Investors in people

THE RIGHT PEOPLE

While animals are at the centre of what we do, we also care deeply about the people who work for our organisation.

We are a dynamic veterinary diagnostic pathology provider and by supporting and investing in our team of exceptional people,  our mission is to always provide the best possible advice and care for our clients, with the healthcare of animals at the forefront of everything we do.

Innovation, research and development, and advancing medical and scientific practice are all hallmarks of what makes us who we are. At the VPG, we invest in people and training and progression is one of our founding principles, with the majority of the Senior Leadership Team progressing from within the company.

Join us if you would like to be part of a forward thinking, ethically responsible and expert team.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUALITY

We recognise that the strength of our team lies in the diversity of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each individual brings to the table. We firmly believe that fostering a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and equality is not only a moral imperative but also essential for driving innovation and excellence in our work. Embracing a wide range of talents and perspectives allows us to approach complex challenges with creativity and adaptability, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our patients and clients.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique skills to our shared mission of advancing veterinary diagnostics. Join us in creating a workplace where diversity is not just celebrated, but integral to our success in providing the best possible care for animals.

Explore our transparent pay scales and harmonised progression system, seamlessly integrated across the entire organisation.

A list of our current vacancies can be found below:

Laboratory Technician

Histology, Full-time hours per week

Location: On site / Bristol, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Medical diagnostics
Annual Salary Range: from £ 26,500.00 to £ 29,000.00

Benefits

  • Life Assurance
  • Discount platform (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel)
  • 25 days annual leave (28 days after 3 years of service)
  • Enhanced absences (sickness and parental)
  • Learning & Development opportunities
  • Dog friendly offices

Job Summary

The Veterinary Pathology Group (VPG) is a dynamic veterinary diagnostic pathology company, specialising in the processing and reporting of biopsy specimens submitted by veterinary surgeons. At VPG Histology, tissue samples processed within the lab are examined by veterinary pathologists, generating high-quality reports, with an emphasis on making an accurate diagnosis and providing the veterinary surgeon with as much useful clinical information as possible. Furthermore, the laboratory actively supports clinical research to further the understanding of animal disease and to benefit veterinary patients.

The postholder will undertake rotation through grossing, embedding, microtomy and staining (H&E). They are responsible for the day to day functioning of their designated section within the VPG Histology service and participate in the routine processing of the submitted samples, as well as ensuring the routine maintenance of the laboratory equipment. They are expected to identify, highlight and action any issues, which may put the service at risk. All duties are expected to be carried out in a manner that supports company targets and ensures compliance with standard operating procedures.

Core Competencies

  • Work safely in the laboratory – following all relevant SOP’s, health and safety, risk assessments and COSHH documentation.
  • Understand and follow all quality procedures to meet the required quality standards
  • Understand and comply with any internal or external regulations relevant to the workplace
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, including laboratory maintenance procedures, cleaning, and decontamination
  • Understand and perform management, control, and disposal of laboratory waste
  • Always understand and adhere to Good Laboratory Practices
  • Undertake any mandatory training as required by the business

Duties and responsibilities

  • Be competent to work on rotation for:
  • Grossing of non-complex samples: 10-15 (lower band) to 20-25 (higher band) cases per hour
  • Embedding: 50-55 (lower band) to 70-80 (higher band) cassettes per hour
  • Microtomy: 20-25 (lower band) to 35-40 (higher band) blocks per hour
  • Assist in pathologist-led grossing (only higher band)
  • Independently carry out special stains
  • Operate tissue processors
  • Maintain tidiness and cleanliness in own working area
  • Participate in the reception, preparation, and documentation of specimens in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.
  • Participate in the entry of data to laboratory computer systems.
  • Prepare staining solutions and reagents and assist in the maintenance of adequate stocks of reagents and consumables.
  • Ensure the efficient and safe use of consumables and equipment within the working area.
  • Be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment with which they are working.
  • Assist in developing/ improving procedures, H&S, QA and ECG initiatives
  • Participate in record keeping processes, including maintenance records, electronic and paper based.
  • Participate in internal quality control procedures.
  • Participate in risk management of the department including error reporting and corrective actions
  • Lead slide quality control and matching

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes & Experience

Essential

  • A flexible self-motivated team player
  • BSc Honours Degree in BMS, Biology or equivalent OR sufficient (multiple years) previous experience in laboratory work
  • Previous laboratory experience
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure
  • Competence to work proficiently in all sections
  • Knowledge and experience of histopathology technique or willingness to learn
  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan workload
  • Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Basic computer skills

Desirable

  • Experience of working with other LIMS systems
  • Understanding of administrative systems and computer applications in use within Pathology
  • A good understanding of animal diseases relevant to the testing service.
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Veterinary Clinical Pathologist

Remote/Hybrid, Full-time hours per week

Location: Remote / United Kingdom
job type: Permanent / Full or Part-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Medical diagnostics
Salary: Competitive Salary

Benefits:

  • Flexibility to work on-site at one of our VPG sites, hybrid or fully remote
  • Full time and part-time hours available
  • Productivity bonus (up to 40%)
  • Life Assurance / Death in Service
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Enhanced Absences (annual leave, sick pay, parental leave)
  • Employee discounts (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel)
  • Learning & Development opportunities
  • Dog friendly offices

Responsibilities:

 

  • Ensure that all clinical pathology reporting and interpretations of laboratory submissions are performed and completed each working day, with a customer-centric approach.
  • Ensure that all turnaround times are met, and that client support and satisfaction are guaranteed.
  • Dealing with telephone calls, emails, answerphone messages and post in a timely and appropriate manner or forwarding them to the appropriate person.
  • Interact and support lab staff in day to day operations and so results are reported as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
  • Deliver a market leading pathology service to all clients of VPG, including client and student education, projects and research (internal and external) aiming at improving the service according to individual agreements and as agreed with the Head of Pathology and Director of Pathology.
  • Expanding and maintaining professional standards by fulfilling CPD requirements.
  • Contribute to the Saturday Rota

 

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes & Experience:

Essential

  • An accepted Veterinary medicine degree from an RCVS approved and accredited institution.
  • RCVS membership (or equivalent for non-UK applicants).
  • Board Certification and Specialisation in ACVP, ECVP, FRCPath (Board Eligible Candidates will also be considered).
  • Excellent computer skills, including good understanding of applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • A friendly, confident and polite telephone manner.
  • Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
  • Client oriented mindset – ability to deliver the highest level of customer care to clients, at all times.
  • Good skills in accuracy and numeracy.
  • Ability to communicate with a wide range of levels of staff within the laboratory.
  • Well-developed interpersonal and team working abilities.
  • Able to concentrate for a prolonged period of time.
  • Good time management and organisational skills.

Desirable

  • Board Certification in ACVIM, ECVIM, or other internal medicine specialisation/accreditation.
  • Other additional training or research in a veterinary related field (i.e.: residencies, internships, PhD).
  • Experience in teaching, coaching and training (e.g., students, laboratory staff and residents).
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Director of Pathology

Remote/Hybrid, Full-time hours per week

Location: Remote / United Kingdom
job type: Permanent / Full or Part-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Medical diagnostics
Salary: Competitive Salary

Are you an experienced veterinary or medical professional with a passion for leadership and innovation? Do you thrive in a role where you can shape the future of veterinary medicine while mentoring and developing a talented team?

We are seeking a dynamic individual to lead our Veterinary Pathology services at VPG. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong leadership skills and a background in veterinary or medical science to play a pivotal role in recruitment, training, research, and service excellence. You will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards in diagnostic pathology while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for our pathologists, residents, and laboratory teams.

In return, we offer a highly rewarding role with excellent benefits, including private medical insurance, life assurance, enhanced leave, and a dog-friendly office! If you are looking for a leadership position where your expertise can make a real difference, we encourage you to apply today.

