Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a full-time position based on a 4-day week with a set day off, offering an excellent work-life balance in the heart of Suffolk countryside. You’ll enjoy a balanced mix of consulting and surgery, with at least one dedicated operating day most weeks. The role includes a shared 1:6 weekend rota and weeknight on-call commitment of 4 nights in every 6 weeks, supported by an experienced clinical and nursing team.

What makes this opportunity special is the chance to work in a purpose-built facility offering both first-opinion and referral services under one roof. You’ll collaborate daily with a highly skilled team of five vets, multiple Advanced Practitioners, and specialist referral services in ophthalmology, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, dermatology, advanced imaging, and radioactive iodine treatment. This is clinical development in action.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide first-opinion small animal veterinary care alongside specialist referral work
• Conduct routine and advanced surgical procedures, with at least one dedicated operating day most weeks
• Participate in fortnightly clinical governance meetings, case reviews, and weekly practice meetings
• Collaborate with the five-vet team and referral specialists to deliver complex cases and develop your own expertise
• Support out-of-hours care on a 1:6 weekend rota and 4 nights in every 6 weeks (supported by experienced nursing team)
• Engage with in-house learning opportunities and contribute to the practice’s culture of continuous development

Requirements

• Completed VetGDP
• Comfortable working in general practice with a desire to continue developing clinically
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a supportive team structure

Benefits

• Salary: £38,000–£75,000 DOE
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• CPD actively encouraged, with certificates supported and funded
• Company pension
• Visa sponsorship available
• Potential short-term accommodation available if relocating
• Access to advanced facilities: CT, endoscopy, laparoscopy, and well-equipped in-house laboratory
• Support from a large, highly skilled nursing team with Senior RVNs leading anaesthesia, imaging, wards, pharmacy, and surgical services
• Strong social team culture with informal get-togethers, practice events, and seasonal challenges

About the Practice

Debenham Veterinary Practice is an independent, privately-owned practice set in the Suffolk countryside. Purpose-built with both people and patients in mind, it’s a place where clinical excellence meets genuine team culture. The practice offers on-site emergency and critical care alongside specialist referral services, creating a unique environment where vets can work with advanced expertise daily.

The team is led by Heather Collinson, a highly experienced clinician with a certificate in small animal medicine. The first-opinion service includes five vets with additional qualifications in imaging, emergency care, feline medicine, neurology, and cardiology. The referral team includes multiple Advanced Practitioners in ophthalmology, established soft tissue and orthopaedic surgical services, dedicated dermatology, advanced imaging support, and radioactive iodine referral treatment. The nursing team is large and highly skilled, with multiple Senior RVNs holding additional qualifications in emergency and critical care, feline nursing, behaviour, anaesthesia, and imaging. The practice runs in-house learning events and maintains a culture of open, supportive collaboration with fortnightly clinical governance and case reviews.