Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You’ll be joining Coastal Vets, a progressive 7.5-vet independent practice recently named Practice of the Year at the Petplan Veterinary Awards 2025. Based in the charming village of Snettisham on the Norfolk coast, this role offers you a genuine four-day working week with no out-of-hours or on-call commitments—the practice has outsourced all OOH cover so you can truly switch off.

The caseload here supports a surgical bias, so whether you already hold a surgical certificate or want to pursue one, the team will fund and support your development. One standout feature is the practice’s involvement with Hunstanton Sealife Centre and Norfolk’s Seal Rescue, bringing fascinating cases like seal operations, penguin x-rays, and even exotic species (catfish, rays, sharks) into your working life. Your shifts will rotate between operating, consult-only, and mixed sessions, giving you variety and plenty of opportunity to consolidate existing skills while building new ones alongside an experienced, collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct routine small animal consultations with 15-minute appointment slots backed by full surgical and diagnostic facilities
• Perform small animal and exotic surgical procedures, with opportunity to develop or expand surgical expertise
• Participate in rotating shift pattern: operating sessions, consult-only clinics, and mixed consult/operating shifts
• Contribute to wildlife rehabilitation work with Hunstanton Sealife Centre and Norfolk’s Seal Rescue (seals, and occasional exotic species)
• Optional involvement in home visits for long-standing clients (three afternoons per week, covered voluntarily)
• Work within a supportive team of 7.5 vets, 9 RVNs, 1 VCA entering nurse training, and 5 experienced receptionists

Requirements

• MRCVS registration (or equivalent)
• Confident with routine consultations and small animal surgery
• Experienced veterinary surgeon (recent graduates may be considered with appropriate mentorship structure)
• Professional approach to patient care and client communication

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000–£60,000 depending on experience
• Welcome bonus: £2,000 in addition to first month’s salary to support relocation
• Accommodation: Available during relocation period
• Time off: 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
• Work schedule: 4-day week (Monday–Thursday, 8.30 am–6.30 pm), plus 3 in 14 Saturday mornings (9 am–12 pm); no out-of-hours or on-call
• CPD & professional development: Generous CPD budget; certificates (e.g., surgical, cardiology, imaging) fully supported and funded
• Professional fees: RCVS, VDS, and BVA fees paid by the practice
• Health & wellbeing: Private health insurance, Employee Assistance Programme, pension scheme
• Additional perks: Employee discount scheme, visa sponsorship available
• Mentorship: Access to experienced vets with specialist interests (imaging certificates, cardiology) who are keen to share knowledge

About the Practice

Coastal Vets is an independent small animal practice established in Snettisham, West Norfolk, with a second branch in Burnham Market. Originally founded as an ambulatory service, the practice expanded to a permanent base and underwent a full rebuild of its main premises in 2017. The team is led by Chris, who prioritises investing in modern equipment and creating a supportive, compassionate workplace culture.

The practice is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including DR digital and dental x-ray, ultrasound with colour flow Doppler, Tono-Pen, full Idexx in-house lab equipment (including urinalysis), air-powered dental equipment with ultrasonic scaling, and computerised clinical records. The team includes 7.5 vets with diverse interests and experience levels (from recent graduates to colleagues with nearly two decades of experience), 9 RVNs, 1 VCA beginning nurse training, and 5 receptionists. The practice has built a reputation for excellence and was recently recognised as Practice of the Year at the Petplan Veterinary Awards 2025.

About Snettisham & Norfolk

Snettisham has been voted Norfolk’s friendliest village and offers a perfect blend of coastal charm, country living, and vibrant community. The village features boutique shops, cosy pubs, and excellent dining—including the award-winning 14th-century Rose & Crown Inn and the Michelin-featured Old Bank restaurant. The practice sits next to Wild Ken Hill, a pioneering rewilding project where BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch are filmed, and the nearby RSPB reserve offers spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities (including huge winter flocks of pink-footed geese). For outdoor enthusiasts, Norfolk offers the stunning coastline, peaceful Norfolk Broads, and endless opportunities for walking, cycling, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and sailing.