Job Benefits:

  • Life Assurance
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Discount platform (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel)
  • 25 days annual leave (28 days after 3 years of service)
  • Enhanced absences (sickness and parental)
  • Learning & Development opportunities
  • Dog friendly offices
  • Onsite, remote or hybrid
  • Full time or part time

Job Summary:

  • Ultimately Responsible for Veterinary Pathology resource across VPG, including recruitment, retention, training, CPD, expert opinion and adequate staffing to deliver on caseload within TAT and that client support and satisfaction are guaranteed daily.
  • Manage, decide, and allocate pathology training budget
  • Deliver a market leading pathology service to all clients of VPG, including client and student education, business development and marketing activities, projects and research
  • In this role the employee complies with requirements for line managers as outlined by HR.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Lead recruitment of Pathologists, Residents and Pathology related roles across VPG, ensuring compliance with Resourcing Policy including undertaking all required security checks.
  • Undertake regular onsite meetings and visits to all VPG Laboratories to develop and maintain high levels of collaboration and engagement within the Pathology Department.
  • Responsible for Pathologist Resource and turnaround times (TATs). Work with Pathology Operations Manager, Laboratory Directors, Heads of Pathology, Head of Resident training, and Pathology Support Coordinators to manage systems for group wide pathology resource on a daily basis and distributing work to achieve optimal TATs and ensuring there is adequate pathology staffing at all times at all laboratories
  • Decide and allocate pathology training budget for pathology CPD in conjunction with heads of pathology ensuring the budget is shared fairly amongst the pathologist and resident team and that there is adequate staffing around the business to allow staff members to attend conferences.
  • Lead Pathology communication across the group, organise, plan and chair group wide clinical pathology meetings and circulate pathology related information from business projects and the executive team.
  • Allocate pathologists to speak at upcoming conferences. Have a plan for the year of all the speaking engagements coming up and who is going to speak on them. Work with the BD team to ensure that alongside larger conferenced planned at the beginning of the year, smaller speaking events are also supported by the clinical pathology team.
  • Work on future pathology related projects such as LIMS implementation, New test development, research and innovation and be effective and timely in the delivery of your integrative and groupwide projects taking a lead role in the complex coordination and project management
  • Contribute constructively, decisively, and consistently to the senior leadership team and play a central role in formulating strategy
  • To ensure that the pathology service achieves the financial targets set within the context of the performance of the whole group.
  • To understand the current and potential client base with active and ongoing engagement and discussion
  • To perceive specific opportunities for long term change and improvement within own function or operation, or for the group.
  • Reviews customer and client satisfaction measures and identifies opportunities to improve. Appropriately challenges existing ways of working, empowering employees to meet client needs. All decisions made will consider the impact on the client.

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes & Experience

Desirable

  • An accepted Veterinary medicine degree from an RCVS approved and accredited institution.
  • A Medical Degree
  • RCVS membership
  • Board Certification and Specialisation in ACVP, ECVP, FRCPath, ACVIM or ECVIM
  • PhD in a veterinary related field
  • Experience in teaching, coaching and training (e.g. students, laboratory staff and residents)
  • Well-developed interpersonal and team working abilities.

How to Apply

  • Please submit an up to date CV and covering letter
  • Closing date 31st March 2025
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Laboratory Assistant – Hitchin

Hitchin, Full-time hours per week

Location: On site / Hitchin, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Medical diagnostics
Annual Salary Range: from £ 23,980.00 to £ 25,500.00

Job Benefits:

  • Life Assurance
  • Discount platform (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel)
  • 25 days annual leave (28 days after 3 years of service)
  • Enhanced absences (sickness and parental)
  • Learning & Development opportunities
  • Dog friendly offices

Job Summary:

