Up to 80 staff are being recruited for Paragon Veterinary Referrals, a new £5 million referral centre in Wakefield, Yorkshire.Up to 80 staff are being recruited for Paragon Veterinary Referrals, a new £5 million referral centre in Wakefield, Yorkshire.

Paragon is being built by the Linnaeus Group, which says the new centre will be one of the largest and best-equipped in the UK when it opens its doors early in the New Year. 

The new centre follows the Linnaeus Group's acquisition of Dewsbury-based Calder Vets last year.

Calder Vets' existing referral teams, together with two ophthalmologists from its Mirfield branch, will be transferring to Paragon. Meanwhile, Calder Vets will move to solely first-opinion work. 

Currently nearing the end of construction, the centre will have eight consulting rooms, five operating theatres, MRI and CT scanners, intensive care facilities along with an all-digital imaging department. 

A total of up to 80 staff will be employed at Paragon, including up to 18 referral vets and 32 veterinary nurses.

Specialist services will include cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology and orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. 

Positions currently available include a diagnostic imager, internal medicine specialist, neurology specialist, oncology specialist and an ophthalmologist, as well as various nursing posts

Ian Monteith, managing director of Paragon, said: "We are looking for the best possible people who not only have the right skills and experience, but who will also fit into the ethos we want to create at Paragon. 

"It is a significant and exciting opportunity for motivated, high calibre people to help shape something that has a very bright future for both the industry and for their own careers. 

"Our philosophy is very much one of friendly cooperation between all members of staff, creating a pleasant, supportive and good-humoured atmosphere."

For details of the vacancies currently on offer at Paragon, visit www.paragonreferrals.co.uk/en-GB/careers

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.