Head Veterinary surgeon, lovely independent practice, Bedfordshire

Head Veterinary Surgeon
My client are seeking a Head Veterinary Surgeon to be a clinical leader and senior medical authority within the practice, combining advanced veterinary expertise with strategic leadership responsibilities. This role is central to delivering the highest standards of medical care while supporting team development, operational efficiency, and sustainable practice growth. The Head Vet oversees all clinical services, mentors and develops the veterinary team, and plays a key role in maintaining the practice’s reputation for compassionate, progressive animal care.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, the Head Veterinary Surgeon provides expert diagnosis, treatment, and surgical care across a diverse caseload, taking responsibility for the most complex medical and surgical cases and acting as the final clinical decision-maker. They establish, implement, and uphold clinical protocols, standards of care, and safety procedures, ensuring full compliance with all regulatory, ethical, and licensing requirements, including those set by relevant professional bodies. The role also involves leading morbidity and mortality reviews, driving continuous quality improvement, and remaining at the forefront of veterinary advancements by integrating new treatments, techniques, and technologies into everyday practice. Responsible for leading and supporting the clinical team, including associate veterinarians, nurses, and support staff. This includes fostering a positive, collaborative, and learning-focused culture, conducting performance reviews, providing mentoring and coaching, and supporting career development. They organise and lead clinical rounds, training sessions, and continuing education initiatives, while also managing staffing levels, rotas, and on-call arrangements to ensure appropriate clinical coverage at all times.
Working closely with the Practice Manager, you would contribute to the effective operation of the practice by optimising clinical workflows, improving efficiency, and supporting profitability. They act as the primary escalation point for complex client communications, complaints, and ethical concerns, ensuring consistently high standards of client care and communication. The role also includes contributing to the development of new services, pricing strategies, and marketing initiatives, as well as overseeing the management of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and clinical equipment.
You would also manage the clinical budget, monitor expenditure on medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, and analyses key performance metrics to support the financial health of the practice. Throughout all decision-making, they balance the delivery of exceptional patient care with the long-term sustainability of the business.
They are looking for :Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, along with sound business acumen and an understanding of veterinary practice economics. A commitment to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning is expected.
Additional experience such as board certification or advanced training in a specialty area, prior experience as a Head Veterinary Surgeon or Clinical Director, and familiarity with practice management systems and data analysis would be considered advantageous.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity or wish to apply, please don't hesitate to contact Louise@brightleaf.co.uk or give us a call at 01422 433900. We are dedicated to assisting talented Small Animal Veterinary Surgeons and nurses like you in finding the ideal job.

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