Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Independent Small Animal Hospital | £60,000 - £75,000
Looking for a senior veterinary role where you can enjoy clinical freedom, make a genuine difference and help develop the next generation of vets?
Join an independent, vet-owned and RCVS-accredited small animal hospital offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join a friendly, supportive team in a senior position combining varied first-opinion practice, clinical leadership and out-of-hours back-up.
This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a rewarding clinical role without corporate targets, with the freedom to practise high-quality medicine, support colleagues and develop the position around your own clinical interests.
About the practice
We are an independent, vet-owned small animal practice with multiple branches. The practice is led by an experienced clinical leadership team, including Advanced Practitioners in Small Animal Surgery and Feline Medicine.
As an independent practice, we combine the facilities and clinical opportunities of a busy hospital with the close-knit culture, approachable leadership and clinical freedom that come from being vet-owned.
Our purpose-built hospital is exceptionally well equipped, with:
Separate cat, dog and exotic wards.
Digital radiography and Doppler ultrasound.
Dental radiography.
Comprehensive in-house laboratory, including SediVue.
Endoscopy equipment.
Our own dedicated out-of-hours service, providing continuity of care for hospitalised patients and emergency cases.
We are also an approved training practice for EMS, VetGDP and veterinary nursing students, with a strong commitment to mentorship, shared learning and supporting postgraduate development.
The role
This is a permanent four-day-week position, offering an interesting mix of clinical work and senior responsibilities.
You'll enjoy a varied first-opinion caseload, including consulting, inpatient care, operating and charity work. Alongside your clinical duties, you'll play an important role in supporting and mentoring developing vets through practical guidance, case discussions and shared learning.
There is plenty of scope to shape the position around your clinical interests while helping maintain high clinical standards across the wider team.
Your working pattern and responsibilities will include:
Four eight-hour shifts per week.
A varied mix of consulting, surgery and inpatient care.
One-hour lunch breaks and protected breaks.
Scheduled telephone and administration time on consulting days.
Mentoring and supporting less experienced veterinary colleagues.
Second on-call responsibility one week in four, usually providing telephone support from home.
One in four weekend mornings caring for hospital inpatients.
Out-of-hours back-up
The practice provides its own out-of-hours service, allowing continuity of care for patients.
As second on call, one week in four, you'll usually support the first on-call vet by telephone from home, attending the hospital when required for more complex cases.
An RVN and SVN are on site 24/7 to support emergency cases and inpatient care.
You'll need to live within 30 minutes' travelling time of the hospital.
Who we're looking for
We're keen to hear from an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys the clinical variety of first-opinion practice and is ready to take on a supportive senior role.
You'll be confident in emergency medicine and surgery, communicate effectively and remain calm under pressure. Just as importantly, you'll enjoy working collaboratively, sharing your knowledge and helping colleagues develop their clinical confidence.
We're looking for someone who takes pride in delivering excellent patient care and values the opportunity to work in an independent practice where clinical decisions are driven by what's best for patients.
Salary and benefits
Salary: £60,000–£75,000, depending on experience and clinical confidence.
Permanent four-day working week.
38 days' annual leave, including six weeks plus Bank Holidays.
Five CPD days and £1,500 annual CPD allowance.
Enhanced CPD support for Advanced Practitioners.
RCVS and VDS fees paid.
One additional professional membership paid.
Protected breaks and scheduled administration time.
Supportive senior leadership and opportunities to develop your clinical interests.
If you're an experienced vet looking for a senior position with genuine clinical freedom, a supportive team and a great work–life balance, we'd love to hear from you.
Interested in this role? Apply now and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.