Here at Longwater, we are looking for a confident, first-opinion Veterinary Surgeon to join our fantastic team.  This role is flexible to fit the interests of the successful candidate and will involve carrying out consultations, routine surgeries, and dental work at our branch practice.

This role would suit someone who has the sufficient clinical experience to feel happy working sole-charge, with the full support of our main hospital branch for case discussion and transfer of cases that require further investigation, treatment or hospitalisation as needed.

 

The ideal candidate would be interested in career progression with support from our Clinical Directors and Practice Managers. You will be someone who will take staff “under their wing” allowing the clinic to prosper and thrive. The successful candidate will need to liaise effectively with our main hospital where any complex cases can be sent for treatment, investigations, hospitalisation, and overnight care. There is an opportunity to spend time solely at the branch practice or include some work at the main hospital depending on personal preference.

We would love someone who would be keen to take the lead Vet role at Longwater; no previous experience in management or leadership would be required, but the successful candidate would be enthusiastic and show excellent communication skills and a strong teamwork ethic. A love of building client and pet relationships is essential.

 

We know that everyone has demands and priorities outside of their career and we want to make it brilliantly easy for you to strike the right balance. Whether you are looking to fix or flex your work patterns, we can find the right solution for you.

Our vets usually work between the hours of 8am – 6.30pm and most choose to work their hours over 4 days, however, we are happy to accept both full and part-time candidates, we can offer great flexibility within this role as we understand how important a good work/life balance is. There is also a share of 1:4 Saturday morning consulting.

The successful candidate would be required to work 2 bank holidays per year at the main hospital as part of a team of experienced vets and nurses. Further out-of-hours work could be considered for those with an interest in emergency work, but usually, this is covered by our main hospital.

 

The team at Longwater is fully supported by our main hospital at Taverham (10 minutes by car), which provides a comprehensive service including out-of-hours, hospitalisation, ultrasound, endoscopy, orthopaedics, laparoscopic surgery etc with certificate holders in all these disciplines.  The branch itself has dedicated support staff including Receptionists, Animal Nursing Assistants and Registered Veterinary Nurses. Our new graduate program includes time working at the Longwater branch and as such an interest in training or mentoring of newly qualified vets would be an advantage.

 

Longwater is home to our rehabilitation service with treadmill hydrotherapy unit and in-house physiotherapists as well as our RVN led ‘Cat Hotel’.  The successful candidate would need to oversee the running of these additional services to ensure excellent service to our clients across all areas of the branch.

 

Longwater Lane Vets is based in the civil parish of Costessey, just 4 miles west of the vibrant city of Norwich and under an hour from some of the best beaches the UK has to offer! Costessey itself is full of fantastic amenities including four welcoming pubs, the prestigious Norfolk Showground and Longwater Retail Park. The area also benefits from an abundance of green spaces and the scenic beauty of the river.

 

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 -

6.6 weeks annual leave

Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay

Cycle to Work scheme

Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing

Non-accidental injury support

£1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid pro rata

Certificate support

Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy

Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider

All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding

All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund

Infection Prevention and Control Programme

Quality Improvement Programme

BVA membership

VDS cover

RCVS fees

Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100’s of retailers

Pension – 5% Employee/3% Employer

Discounted staff pet care