Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You’ll be joining Acorn House, a thriving 12-vet RCVS-accredited small animal hospital in the picturesque county town of Bedford, surrounded by beautiful countryside including the Marston Vales and Chiltern Hills. This is a role tailored for someone with a strong surgical bias and genuine passion for the operating theatre. You’ll manage a varied and busy first-opinion surgical caseload, from routine procedures to emergency work like GDV management, with particular scope for advanced soft-tissue work including BOAS cases. The team will support you to develop specialist interests and progress towards certificate or Advanced Practitioner status if that’s your goal.

The practice runs a carefully structured rota designed around genuine work-life balance: you’ll work a 4-day week with a fixed day off, include just one Saturday shift (8–4:30) per month, and manage minimal on-call duties—just one weeknight every two weeks and one weekend on-call every two months. A dedicated ECC RVN provides 24-hour inpatient care, and the RVC handles calls from 11 p.m. onwards, so your on-call shifts are inpatient-only, meaning you’ll actually sleep. A buddy system lets you pair with another vet on weeknight shifts, making swaps straightforward.

You’ll work alongside experienced clinicians including Advanced Practitioners in Dentistry and Zoological Medicine, a fantastic nursing team led by a Head Nurse with an RCVS diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (surgical), and a supportive Client Care team. The practice recently completed a major extension with three theatres, two dental suites, a new dog ward, and excellent diagnostic equipment including laparoscopic and orthopaedic kits, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, and ultrasound.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality surgical care across the full range of first-opinion procedures, with confidence managing emergency surgeries
• Develop and deliver advanced soft-tissue surgical work, particularly BOAS cases, as part of the team’s caseload
• Contribute to consulting, operating, late shifts, and support shifts (which run 8:30–7 with no scheduled appointments, freeing you to manage emergencies and support colleagues)
• Participate in the practice’s teaching mission, supporting RVC veterinary students on placement and contributing to their structured clinical experience
• Engage in ongoing professional development and mentor junior staff as appropriate
• Support the on-call rota on a shared basis with the wider team

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with demonstrated experience and confidence in small animal surgery
• Strong surgical bias with the ability to manage a varied first-opinion caseload independently
• Proven capability in emergency surgical management (e.g., GDV)
• Interest in advancing soft-tissue surgical skills, including BOAS work
• Collaborative approach and genuine enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and learning

Benefits

• Salary: £46,000–£68,000 based on experience, plus out-of-hours bonus scheme and additional supplements for Certificate holders and Advanced Practitioners
• Holiday: Five weeks’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with increases for length of service; two additional paid personal days (carried over if unused)
• Professional development: Certificates and Advanced Practitioner status actively supported and funded; unlimited online CPD through the Royal Veterinary College; support for PGCert in Veterinary Education if interested
• Professional fees: RCVS, VDS, and BSAVA fees paid
• Wellbeing: Weekly yoga classes; Employee Assistance Program through BUPA; enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay
• Other perks: Cycle to work scheme; visa sponsorship available
• Rota: 4-day week with fixed day off, one Saturday shift per month, minimal on-call (1:2 weeknights, 1:2 months weekends), buddy system for weeknight shifts

About the Practice

Acorn House is a 12-vet RCVS-accredited small animal hospital operating as an independent practice, owned by the Royal Veterinary College since 2018 and modelling high-quality first-opinion care to their veterinary students. The team includes experienced clinicians with specialist interests and qualifications: Advanced Practitioners in Dentistry, Zoological Medicine, Small Animal Surgery, Small Animal Medicine, and Diagnostic Imaging. The practice holds ISFM Gold Standard Cat-Friendly Clinic status, is a Dogs Trust Dog-Friendly Clinic, and is currently undergoing reaccreditation to maintain its RWAF Gold Rabbit Friendly Practice status. Acorn House is an RCVS-approved Graduate Development and Veterinary Nurse Training Practice with Bronze Investors in the Environment accreditation. The recently completed extension provides three operating theatres, two dental suites with digital radiography, a dedicated new dog ward, surgical supplies room, and dedicated dog, cat, and exotic wards. The practice provides its own 24-hour out-of-hours service with dedicated ECC nursing care and access to RVC specialist support and the Queen Mother Hospital for advanced cases.