Veterinary Surgeon | Basildon, Essex

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join a progressive 24-hour RCVS-accredited hospital in the Basildon area. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a large, highly skilled multidisciplinary team with access to advanced diagnostic imaging, referral-level services and an interesting caseload. Offering a four-day working week, no routine out-of-hours and excellent support for further qualifications, the role provides an excellent balance between clinical development and life outside of work.

Key Highlights

• Salary up to £60,000 FTE depending on experience.
• Full-time 40-hour week over 4 days.
• Part-time applications considered.
• 1 in 4 weekends.
• No routine out-of-hours.
• Minimal on-call commitment – approximately 3-4 times per year.
• 24-hour RCVS-accredited Small Animal Hospital.
• CT and MRI facilities.
• Certificate holders across multiple disciplines.
• Certificate funding and generous CPD support.
• Visa sponsorship available for suitable candidates.
• Exotic-biased Veterinary Surgeons also considered.

The Practice

This impressive 24-hour RCVS-accredited small animal hospital provides first opinion, emergency, inpatient and advanced outpatient services from a modern, purpose-built facility. The hospital has continued to invest significantly in its clinical capabilities, with CT alongside recently expanded MRI, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.

You'll be joining a large clinical team of 14 Veterinary Surgeons, including colleagues with certificates in surgery, exotics and medicine, alongside others currently working towards further qualifications in surgery, orthopaedics, cardiology and medicine.

The experienced nursing team includes colleagues with Schedule 3, diagnostic imaging and postgraduate qualifications, while the wider multidisciplinary team also includes three Hydrotherapists, two Physiotherapists and ten Client Care Advisers.

The hospital provides gold-standard inpatient care alongside an extensive range of first opinion and advanced services, including Emergency and Critical Care, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, advanced diagnostic imaging and rehabilitation.

Facilities and services include:

• CT scanner.
• MRI.
• Advanced diagnostic imaging.
• Digital radiography.
• Ultrasound.
• Emergency and Critical Care facilities.
• Orthopaedic services.
• Ophthalmology.
• Hydrotherapy.
• Physiotherapy.
• Rehabilitation.
• Laser therapy.
• Advanced inpatient facilities.
• Modern operating theatres.
• 24-hour onsite patient care.

The Location

Located in the Basildon area of Essex, the hospital offers excellent connections into London, with rail journeys taking approximately 30 minutes. There are also convenient transport links towards Southend and Stansted airports, while the Essex coastline is approximately 25 minutes away by car.

The location provides an excellent balance for anyone wanting convenient access to London while enjoying more affordable living and easy access to the coast and Essex countryside.

The Role

The full-time position involves working 40 hours across four days, together with a shared 1 in 4 weekend rota. Part-time applications can also be considered, although participation in the weekend rota is required.

There are no routine out-of-hours duties, with only a minimal on-call commitment of approximately three to four occasions each year.

You'll manage a varied small animal caseload within a busy hospital environment, with access to experienced colleagues and advanced diagnostics when managing more challenging cases. The breadth of services available provides excellent opportunities to develop clinical interests and gain exposure to more advanced cases without immediately referring patients elsewhere.

The practice would also be particularly interested in hearing from Veterinary Surgeons with an interest or experience in exotic medicine.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will ideally be an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon with previous UK practice experience and a good understanding of UK clinical standards, regulations and client expectations.

You'll be a confident all-round clinician who enjoys managing a varied medical and surgical caseload and working collaboratively within a large multidisciplinary team. A commitment to clinical excellence, excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for continued professional development are essential.

Veterinary Surgeons with an exotic bias are also encouraged to apply, while those wishing to undertake further certificates will receive excellent support.

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £60,000 FTE depending on experience.
• 40-hour, four-day working week.
• Part-time applications considered.
• 1 in 4 weekend rota.
• No routine out-of-hours.
• Minimal on-call commitment.
• Generous CPD allowance.
• Certificate funding and support.
• Paid RCVS, BVA and VDS memberships.
• 5.6 weeks annual leave, increasing to 6.6 weeks after two years' service.
• Private health insurance.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Visa sponsorship available for suitable candidates.
• In-house career development opportunities.
• Supportive management structure.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee wellbeing and assistance programmes.
• Exclusive colleague discounts across selected veterinary and pet care brands.
• Access to advanced hospital and referral-level facilities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a progressive 24-hour hospital where clinical development, advanced patient care and teamwork are genuinely prioritised. With a four-day week, access to CT and MRI, an experienced multidisciplinary team and excellent support for certificates, the role is particularly well suited to a Veterinary Surgeon looking to broaden their clinical experience while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Interested?

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Please quote Job Reference: 26-00490

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