Veterinary Surgeon

Veterinary Surgeon Opportunity

1 in 4 Saturdays | Strong Clinical Support | Excellent Work–Life Balance

Chess Veterinary Clinic – Rickmansworth

Full-time (40 hours) | Part-time considered

Salary £45,000-£65,000 DOE

A Role Where You Can Practise High-Quality Medicine — Without Compromise

Are you an experienced small animal vet looking for a practice that combines clinical standards, loyal clients, excellent facilities and genuine team support?

At Chess Veterinary Clinic, we are proud of our 75-year reputation for trusted, compassionate care — and we’re looking for a Veterinary Surgeon who shares our commitment to doing things properly.

This is an opportunity to join a well-equipped, established practice where your clinical opinion is valued, your development is encouraged, and your work–life balance is protected.

Why Experienced Vets Choose Chess

Proper Clinical Work-Ups, Not Just Quick Fixes

We have the facilities and client base to allow thorough investigation and gold-standard care:

• In-house lab (including thyroid, cPLI, cortisol, routine haematology & biochemistry)
• Digital radiography including dental
• Ultrasonography for abdominal and cardiac scans
• Silver Cat Friendly status (Rickmansworth)

You’ll have the time, equipment and support to practise high-quality first opinion medicine and surgery with confidence.

A Sustainable Rota

• 40 hours per week
• 1 in 4 Saturdays
• No excessive weekend commitment
• Part-time applications welcomed

We understand that career longevity depends on balance — and we rota accordingly.

Real Clinical Development

Whether you’re looking to:

• Start a certificate
• Build confidence in surgery
• Develop a clinical niche
• Progress into leadership

You’ll be fully supported with:

• Generous CPD allowance + 4 funded CPD days annually
• Access to the comprehensive Linnaeus CPD programme (including certificate-level support)
• A collaborative team environment where cases are discussed openly

We actively encourage professional progression — not just in theory, but in action.

The Team & Culture

We are a genuinely close-knit, welcoming team who pride ourselves on collaboration and mutual respect. Many of our team members have been with us for years — something we believe speaks volumes about our culture.

We are a training practice, value continuous learning, and encourage open discussion of cases and ideas.

Located near the beautiful Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Chorleywood Common, with excellent transport links into London and access to the Chilterns countryside, this is a fantastic place to build both career and lifestyle

Benefits That Matter

• 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
• RCVS & VDS fees paid
• Life assurance
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount schemes
• Recruitment referral rewards
• Comprehensive wellbeing support including EAP, eye care vouchers, flu jab, Cycle to Work

About Us

Chess Veterinary Clinic has been serving the Hertfordshire community for 75 years, building trusted relationships with generations of clients.

We are part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health — combining the stability and investment of a global veterinary network with the feel of a close-knit local clinic.

That means:

• Access to specialist advice
• Long-term career pathways
• A genuine focus on people, not just profit

Who We’re Looking For

We would particularly welcome applications from vets who:

• Have solid small animal GP experience
• Enjoy building strong client relationships
• Value collaboration and case discussion
• Want to continue growing clinically
• Take pride in delivering exceptional patient care

New graduates will be considered if the right cultural fit — but this role is especially suited to a vet ready to step confidently into a well-supported first-opinion position.

Chess Veterinary Clinic is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.    

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.   

We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.