Head Veterinary Surgeon

We have an exciting and rare new opportunity for an experienced vet looking to progress their career in a leadership direction by taking on the role of Head Vet at our Purbeck branches.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working as part of a team but also be confident with sole charge and promote high standards of clinical and client care. You will have a good amount of small animal clinical experience and be confident using this experience to lead and mentor your clinical team.

About us:

Lynwood Vets are a 5 branch, RCVS accredited group based on the South Coast. All branches work closely together, with frequent opportunities to get together both socially and professionally. Our Purbeck branches Wareham and Swanage are home to a fun, welcoming team of vets, nurses and client care with a thriving client base in a picturesque area of the country.

Role:

This role is offered for a Head Veterinary Surgeon who will be based at the Wareham and Swanage branches. We welcome and encourage all flexible working requests including child-friendly hours. Standard full time involves working a 4-day week (same day off each week), however this is negotiable for the right candidate.

There is no requirement to work out of hours cover as VetsNow are hosted in our Wimborne branch, enabling us to give consistent care to our inpatients without the need to move them back and forwards at the start and end of the day. Saturday mornings are on a shared rota, 8.30am- 12.30pm only.

We aim to prioritise having the flexibility to allow you to pursue your personal career goals and find a fulfilling position that suits your own skills and work-life balance.

The role will consist of some sole charge at our smaller branch surgery in Swanage, as well as working primarily within the larger team at Wareham. We pride ourselves on our collaborative and supportive atmosphere led by our Advanced Practitioners and approachable Leadership Team, which you will become part of.

The role will involve day to day branch leadership, including but not limited to:

1. Overseeing the branch vet’s rota
2. Leading branch team meetings
3. Supporting vets with any clinical complaints
4. Supporting and mentoring less experienced vets
5. Working alongside the Branch Lead Nurse to provide day to day support for colleagues & involvement in resolving any issues
6. Business and branch development
7. Attendance of monthly Leadership Team meetings with other Branch Leaders and Senior Leadership Team

Our team are at the heart of all we do, and it is a priority to us that we find the best fit for our team.

The skill set required for this role includes:

1. Management aspirations or experience
2. Able to deliver high standards of clinical and client care
3. Supporting and mentoring other clinicians, sharing your knowledge and experience
4. Honesty, integrity and organisational skills
5. Team player, respectful to colleagues and setting an example of our ‘just’ culture
6. Excellent communication skills with clients and team members
7. Surgical proficiency and confidence for routine procedures is desirable
8. Confident under pressure and able to multitask

Team:

The wider team at Lynwood work closely together with a collaborative approach to all our cases. We believe in promoting healthy and positive relationships between humans and animals in all aspects of our work, including with pet owners, charities, working dogs, and through animal welfare cases. Our shared aim is to provide the most appropriate veterinary care to our customers’ beloved pets, through working with them to understand their needs.

We are a friendly, forward-thinking, and supportive team of vets, nurses, and support team, and while we are proud of our diligence and integrity. We love life outside of work too and put an onus on all team members having a work life balance that works for them.

We support regular out of work activities for the whole team including our legendary spring party!

What do the team say about working for Lynwood Vets?

“Lynwood has encouraged me throughout my journey as a veterinary surgeon offering the right balance between freedom of my own cases as well as the guidance and support from the rest of the team. There is the opportunity for growth and progress in your area of interest.” – J, vet and Lynwood team member for 20 years

“I started working for Lynwood about 30 years ago and never left! This practice offers the right mix of interesting work, ethics and client/patient care. Lynwood is open to new ways of working, for instance in a more sustainable way, which is important to me.” – M, part time vet

“The reasons why I like working at Lynwood…Friendly and skilled team in a beautiful part of the UK, with a nice client base.” – E, Lynwood vet for 13 years

“The best thing about Lynwood for me is working with a great team of people, where everyone is keen to help out & share their knowledge. It has been possible to develop my own areas of clinical interest, including studying for a certificate, whilst working in a friendly supportive environment.” – C, Full time Lynwood vet for 10 years

“Being part of Lynwood allows me to work to my own guiding principles of veterinary medicine and helps me to provide the very best patient and client care. I have been able to develop skills in my areas of interest and challenge myself where I have been less confident. Under the umbrella of the Vet Partners group, I feel supported clinically and personally, with easy access to so many helpful resources. I have been able to adapt my working pattern to the changing demands of family life without feeling compromised in either area. I have always felt that I am part of a truly supportive and progressive practice. I feel very lucky to be here!” – L, Lynwood vet for 6 years

Area:

Dorset is a classically beautiful and scenic place to live. From the breathtaking countryside to the rolling coastal cliffs, it is a place of contrast and natural beauty. There are miles of coastline to spend your days exploring including sandy beaches, imposing cliffs and if you are interested in water sports our harbours offer a huge variety of opportunities from yachting to open water swimming. There’s something for everyone in Dorset!

Away from the beaches we have impressive chalk down hills, lush river valleys and the woods of the precious New Forest on our doorstep. The rural skies are some of the darkest in England, great for stargazing and camping.

The local towns and cities of Salisbury, Southampton, Weymouth and Bournemouth offer great opportunities for cultural experiences, shopping and nights out. The area oozes history from every pore, from the Iron Age hill fort at Bradbury rings and Stonehenge, to Salisbury Cathedral and the classic stately home of Kingston Lacey.

There are direct trains to Southampton and London in under 2½ hours from Wareham, just within reach for a day trip but outside of the home counties commuter belt.

Benefits of being part of the Lynwood Vets and VetPartners Group (pro rata):

1. Salary from £60k for the right candidate/dependent on experience
2. 6.6 weeks paid holiday including bank holidays
3. £1750 CPD Allowance per annum
4. Health Shield – wide ranging contributions for health and wellbeing treatments – from dentistry to sports massage
5. RCVS Membership paid
6. Two other membership subscriptions
7. VDS cover
8. Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and surrogacy pay
9. Discounted veterinary fees
10. My Perks – offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel, entertainment and much more
11. Cycle to Work scheme
12. CPD/training support
13. Company sick pay
14. Colleague engagement survey

We encourage and support you to find your niche within Lynwood, and we are in an exciting phase of growth as a practice, and we would love you to be a part of it!

For more information/an informal chat or to apply please contact:

Charlotte Clark, Group Practice Manager – charlotte.clark@lynwoodvets.co.uk

or – Janine Waldy, Clinical Director – janine.waldy@lynwoodvets.co.uk