Veterinary Surgeon

Job Description

Introduction
Our Client’s hospital in Bury St Edmunds is a large, purpose-built veterinary hospital providing a broad range of first opinion, emergency, inpatient and referral services. The hospital benefits from extensive facilities, a dedicated out-of-hours service supporting approximately 25 local practices and certificate-level referral services in internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and orthopaedic surgery.

This newly created Surgical Lead role offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to take ownership of the hospital’s surgical services while helping shape the future development of both first opinion and referral surgery.

Working Hours / Rota
The role combines a significant clinical caseload with dedicated leadership and management responsibilities.

Protected time is allocated for non-clinical duties including governance, service development and team leadership.

Participation in the out-of-hours rota is required.

Role Description
This position is ideally suited to an experienced surgeon seeking progression into a leadership role or an established clinical leader looking for a new challenge within a busy hospital environment.

The Surgical Lead will oversee both clinical and operational aspects of the surgical service, including first opinion surgery, emergency procedures and referral-level surgical cases. Working closely with the Inpatient Lead, the successful candidate will also play a key role in developing and expanding the hospital’s referral offering.

Responsibilities include maintaining evidence-based surgical standards, leading clinical governance initiatives, conducting audits, organising Morbidity and Mortality rounds, overseeing theatre efficiency, supporting surgical and anaesthetic nursing standards, managing surgical billing processes and handling complaints related to surgical services.

The role also includes mentoring recently graduated Veterinary Surgeons and student nurses while contributing to the strategic direction of the hospital as part of the senior leadership team.

Team Size
The hospital benefits from a large multidisciplinary team including the Clinical Director, Head Nurse, Practice Manager, service leads, Veterinary Surgeons, RVNs, student nurses and dedicated support staff. The practice also operates a full night service supporting approximately 25 local veterinary practices.

A visiting orthopaedic surgeon provides additional expertise and supports the ongoing development of surgical skills within the team.

Practice Details
This purpose-built hospital provides comprehensive first opinion, emergency, inpatient and referral services supported by advanced facilities and equipment. The hospital offers referral services in internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and orthopaedic surgery and manages a high inpatient and emergency caseload.

As part of a progressive veterinary group, the hospital is committed to clinical excellence, teamwork and continuous professional development while providing significant opportunities for career growth and leadership development.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon holding a certificate in Small Animal Surgery or a similar qualification.

Applicants should be confident performing a wide range of routine and advanced soft tissue procedures, emergency surgeries, general dentistry and basic orthopaedic procedures including fracture repair. Experience leading teams, mentoring colleagues and maintaining high clinical standards is highly desirable.

Strong communication skills, a passion for surgical excellence and a commitment to supporting team development are essential. Previous leadership experience and VetGDP Adviser experience would be advantageous.

This is just some of the information about the job and company, but there will be more questions. Tempus Veterinary Recruitment is happy to get those questions answered for you during the recruiting process. Tempus Veterinary Recruitment is here to make the recruiting process simple and stress free.

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