Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You’ll be joining a nine-vet team at Friars Moor Vets, a well-established independent practice spanning three branches across the Blackmore Vale (Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, and Blandford). This is a full-time, four-day-week role with a guaranteed set day off that actually stays yours. The practice holds its own manageable out-of-hours rota shared with a neighbouring practice—roughly one weeknight every fortnight and one full weekend in ten, with Saturday shifts at just 1 in 12 (Friday night on-call plus Saturday morning 8:30am–1:00pm).

You’ll work across two of the three branches, mixing consulting and operating shifts to keep every day varied and interesting. Flexibility is genuinely welcomed here, whether that means adjusting your schedule for family or choosing the branch that suits your commute best. Set in one of England’s most beautiful countryside regions, you’re just an hour from the coast and surrounded by rolling hills, woodland, and charming market towns.

This is a role where you can develop your clinical interests—whether that’s medicine, surgery, or another specialism—with the full support of a collaborative team that actually enjoys what they do.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide first-opinion consultations and routine surgery across small animal cases
• Contribute to the varied caseload within a supportive general practice environment
• Participate in weekly clinical meetings for case discussions and peer learning
• Collaborate with experienced RVNs and support staff across all three branches
• Share out-of-hours duties on a fair, manageable rota with dedicated OOH nursing support
• Develop your clinical interests and pursue certificates or specialist areas with practice backing
• Build lasting relationships with clients and their pets while maintaining professional standards

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with experience in small animal general practice
• Confident in first-opinion consultations and routine surgical procedures
• Commitment to high clinical standards and genuine patient care
• Team player who values collaboration and is willing to share knowledge
• Genuine interest in continued professional development and learning
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple branches

Benefits

• Salary: £55,000–£75,000 depending on experience
• Hours: Four-day week (8:30am–6:30pm) with a guaranteed set day off
• Holiday: 6.6 weeks’ annual leave including bank holidays
• Professional fees: RCVS, BSAVA, and VDS fees paid
• Continuing Professional Development: Generously funded CPD with support for certificates and career development
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance (Vitality) and Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension: Comprehensive pension scheme
• Additional perks: Cycle-to-work scheme, visa sponsorship available, relocation assistance considered for the right candidate

About the Practice

Friars Moor Vets was established in 1957 and operates as a proudly independent practice across three branches in the Blackmore Vale, North Dorset, serving clients throughout Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset. The practice combines exceptional patient care with genuine community values, building lasting relationships with clients and their pets. All three branches are modern and well-equipped with digital X-ray, ultrasound, K-laser, and in-house laboratory facilities, with overnight hospitalisation at the Sturminster Newton branch.

The practice is an active member of XLVets and holds RCVS Practice Standards Scheme approval, ensuring clinical excellence alongside independent values. The nine-vet team brings diverse experience and interests—from general medicine and surgery to ophthalmology—and works collaboratively through weekly clinical meetings and daily WhatsApp discussions. You’ll be supported by experienced RVNs and support staff who rotate across branches to maintain team cohesion. The practice also maintains excellent relationships with visiting orthopaedic surgeons from Rata and local referral specialists including Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists.