Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll join Dorset Coast Vets’ friendly and growing Dorchester branch as a Veterinary Surgeon, working two nine-hour days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) with absolutely no weekend or on-call commitments. This is a genuine part-time opportunity that respects your work-life balance whilst offering you the clinical depth many vets crave.

The Dorchester practice sits just a few miles from the group’s main Weymouth site, giving you access to a comprehensive multi-site team and impressive shared resources. You’ll work sole charge on your scheduled days, delivering high-standard patient and client care across a varied caseload to an established client base. The practice encourages you to develop cases thoroughly, giving you the clinical freedom and autonomy to practice as you see fit—not a box-ticking environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-standard primary care across routine medical and surgical cases
• Work collaboratively with the wider practice team whilst delivering excellent patient outcomes
• Develop and expand your clinical skills and professional interests
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues, contributing positively to the clinical culture
• Support the ongoing professional development of nursing and support staff
• Manage sole charge duties on scheduled days with confidence and professionalism

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and current RCVS registration (or eligibility to register)
• Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• Proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and development
• Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Confidence and motivation in delivering quality patient care

Facilities & Equipment

You’ll have access to state-of-the-art surgical facilities including separate cat and dog operating theatres, separate sterile and non-sterile procedure rooms, and dedicated waiting and consultation areas. Diagnostic equipment available includes endoscopy, laparoscopy, digital radiography, two dental digital X-ray suites, ultrasound, and in-house laboratory support.

Benefits

• Time Off: 6.8 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Professional Support: Funded learning and development, CPD allowance, access to IVC Evidensia Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Clinical Development: Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks; support to develop clinical interests and specialist capabilities
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees all covered
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• Care Fund: £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• Additional Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies), retail discounts and cashback offers, reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Relocation: Up to £5,000 relocation allowance available
• Career Pathways: Clear progression routes across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles within IVC Evidensia’s network

About the Practice

Dorset Coast Vets is a friendly, growing practice with branches in Dorchester and Weymouth, part of IVC Evidensia—the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. The practice is committed to providing excellent client and patient care, with a culture that encourages clinical autonomy and thorough case development.

IVC Evidensia supports careers without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage. The group is a committed Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging employer and a Disability Confident Employer.