Veterinary Surgeon

Forest House Veterinary Group; England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established independent veterinary practice in Windsor is seeking an experienced first-opinion vet to join their supportive team. This role offers clinical freedom, allowing you to embrace your skills in consulting and performing both routine and advanced soft-tissue surgeries. With a varied caseload and excellent facilities, you will have the opportunity to grow professionally while working alongside a dedicated team. Enjoy a balanced work schedule with no overnight on-call requirements and the chance to engage in a friendly social environment outside of work. If you’re passionate about veterinary medicine and looking for a collaborative atmosphere, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

22.5 days holiday

CPD encouraged

Professional fees paid

Private Medical Insurance

Perks scheme

Business mileage reimbursed

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience in veterinary medicine and soft-tissue surgeries.
• Strong ultrasound skills and ability to provide inpatient care.

Responsibilities

• Consulting and performing routine and advanced surgeries.
• Providing dedicated inpatient care and diagnostic investigations.

Skills

Ultrasound skills

Soft-tissue surgeries

Consulting

Inpatient care

Veterinary medicine

Education

Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Job description

Ready to embrace the clinical freedom to grow within a supportive team that values your ideas? Our progressive, independent hospital practice might be just what you’re looking for!

About Us

At Forest House, we're really proud of our history – we have been established in Windsor for over 150 years and were actually one of the first practices in the UK to be awarded Veterinary Hospital status back in the 1970s. Forest House is a truly independent practice, and this is something we really value. It gives us the freedom to make the best decisions for our team, fostering a progressive and supportive environment where fresh ideas are always encouraged. As a result, we have a long-standing team, with many of us having been here for over 10 years and some for even more than 20 years! As a team, we are dedicated to providing the highest levels of care for our patients, and this means embracing change, growing together and continually investing in the most up-to-date equipment and techniques.

Our hospital has excellent facilities, enabling us to keep the majority of cases in-house; these include a bright and spacious prep room, two theatres - with one dedicated for orthopaedics procedures, an imaging room with ultrasound, and digital and dental X-ray, separate cat and dog facilities, four consult rooms and a relaxing garden, a space that the team enjoys during the summer. We have recently invested in an Idexx Sedivue machine and are considering adding laparoscopy to further enhance our services. We also have two consult-only branch surgeries in Ascot and Egham.

Our Team

Principal vet Martin graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1986. After spending a year as a house surgeon specialising in small animal and equine surgery and 3 years at a busy mixed practice in the central lowlands of Scotland, he moved South to Windsor to join Forest House. Martin enjoys all aspects of veterinary work and has a special interest in orthopaedics and cattle medicine.While our caseload consists mainly of small animals (95%), we also have a few farm and equine clients and small holdings that Martin attends to. He is also an FEI official vet, serves on the committee for the Windsor Horse Show, leads the team at The London International Horse Show, andprovides veterinary cover at numerous racecourses in the area.

Isabel graduated from Madrid in 2008 and is particularly interested in internal medicine and cardiology. She has a certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. Whilst she loves it here, after 9 years, she is returning to Spain to be close to her family. Alana has worked in small animal practice since graduating in 2011 and has completed certificates in small animal medicine and diagnostic imaging. She also has a degree in animal behaviour. Tom, who completed a degree in biology before graduating as a vet in 2014, has a particular interest in exotics, and Sue enjoys ophthalmology.We will soon welcome our new graduates, Malinder and Henry. Having had the pleasure of getting to know them during their EMS training, we know they will be a fantastic addition to our team, and we can't wait to help them flourish as they begin their veterinary careers. We're also looking forward to Jess joining us soon. With two years of experience, Jess brings a strong interest in feline medicine and behaviour, and is eager to pursue a surgical certificate. She is currently developing her laparoscopic skills.

Our vets are fully supported by an excellent nursing team of 5 RVN’s and 5 SVN’s and an experienced team of receptionists and admin staff.

One of our locum vets recently commented, “These guys are GREAT! A really lovely, fun bunch to work with and working to high standards.One of the best practices I have locumed for.”

The Role

With Isabel heading home to Spain, we are looking for an experienced first-opinion vet who is confident consulting, performing both routine and more advanced soft-tissue surgeries, diagnostic investigations and providing dedicated inpatient care. We'd be thrilled to find someone with a medicine bias and good ultrasound skills, and our varied caseload offers excellent support for those pursuing or considering a certificate.

A driver's license is essential since you will work at all three sites, although you will primarily be based at the hospital. Ascot and Egham are about 15 minutes away. There is no sole charge.

We are ideally looking for a vet who can work a 3-day week, with just 1:5 weekends or half a weekend shared with another part-time vet. We are also open to exploring different options, such as a 4-day week or the flexibility to do 4 days some weeks to cover the planned absence of one of the other vets. The majority of shifts start at either 8 or 8.30 am and finish between 5.30 and 6.30 pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offer consultations until 8 pm at Windsor.

There are no overnight on-call requirements for our vets; any emergencies after 9 pm on weekdays and 5 pm on weekends are handled by our OOH partner, Vets Now. You will have one late shift each week (1-9 pm) and, dependent on the day, will either consult until 6.30 or 8 pm and then be on-call until the phones go over to Vets Now at 9 pm. Any inpatients are cared for at our hospital, where we have a nurse on site 24/7. Our nurses will also collect any patients admitted overnight to our OOH partner so that they can be brought back to the hospital for ongoing care.

The weekend duty includes consultations on Saturday (8.30 am to 12 pm) and Sunday (10 am to 11 am), followed by being on-call until 5 pm when Vets Now takes over.

Outside of Work

We’re a friendly bunch and enjoy each other's company outside of work, too. Our social scene is pretty laid-back and easygoing; whether we’re heading down to the local pub for drinks and a meal (which is a firm favourite) or spontaneously organising fun activities like BBQS, dog walks, or playdates for the kids, there's always a great turnout. And, of course, we always make time for a Christmas celebration, even if it sometimes turns into a "February do" due to everyone's busy festive schedules!

Windsor is a historic town renowned for its royal connections and picturesque setting on the River Thames. Beyond the castle are lovely restaurants, pubs and shops to explore, and plenty of green spaces for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature. Windsor benefits from excellent transport links, with easy access to the M4 and direct trains to London Paddington in 30 minutes and London Waterloo in under an hour. For travel further afield, Heathrow Airport is just 20 minutes away.

The Package

• A salary of £55,000 - £70,000 (pro rata) depending on experience
• 22.5 days holiday, including bank holidays (based on a 3-day week)
• CPD encouraged and certificates fully supported
• Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS and BSAVA
• Private Medical Insurance
• Perks scheme – covers eye tests, therapies, and money towards dental treatment
• Business mileage reimbursed
• Free on-site parking

If you would like to learn more about us, please feel free to call for an informal chat or apply now.