Veterinary Surgeon – Essex
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Job Type: Permanent – Full-time (open to part-time applicants)
Hours: 40 hours per week over 4 days, 1 in 4 weekends, No OOH

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon with a surgical bias to join a progressive, well-equipped 24-hour hospital in Essex.

This role offers the perfect blend of clinical variety, advanced facilities, and genuine work-life balance — ideal for a vet who enjoys working on complex cases while maintaining a sustainable rota.

The Hospital

This RCVS-accredited small animal hospital provides first opinion, emergency, and referral-level services. The hospital’s facilities include CT, MRI, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, laser therapy, and rehabilitation, enabling the team to deliver an exceptional standard of care to every patient.

You’ll be part of a large, multidisciplinary team of over 14 vets, including certificate holders in surgery and medicine, and others currently pursuing additional qualifications in orthopaedics, cardiology, exotics, and internal medicine. The nursing team is highly skilled, with Schedule 3 and imaging-trained nurses, physiotherapists, hydrotherapists, and experienced client care advisers.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a confident and experienced vet with a strong interest in surgery — ideally with experience in complex procedures and emergency cases.
An interest in laparoscopic surgery would be an advantage but is not essential.

You’ll be a good communicator, a supportive team player, and someone who enjoys working collaboratively in a busy, forward-thinking hospital environment.

Rota & Work-Life Balance

• 4-day working week (40 hours total)

• 1 in 4 weekends

• No OOH

• Minimal on-call rota (3–4 times per year)

• Part-time applicants considered (must be able to work 1 in 4 weekends)

Benefits

• Salary up to £70,000 (DOE / FTE)

• Generous CPD allowance + certificate funding

• Supportive management and structured career development

• 5.6 weeks annual leave, rising to 6.6 weeks after 2 years’ service

• Private health insurance

• Contributory pension scheme

• RCVS, BVA & VDS fees paid

• Visa sponsorship available (Skilled Worker route)

• Reward and wellbeing platform access

• Cycle to work scheme

• 20% staff discount across partner retail and pet care services

• Access to colleague assistance and wellbeing programmes

If you’re a dedicated small animal vet seeking to advance your surgical skills within a modern, forward-thinking hospital that values professional development and balance, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Apply now or contact Ciaran Drew at Global Veterinary Careers for more information:
📧 ciaran.drew@gvcvets.com
📞 01392 793241