Senior Veterinary Surgeon/ Clinical Lead

Armstrong Vets; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks paid holiday

Health Cash Plan

RCVS Membership paid

VDS cover

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Valley Vets is a well-established, RCVS-accredited small animal hospital in Cardiff seeking an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon to join our 24/7 hospital team and lead clinical care. This hospital-based role offers leadership opportunities and a balanced pattern with up to 4 days per week (38 hours).

The salary is up to £75,000 depending on experience. Join a dedicated team delivering exceptional patient care across medicine, surgery and emergency services, with protected time for

Qualifications

• Significant small animal hospital experience.
• Ability to manage varied medical and surgical caseload.
• Experience mentoring and supporting colleagues.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Thrives in a collaborative hospital environment.
• Committed to outstanding patient and client care.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical team while remaining clinically active.
• Shape clinical standards and drive continuous improvement.
• Support development of colleagues and junior staff.
• Manage a broad caseload across medicine and surgery.
• Provide leadership within a 24/7 hospital setting.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Collaboration

Clinical excellence

Job description

Senior Veterinary Surgeon/ Clinical Lead

Valley Vets - Valley Veterinary Hospital

Small Animal

Full time

Permanent

Senior Veterinary Surgeon/ Clinical Lead

Valley Veterinary Hospital, Cardiff

Up to 4 days per week | Hospital-based role | Leadership opportunity

** Salary – up to £75,000 dependent on experience**

Valley Vets is a well-established, RCVS-accredited Small Animal Hospital with a reputation for clinical excellence, outstanding patient care, and investment in both our people and facilities.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon to join our thriving 24/7 hospital team.

The Role:

As a Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Valley Vets, you’ll play a key role in both our clinical team and the future direction of the practice. Alongside delivering exceptional patient care across a diverse caseload, you’ll help shape clinical standards, support the development of colleagues, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and clinical excellence.

Our vision for this role is leadership through collaboration - being a senior clinician who leads from within the team, remaining clinically engaged while supporting and developing those around you. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how we work, share your experience and help drive high standards of patient and client care.

Protected time will be provided for the administrative and leadership responsibilities of the role, which we anticipate will account for approximately 10% of your working week, keeping the role predominantly clinical.

Our unique caseload combines first-opinion practice with hospital-based medicine, surgery, inpatient care, and emergency work. As the out-of-hours provider for around 40 local practices, you'll have exposure to a broad range of medical and surgical cases, offering plenty of variety and opportunities to further develop your interests.

Working Pattern

• Up to 4 days per week (38 hours over 4 days)
• 1 x 9-hour weekend shift every fifth weekend, mainly consulting
• 1 x 12-hour bank holiday shift per year
• Flexible working options considered

Every shift is supported by experienced veterinary colleagues, a large team of RVNs and ACAs, and a dedicated reception team.

About You:

We're looking for a veterinary surgeon who:

• Has significant small animal hospital experience
• Is confident managing a varied medical and surgical caseload
• Enjoys mentoring and supporting colleagues
• Demonstrates excellent communication and leadership skills
• Thrives in a collaborative hospital environment
• Is committed to delivering outstanding patient and client care

About Us:

At Valley Vets, we are proud to invest heavily in both our people and our facilities. We are committed to providing the equipment, support and clinical freedom needed to work cases up thoroughly and pursue individual clinical interests.

Our hospital facilities include:

• 24/7 inpatient care
• CT scanner
• Advanced ultrasonography
• Endosurgery facilities
• Extensive in-house laboratory equipment, including TEG and blood gas analysis
• Dedicated orthopaedic, soft tissue, and exotic theatres
• Dedicated ECC wards
• In-house rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy

The Local Area

Valley Vets is ideally located in South Wales, offering the perfect balance of city living, coastline, and countryside.

Within easy commuting distance, you can enjoy:

• Vibrant city life in Cardiff
• Beautiful beaches and coastal villages in the Vale of Glamorgan
• Stunning mountain scenery in the Valleys and Brecon Beacons National Park

The area offers exceptional sporting and leisure opportunities, from Cardiff's International Sports Village and world-class events at the Principality Stadium to renowned mountain biking trails, coastal walks, and some of the UK's most spectacular hiking and waterfall routes.

As proud members of the VetPartners family our fantastic range of benefits includes (pro rata):

• 6.6 weeks paid holiday including bank holidays
• £1750 and 5 days CPD Allowance per annum
• Health Cash Plan – offering a wide range of benefits for health and wellbeing treatments - from dentistry to sports massage
• RCVS Membership paid and two other membership subscriptions
• VDS cover
• Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and surrogacy pay
• Discounted veterinary fees
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel, entertainment and much more
• Cycle to Work scheme
• CPD/training support
• Company sick pay
• Annual pay reviews
• Focus on employee wellbeing
• Career progression opportunities
• Relocation allowance for candidates applying directly

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