Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal
PDSA | Thamesmead
For over 100 years, PDSA has been providing essential veterinary care to pets whose owners are facing financial hardship. By joining the team, you'll play an important role in helping pets receive the care they need, while supporting the people who love them.
This is an opportunity to develop your clinical career within a charity that makes a genuine difference to communities across the UK.
Develop your surgical skills and clinical experience
Are you a Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys a varied caseload, with a strong interest in surgery? At PDSA, you'll benefit from plenty of hands-on surgical experience, exposure to a wide range of routine and complex procedures, and a structured development pathway designed to help you progress.
You'll gain experience across a broad range of surgical disciplines, including:
Soft tissue surgery: Pyometras, cystotomies, enterotomies, enucleations and caesarean sections.
Orthopaedics: Cruciate repairs, femoral head and neck excisions (FHNE), hip reductions and fracture management.
Dentistry: From routine extractions through to more complex surgical extractions.
Emergency and complex surgery: With opportunities to develop advanced skills in soft tissue surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmic surgery and complex reconstructive procedures.
You'll be supported through the Veterinary Surgeon Skills Development Framework, with annual formal reviews providing a clear pathway for clinical progression and salary development as your skills and experience grow.
About You
We're looking for a Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys the variety of general practice, combining consultations and surgery while managing a diverse caseload.
You'll be passionate about delivering excellent patient and client care, with a pragmatic, welfare-focused approach to clinical decision-making.
To be successful, you'll need:
MRCVS registration.
Experience delivering high-quality patient and client care.
A confident and adaptable approach to working in a busy, fast-paced environment.
Good computer literacy and familiarity with clinical systems.
Ideally, at least 12 months' UK small animal practice experience.
Working Pattern
The role offers a mixture of shifts, with working hours on a rotating basis:
8:00am – 4:30pm
9:00am – 5:30pm
9:30am – 6:00pm
About the Hospital
Thamesmead is a collaborative and supportive hospital where teamwork, clinical discussion and shared learning are at the heart of the working environment.
With a team boasting a variety of clinical interests and experience, you'll have access to a wealth of knowledge and support when discussing cases and treatment plans.
The modern, well-equipped hospital includes:
Separate dog and cat kennelling facilities.
In-house radiography and ultrasound.
Endoscopy.
Piped gases.
Extensive orthopaedic equipment.
Rewards, Support & Benefits
PDSA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional development, wellbeing and work-life balance.
Flexible working options.
£1,000 annual CPD allowance and five days for professional development.
Full RCVS membership fees paid, where applicable.
Extensive internal CPD programmes, plus discounts for BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show.
25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to five additional days.
Three additional paid days off each year: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day.
Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
Life assurance providing four times your annual salary.
AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 wellbeing support, with private medical cover included.
Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts through the Fetch benefits platform.
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance.
Access to staff veterinary services.
Make a Difference with PDSA
If you're looking to develop your surgical skills, broaden your clinical experience and be part of a supportive team doing genuinely rewarding work, we'd love to hear from you.
Join PDSA and make a difference every day to pets and the people who depend on them.
Apply now to take the next step in your veterinary career.
PDSA is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds, with reasonable adjustments available throughout the recruitment process.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate pre-employment checks.
Interested in this role? Apply now and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.