A unique opportunity to lead and further develop a busy orthopaedic referral service!
Bridge Referrals is a busy independent small animal referral hospital located in the North East of England. We are located between the vibrant city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the beautiful city of Durham, with excellent air/road/rail links to the rest of the UK and Europe. Our experienced team is made up of EBVS & RCVS Specialists and RCVS Advanced Practitioners, offering referral services in orthopaedics, neurology, soft tissue, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology and rehabilitation.
At Bridge Referrals our core values focus on creating a happy, friendly, working environment and supporting our team to provide the highest standard of patient care. Sustainability is also central to our mission and we are committed to minimising our environmental impact.
Having opened our doors just two and a half years ago, we are now looking for an experienced (and enthusiastic!) ECVS or ACVS specialist surgeon to lead and shape the future of our orthopaedic service. This is a brand new job role for Bridge Referrals, driven by significant and sustained growth of the orthopaedic caseload, and you will join a close-knit team of experienced referral clinicians and veterinary nurses in our mission to provide outstanding patient care at a fair price to our clients. In addition you will work closely with our Head of Soft Tissue Surgery, an ECVS Diplomat, to oversee the training and development of our surgical interns (and hopefully residents).
Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment, enabling us to offer a comprehensive range of orthopaedic services. This includes 64-slice helical CT, C-arm fluoroscopy with Retina FD technology, Arthrex 4K HD arthroscopy and a wide range of orthopaedic and neurosurgical kits and implants. As an independent practice we are open to rapid investment in new implant systems and equipment as and when the clinical need arises, without the same restrictions and delays which are inherent to some veterinary business models.
Key responsibilities of the Head of Service role:
- Leadership of the Orthopaedic team: Taking responsibility for the development, performance and expansion of the orthopaedic service.
- Provision of Specialist Clinical Care: Performing consultations, diagnostics and surgical procedures at a high level, ensuring our patients receive excellence in clinical care. We would especially welcome applications from surgeons with an interest in establishing and leading a joint replacement service.
- Collaboration with Colleagues and Referring Veterinarians: Work closely with colleagues across the hospital and our referring vets to develop relationships which uphold our values of approachability and teamwork.
- Mentoring and Training: Contributing to the training and development of colleagues and fostering continuous professional development within the department. Contributing to the orthopaedic training of interns and, in due course, surgical residents.
- Contribute to Clinical Research: Engaging in clinical research, contributing to advancements in the field of orthopaedics and sharing findings through publications.
- Ensure Department Efficiency: Ensure the orthopaedic department operates efficiently, while upholding high standards of care and service delivery to meet patient and client needs.
- Commit to Professional Development: Actively participate in continuing education, staying at the forefront of the orthopaedic field to maintain and enhance your expertise.
Qualifications:
- Membership of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) or the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Exceptional candidates who have completed a suitable residency programme but are yet to sit their board examinations may also be considered.
- Membership/Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (M/FRCVS).
- Extensive experience in small animal orthopaedics, with a demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- A commitment to providing the highest standards of patient care in a supportive and sustainable environment.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- 5 weeks holiday + birthday + bank holidays. Paid lunch break.
- Employer contribution to pension scheme, generous sick and parental leave policies.
- Generous opportunities for professional development and career advancement. CPD actively encouraged and funded.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
- Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate.
- Above all, a rare opportunity to lead and further develop a high-end referral service within an independent veterinary practice, with all of the flexibility and opportunities inherent to this!
For an informal discussion about this position with one of the hospital Directors, please contact [email protected].
For an informal chat with our Head of Soft Tissue Surgery (who started the equivalent job role ~18 months ago) please contact [email protected].