  • To actively participate in the day-to-day activities of the VPG laboratory operation ensuring all tests are carried out to the highest quality and within the agreed turnaround times.
  • Assist in delivering a market leading pathology service to all clients of the VPG.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Work safely in the laboratory – following all relevant SOP’s, health and safety, risk assessments and COSHH documentation.
  • Understand and follow all quality procedures to meet the required quality standards
  • Understand and comply with any internal or external regulations relevant to the workplace
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, including laboratory maintenance procedures, cleaning, and decontamination
  • Understand and perform management, control, and disposal of laboratory waste
  • Always understand and adhere to Good Laboratory Practices
  • Undertake any mandatory training as required by the business
  • Perform basic laboratory investigations and participate in daily scientific and technical activities of the laboratory section
  • Participate in the receipt, recording, storage, allocation, and disposal of specimens – also identifying and resolving issues effectively with the assistance of senior colleagues where appropriate
  • Participate in the input, retrieval, and analysis of data, seeking advice from a senior colleague where appropriate
  • Participate in the day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of equipment and working areas within the laboratory
  • Prepare reagents and other materials for routine laboratory use following appropriate SOP’s
  • Perform general laboratory duties as assigned by the lab manager – e.g., Temperature checks
  • To work in accordance with SOPs at all times
  • Utilise the laboratory LIMS and other application software to authorised protocols
  • To actively participate in ongoing training and further learning / CPD where appropriate
  • Plan and prioritise work allocations – responding to the needs of routine and urgent activities
  • To contribute to the internal and external QC/QA procedures and highlighting concerns to a senior colleague
  • Requesting and maintaining stock in an efficient way, ensuring correct supplies are always available
  • Ensuring results are reported within expected TAT’s
  • Ensure laboratory maintenance is being performed and any quality assurance procedures are followed
  • To undertake any other reasonable duty when requested to do so by an appropriate manager

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes & Experience:

Essential:

  • A minimum requirement of 3 GCSE’s to include English and Maths and at least one science subject.
  • Must be able to work unsupervised once training is complete.
  • High attention to detail required to work accurately within agreed timeframes.
  • Ability to communicate with a wide range of levels of staff within the laboratory.
  • Good developed interpersonal and team working abilities.
  • Ability to manage time to best advantage.
  • Ability to adapt efficiently to change.
  • Able to plan activities within area of work.
  • High degree of dexterity required.
  • Able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
  • A good working knowledge of principles underlying testing procedures.
  • An ability to work in a systematic manner. Be able to work independently to complete allotted tasks in a time-sensitive manner with a high attention to detail.
  • High degree of dexterity required and able to concentrate for extended periods of time.
  • Good knowledge of computer applications and LIMS including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to manage change and create a positive environment throughout the change process.
  • Takes responsibility for and contributes to own personal development.
  • Maintains required level of quality of their own work.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, courteously and with clarity at all times.

Desirable:

  • An interest in science and ambition to progress within the laboratory.

Working Hours:

This is a full time role, Monday to Friday with participation in the Saturday rota.

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Laboratory Assistant – Exeter

Exeter, 25 hours per week

Location: On site / Exeter, UK
job type: Permanent / Part-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Medical diagnostics
Annual Salary Range: from £ 14,988.00 to £ 15,938.00

Benefits:

  • Life Assurance
  • Discount platform (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel)
  • 25 days annual leave (28 days after 3 years of service)
  • Enhanced absences (sickness and parental)
  • Learning & Development opportunities
  • Dog friendly offices

Job Summary:

