The Senior Veterinary Surgeon is the team leader within a PetAid hospital and is responsible for ensuring the PetAid hospital provides an efficient, professional and caring service to eligible clients in accordance with PDSA policies and procedures. He/she is responsible for managing the flow of cases through the PetAid hospital and ensuring that a good standard of treatment is achieved in a consistent and cost-effective manner.
As senior manager on site, the Senior Veterinary Surgeon is expected to promote a positive image of PDSA to clients, outside agencies and individuals who contact the PetAid hospital and encourage an atmosphere of support. He/she is also responsible for liaison with local private veterinary practices regarding re-direction and referral cases.
The Senior Veterinary Surgeon is the senior clinician within the PetAid hospital. He/she is expected to undertake a share of the clinical work whilst directing and guiding other members of the veterinary team. Management responsibilities include recruitment and selection, counseling and discipline, rota management and staff training.
The Senior Veterinary Surgeon is responsible for managing the overall finances of the PetAid hospital and ensuring the provision of accurate and timely management information/reports to relevant regional and head office departments. In addition, the Senior Veterinary Surgeon acts as Local Safety Manager with responsibility for ensuring staff work in accordance with Health & Safety legislation and approved safe working practices.
Senior Veterinary Surgeons report to a Principle Veterinary Surgeon, and are supported within their PetAid hospital by a Head Nurse. They are expected to keep their professional knowledge updated by taking part in continuous professional development initiatives and to encourage other team members to do the same.
Conditions of employment
- Clear contract of employment.
- 38 hour working week standard 7.5 hour day finishing by 6.00pm.
- Minimum on call commitment of 1 in 4. With some sites now having up to 1 in 18 on call.
- 25 days annual holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service.
- Bank holidays covered on a rota basis with time off in lieu.
- Overtime is very rare and repaid as time off in lieu.
- Annual salary review for cost of living rises plus published incremental salary scales.
- Membership of occupational pension scheme after satisfying eligibility criteria. Access to a stakeholder scheme from commencement of your employment.
How do I apply?
Individuals wishing to apply for a PDSA post as Senior Veterinary Surgeon must be experienced veterinary surgeons, preferably with experience of practice management and with the skills and ability to manage a busy team.
Full details of current vacancies for Senior Veterinary Surgeons, including specific job descriptions, are available online.
If you have a question about employment opportunities within PDSA please use the email enquiry form to contact us. We will be pleased to hear from you.
Vacancies are also advertised in the Veterinary Record.
Job descriptions and application forms are also available from the Human Resources Department, PDSA, Whitechapel Way, Priorslee, Telford, TF2 9PQ.
