary team. It remains modern, light and well equipped, providing an excellent platform from which to deliver high-quality first opinion medicine and surgery.

The practice has a loyal and engaged client base that values thorough, evidence-based veterinary care. More than 40% of registered clients are enrolled in a preventative healthcare plan, helping clinicians build lasting client relationships, undertake appropriate diagnostic work-ups and focus on treating the underlying cause of disease.

The nursing team has recently been rebuilt and is now led by a highly experienced Head Nurse, supported by four experienced RVNs. The nurses have a strong interest in fully utilising their clinical skills and confidently support:

• Orthopaedic surgery.
• Complex soft tissue procedures.
• Stage 1 dental procedures.
• Nurse consultations.
• Diagnostic radiography.
• Inpatient care and monitoring.
• Schedule 3 procedures.

The clinical team currently receives additional support from experienced Veterinary Surgeons with interests in:

• Surgery.
• Ophthalmology.
• Diagnostic imaging.
• Internal medicine.
• Cardiology.

This support provides excellent clinical continuity while the permanent veterinary team is established and means the incoming Head Vet will not be rebuilding the practice alone.

A stable client care team of four Customer Experience Coordinators and two weekend Animal Care Assistants provides further operational support.

The Location

Lincoln is a historic cathedral city offering an excellent combination of culture, countryside, coastline and modern amenities. The city is located close to the Lincolnshire Wolds and within reach of the East Coast, while providing restaurants, independent shops, green spaces and a vibrant social scene.

Lincoln Castle houses one of the surviving original copies of the Magna Carta, while the city also offers comparatively affordable housing and good connections across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.

The Role

As Head Veterinary Surgeon, you will be the senior clinician within the practice and a key member of the leadership team. You will combine hands-on first opinion clinical work with responsibility for clinical governance, team development and the strategic direction of the surgery.

This is not simply a role maintaining an established structure. It offers the opportunity to recruit, shape and develop a permanent veterinary team while building upon the stability already created within the nursing and client care departments.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the veterinary team.
• Recruiting and inducting new Veterinary Surgeons.
• Delivering high-quality consultations, diagnostics and surgical procedures.
• Promoting thorough case work-ups and evidence-based medicine.
• Supporting graduates and colleagues completing VetGDP.
• Encouraging case discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Leading clinical governance and audit activity.
• Investigating clinical incidents and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and high professional standards.
• Working closely with the Head Nurse and wider leadership team.
• Contributing to the development of new services and investment in equipment.
• Building strong relationships with clients and the local community.
• Helping create a stable, ambitious and positive clinical culture.

Dedicated administration time is included to support your leadership and management responsibilities.

About You

• MRCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon.
• Experienced small animal GP Veterinary Surgeon.
• Confident across medicine, diagnostics and surgery.
• Strong leadership, mentoring and people-management skills.
• Committed to evidence-based and diagnostic-led veterinary care.
• Comfortable taking responsibility for clinical governance.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Commercially aware while maintaining patient care as the priority.
• Motivated by the opportunity to build and develop a successful clinical team.

Candidates would ideally have at least 12 months of UK clinical experience. Applications may also be considered from suitably experienced Veterinary Surgeons relocating from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States. Visa sponsorship is available where required.

What’s On Offer

• Basic salary from £80,000 per annum.
• Uncapped salary depending on experience.
• Salary reviewed twice yearly.
• £1,000 quarterly recognition payment guaranteed for the first two quarters.
• £5,000 relocation allowance following the 12-week review.
• £5,000 Golden Hello following successful probation.
• £5,000 Golden Thank You after 18 months.
• 4-day working week.
• 1 in 4 weekend rota.
• No routine out-of-hours shifts.
• Dedicated administration time.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Generous CPD allowance with certificate support.
• Funded professional memberships.
• Internal leadership training.
• Income protection.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Electric car scheme.
• Surgery discounts.
• Boost employee discounts and rewards.
• Help at Hand health and wellbeing support.
• Visa sponsorship where applicable.
• Significant opportunity to influence the future development of the practice.

If you would like further information about this Head Veterinary Surgeon role in Lincoln, or would like to arrange a confidential and informal discussion, please get in touch.

Interested?

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Founded in 2016, Vet Seekers is a multi-award-winning specialist veterinary recruitment agency, connecting Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses and veterinary professionals with permanent and locum opportunities across the UK and internationally.

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