  • To actively participate in the day-to-day activities of the VPG laboratory operation ensuring all tests are carried out to the highest quality and within the agreed turnaround times.
  • Assist in delivering a market leading pathology service to all clients of the VPG.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Work safely in the laboratory – following all relevant SOP’s, health and safety, risk assessments and COSHH documentation.
  • Understand and follow all quality procedures to meet the required quality standards
  • Understand and comply with any internal or external regulations relevant to the workplace
  • Understand and perform management, control, and disposal of laboratory waste
  • Always understand and adhere to Good Laboratory Practices
  • Undertake any mandatory training as required by the business
  • Perform basic laboratory investigations and participate in daily scientific and technical activities of the laboratory section
  • Participate in the receipt, recording, storage, allocation, and disposal of specimens – also identifying and resolving issues effectively with the assistance of senior colleagues where appropriate
  • Participate in the input, retrieval, and analysis of data, seeking advice from a senior colleague where appropriate
  • Participate in the day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of equipment and working areas within the laboratory
  • Prepare reagents and other materials for routine laboratory use following appropriate SOP’s
  • Perform general laboratory duties as assigned by the lab manager – e.g., Temperature checks
  • To work in accordance with SOPs at all times
  • Utilise the laboratory LIMS and other application software to authorised protocols
  • To actively participate in ongoing training and further learning / CPD where appropriate
  • Plan and prioritise work allocations – responding to the needs of routine and urgent activities
  • To contribute to the internal and external QC/QA procedures and highlighting concerns to a senior colleague
  • Requesting and maintaining stock in an efficient way, ensuring correct supplies are always available
  • Ensuring results are reported within expected TAT’s
  • Ensure laboratory maintenance is being performed and any quality assurance procedures are followed
  • To undertake any other reasonable duty when requested to do so by an appropriate manager

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes & Experience:

Essential:

  • A good working knowledge of principles underlying testing procedures.
  • An ability to work in a systematic manner. Be able to work independently to complete allotted tasks in a time-sensitive manner with a high attention to detail.
  • High degree of dexterity required and able to concentrate for extended periods of time.
  • Good knowledge of computer applications and LIMS including Work, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to manage change and create a positive environment throughout the change process
  • Takes responsibility for and contributes to own personal development
  • Maintains required level of quality of their own work
  • Ability to communicate effectively, courteously and with clarity at all times

Desirable:

  • An interest in science and ambition to progress within the laboratory.

Hours of Work:

  • This is a part time role working 25 hours per week, Tuesday to Saturday (7.30am to 12.30pm)
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Courier Driver (Relief)

Remote/Hybrid

Job Summary

At VPG, we operate a number of courier routes to service our clients. Some routes work directly to and from one of our laboratories and others work remote, with designated points for sample transfer to other drivers.

 

Our driving routes are in:

Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset – operating to and from the Exeter Lab

Bristol, South Wales, Somerset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire – operating to and from our Bristol Lab

London, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, East Midlands – operating to and from the Hitchin Lab.

Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Durham and NE Midlands – operating to and from our Leeds Lab.

 

Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, Wiltshire, West Midlands, Edinburgh – Glasgow – operating remote from lab

Shift Patterns and Salary

  • £11.52 per hour.
  • Zero-hour contract.
  • As and when required.
  • Most of the routes run from evening into night.

Benefits

  • Life Assurance.
  • Discount platform (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel).
  • Learning & Development opportunities.

Duties/Responsibilities

  • To drive in a safe manner that maintains the reputability of the VPG.
  • Keep to collection times agreed between the clients and the laboratory.
  • Ensure all bags are sealed.
  • Count and sort deliveries, accurately completing log sheets where required.
  • Responsible for maintaining samples at the appropriate temperature during transit and when returned to the laboratory.
  • To undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate manager.
  • Inspect vehicle daily and report any defects on the log sheet.
  • Keep vehicle clean and tidy and report any defects to the Courier Manager.

Safety

  • You must be willing to comply with all VPG policies and complete annual mandatory training; observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling and other courses as required. This also includes updates and have knowledge of COSHH and Lifting and Handling Policies.
  • We want our working environment to be safe for all; it is every VPG employees duty to report all incidents and adverse events to managers and assist in the investigations of any incidents.
  • Ensure that the equipment within area of work is maintained and operated as per SOP’s, you must also comply with SOPs at all times. Inform your manager and quality department immediately should there be an error in an SOP or if it needs updating.

Key Performance Indicator’s (KPIs)

  • Samples are transported in the agreed turnaround times.
  • Vehicles are maintained to the highest standard.

Knowledge, skills, attributes and experience

  • Valid UK Driving License.
  • Previous experience of commercial driving.
  • Ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner at all times.
  • Ability to share and exchange information with others.
  • Ability to show initiative, and to work independently without supervision.
  • UK Right to Work.
Apply Now

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