Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a part-time opportunity perfect for an experienced small animal surgeon who still loves hands-on first-opinion practice. You’ll work three mornings per week (9am–2pm) plus one Saturday morning per month (9am–12pm only)—no out-of-hours cover, no Sundays, no bank holidays. The practice’s emergency work is covered by RVC, so your weekends and evenings are genuinely yours.

Based in Harpenden, a prosperous Hertfordshire market town with a loyal client base and village feel, you’ll be part of a family-run independent practice that’s been built on word-of-mouth reputation and honest, transparent care for over 30 years. The team genuinely describes themselves as family, and they mean it—relaxed, collaborative, and supportive.

You’ll work alongside two extremely experienced surgeons, Gillian and Liz, who between them bring decades of hands-on GP and surgical experience. There’s always someone to bounce ideas off, discuss tricky cases with, or scrub in if you want a second pair of hands. You’ll be backed by a qualified RVN team who know the workflow, know the clients, and keep things running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver confident, clinically sound first-opinion care across routine and advanced soft tissue surgeries
• Manage sole charge work with competence and calm in consults
• Work up cases thoroughly and build long-term client relationships through continuity of care
• Collaborate with the surgical team and RVNs as clinical partners on case planning and decision-making
• Contribute to the practice’s culture of transparent, honest advice and informed client choice

Requirements

• Experienced small animal veterinary surgeon (evidence of clinical capability in routine and soft tissue surgery)
• Comfortable with sole charge responsibilities
• Confident in theatre and calm in consults
• UK veterinary registration (RCVS) and professional indemnity insurance

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Genuine part-time rota (3 mornings + 1 Saturday morning per month; no out-of-hours, no Sundays, no bank holidays)
• Support from a stable, experienced veterinary and RVN team
• Full input into case management and clinical decision-making
• Access to well-equipped practice facilities including in-house lab and full surgical equipment
• Loyal, respectful client base who trust clinical judgement

About the Practice

Alistair Poole Veterinary Surgery is a proud independent, family-owned practice established over 30 years ago by Sue and her late husband Alistair. Built entirely by word of mouth, it’s known across Harpenden and beyond for straightforward, compassionate, clinically dependable care. The practice is small enough to ensure continuity—clients know who they’ll see—but experienced enough to discuss cases internally and make informed specialist referrals when needed.

The team treats RVNs as full clinical colleagues. The practice is well-equipped with diagnostics and surgical facilities, and the approach throughout is sensible, transparent veterinary medicine with genuine informed choice for clients. Located centrally in Harpenden with on-site parking, the practice enjoys a loyal client base and sits in a green, well-connected Hertfordshire town with strong community feel.