Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

At Summerwood Vets, you will be joining a friendly, close-knit small animal team in Blackwood. The practice places real emphasis on supporting vets well, with clinical freedom, flexibility that works in practice, and space to keep developing your interests.

The role includes a varied and rewarding caseload, and the practice is set up to support that with a modern, spacious layout, four consult rooms, separate cat and dog areas, a new cattery, theatre, and advanced equipment including laparoscopy, ultrasound, digital and dental x-ray, and an in-house lab. Working patterns are flexible, with full-time hours typically 8:30am to 6:30pm over four days, though five shorter days can be discussed. Part-time options cover one to three days a week, with fixed days or a rota arranged around your requirements. There are no weekends or out-of-hours shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a high standard of patient and client care across a varied small animal caseload.
• Work collaboratively with the wider practice team in day-to-day clinical work.
• Continue developing your own clinical skills and interests.
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues to support the practice’s clinical culture.
• Contribute positively to a team environment focused on care, community and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• A veterinary degree and RCVS registration, or eligibility to register.
• Experience in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and development.
• Professionalism, reliability, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to excellent patient and client care.

Benefits

• Salary up to £75,000 FTE DOE.
• Flexible full-time or part-time hours.
• No weekends or out-of-hours shifts.
• Four-day full-time working week, typically 8:30am to 6:30pm, with five shorter days also discussed.
• Part-time options covering one to three days a week.
• Fixed days or a rota that can be arranged around your requirements.
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership and specialist roles.
• Funded learning and development, including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres and role-relevant courses.
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet.
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks.
• Support to develop clinical interests and expand capabilities.
• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays.
• Private medical insurance.
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy.
• BEVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees.
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes, subject to eligibility.
• Retail discounts and cashback offers.
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets.

About the Practice

The role is with Summerwood Vets, part of inspiring vet care, which describes itself as the UK’s number one vet care provider and says it supports the care of over 2 million animals.

The team is friendly and close-knit, with many colleagues working toward or holding certificates in feline medicine, anaesthesia, dentistry and ECC. The practice also offers a modern clinical environment with separate cat and dog areas, a new cattery, theatre and advanced diagnostic equipment.