Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This full-time position at Seadown offers a rare combination: a busy first-opinion small animal hospital with referral capabilities and genuinely light on-call duties. With just 1-2 nights per month contributed to the practice's own OOH service (thanks to their dedicated hybrid night team), you'll have real work-life balance alongside a diverse, engaging caseload.

You'll work within a collaborative culture where clinicians are empowered to make clinical decisions, improvement is encouraged, and best practice is shared. The practice serves Southampton and the wider South of England, with an established team of vets, nurses, PCAs, and receptionists who pride themselves on friendly, supportive working relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage surgical and medical cases with clinical confidence, from routine to advanced procedures
• Carry out diagnostic investigations including ultrasound, radiography, and endoscopy with precision
• Provide first-opinion care across general small animal medicine and surgery, supported by in-house laboratory facilities
• Contribute to the weekly ophthalmology referral service (covering practices across the South of England) and advanced orthopaedic clinics with the visiting Cert AVP
• Participate in case discussions and clinical meetings, bringing new ideas and contributing to progressive service development
• Support and mentor colleagues, helping the team develop their clinical skills and confidence
• Deliver excellent client care that builds trust and long-lasting relationships

Requirements

• RCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon with strong clinical autonomy and varied experience
• Confident handling of surgical and medical cases independently
• Strong diagnostic skills and comfortable with modern imaging and laboratory equipment
• Committed to ongoing professional development and gaining further clinical expertise
• Natural mentor and team player who enjoys supporting colleagues
• Excellent client care skills and ability to build positive, reassuring relationships
• Driven by passion for delivering the best possible animal care

Benefits

• RCVS and VDS fees paid in full
• Generous CPD allowance plus full BSAVA library access (450+ courses)
• Fully funded postgraduate qualifications (CertAVP, PgCert) with tuition, exams, and study leave covered
• Up to 33 days holiday annually with option to buy or sell additional days
• CVS Pension Scheme
• Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, Advanced Clinical Services Network, and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoring
• Health cash plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing Champions network and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff pet care discounts: 50% off services, MiPet food and medications

About the Practice

Seadown is a small animal first-opinion practice with referral specialisms, located in Southampton. The practice operates with a passionate, collaborative team and facilities reflecting a top-tier first-opinion hospital, including ultrasound, radiography, dentistry, endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, and dedicated ICU equipment. An in-house laboratory with dedicated technicians supports rapid diagnostics. The practice also provides an ophthalmology referral service to practices across the South of England and hosts a weekly advanced orthopaedics clinic with a visiting Cert AVP specialist.

As part of CVS Veterinary Group, Seadown benefits from market-leading learning and development, central HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, and procurement support, plus investment in facilities through a dedicated multi-million-pound improvement fund. The practice is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to do their best work, with comprehensive wellbeing support including monthly line-manager check-ins, a network of 400 Wellbeing Champions, pastoral support vets, and personal mentors.