Experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Kin Vet Community; Colchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £55,000 + DOE

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Private healthcare from April 2027

4% employer pension contribution

Employee Assistance Programme

Free eye tests

Job summary

Penrose Veterinary Group in Colchester is looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join a collaborative clinical team delivering high-quality first-opinion care. You will work with a supportive nursing and diagnostic setup to manage a varied caseload.

Join Kin Vet Community resources while enjoying a stable schedule and opportunities for professional growth within a community-focused practice.

Qualifications

• Experienced Veterinary Surgeon capable of delivering high-quality first-opinion care.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload independently.
• Comfort with routine soft-tissue procedures and emergency care.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality first-opinion care within a collaborative team.
• Perform routine soft-tissue surgery and case work-ups.
• Manage urgent and emergency presentations.
• Develop clinically through mentoring and CPD.

Skills

First-opinion care

Caseload independence

Soft-tissue surgery

Emergency care

Team collaboration

Clinical development

Education

Veterinary Surgeon degree

Tools

Digital radiography

Ultrasound

Endoscopy

Job description

Do your best clinical work - with a team that backs you.

Penrose Veterinary Group - Colchester

A role where you can do your best clinical work, feel genuinely supported by your team, and know that your contribution makes a real difference.

If you are looking for a role where clinical standards and people are valued equally, Penrose could be the place for you. For more than 35 years, we have cared for pets and their owners across Colchester, building an experienced team and a reputation for compassionate, high-quality veterinary care.

A close-knit practice, with wider support

We believe great veterinary care starts with great people. That means trusting our vets, giving them the support and equipment to do their jobs well, and creating space for them to develop the clinical interests that matter to them.

Penrose is part of Kin Vet Community, a small collective of like-minded community veterinary practices. This gives us access to shared expertise, collaboration and investment while allowing Penrose to retain the individuality, autonomy and culture that make the practice special.

You get the best of both worlds: the familiarity and relationships of a local practice, with the reassurance of a wider veterinary community behind you.

A team that makes the difference.

What matters most at Penrose is how people work together. You will be joining a supportive clinical team that values kindness, professionalism, collaboration and high standards of care.

• Eight experienced RVNs providing excellent day-to-day clinical support
• Leaders who listen, encourage and empower
• A culture where ideas, experience and nursing input are valued
• A shared commitment to wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance
• Access to colleagues and expertise across the wider Kin Vet Community

The result is an environment where you can feel trusted, appreciated and able to concentrate on providing the best possible care for your patients and clients.

The role.

We are looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys delivering high-quality first-opinion care and wants to be part of a collaborative clinical team.

The role offers clinical variety, freedom and the opportunity to work cases up thoroughly, supported by excellent nursing colleagues and modern diagnostic facilities.

Your caseload will include

• General consultations and preventative healthcare
• Medical case work-ups and ongoing management
• Routine soft-tissue surgery
• Urgent and emergency presentations
• More complex cases including GDVs, septic abdomens and exploratory laparotomies

Facilities that help you do the job properly.

Penrose combines a varied first-opinion caseload with the equipment and support clinicians need to practice confidently including:

• Modern digital radiography, including a brand-new X-ray system
• High-quality ultrasound equipment
• Endoscopy and bronchoscopy facilities for advanced diagnostics
• Strong nursing involvement across consultations, procedures and patient care.

Working pattern.

The role is worked within practice hours of 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, with 1 in 3 Saturday mornings.

This is a practice-based role with no routine travel, and parking is available on site.

Your development matters.

Whether you are an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking for a supportive long-term home, or you want an environment where you can keep building your confidence and skills, we will help you to grow.

• £2,500 annual CPD allowance for Veterinary Surgeons
• Support towards certificates and individual clinical interests
• Mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing from experienced colleagues
• Clear opportunities for career progression and leadership development
• Access to the wider clinical support and expertise of Kin Vet Community

A benefits package designed around life as well as work.

• Salary of £55,000 + DOE
• 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days after five years
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave - up to six months at 90% pay depending on length of service
• Enhanced paternity leave - up to four weeks' full pay
• Five days' family leave for compassionate or emergency circumstances
• Private healthcare from April 2027 4% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential well-being support
• Free eye tests and Occupational Health support
• BVA membership and VetLexicon access
• RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Staff discount on veterinary care within our practices

Together, these benefits are designed to support you, your family and your career - not just during your time at work.

About you.

We would love to hear from an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who:

• Is confident managing a varied first-opinion caseload independently
• Can perform routine neutering, lump removals and other routine soft-tissue procedures independently
• Takes a compassionate, client-focused approach
• Enjoys working collaboratively and supporting colleagues
• Can manage urgent and emergency presentations within their capability
• Is keen to continue developing clinically

Mentoring experience is welcome but not essential. No postgraduate certificate is required, and Penrose will support the clinical interests you want to develop.

Life in and around Colchester.

Colchester offers a lively, historic city base with green spaces, the Essex countryside and the coast all within reach - giving you plenty of options when the working day ends.

Could Penrose be your next long-term home?

At Penrose, your contribution will be seen and valued. You will be part of a practice that supports good clinical work and wants you to build a career you can feel proud of.

We would love to tell you more about the role, introduce you to the team and discuss what your future at Penrose could look like.