Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This is a varied first-opinion position offering an excellent balance of consultations and surgical work. You'll manage cases from initial presentation through to diagnosis and treatment, handling routine appointments, surgery, and emergency cases within the practice. There's no out-of-hours or on-call commitment, allowing you to maintain a healthy work-life balance. When specialist input is needed, you'll have access to strong referral pathways and support from your clinical team.

As part of an exciting merger between St Mary's and Aniwell Vets, you'll work across both sites, accessing a wider clinical team and more diverse caseload. You'll be surrounded by colleagues who actively encourage clinical discussion, knowledge-sharing and collaboration. While solo practice confidence is welcome, this is very much a team-focused environment where support is always available.

The practice is undergoing full refurbishment, creating an even better working environment. You'll work full-time over 4 or 5 days per week with just one Saturday morning per month (8:30am-12:30pm), or you can discuss part-time arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-standard patient and client care across a varied first-opinion caseload
• Manage routine medical and surgical cases, developing confidence and skills in both areas
• Work cases from presentation through treatment, including emergency and critical care within the practice remit
• Build lasting client relationships and maintain continuity of care
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues, contributing to the clinical culture and supporting team development
• Collaborate with the wider practice team across both St Mary's and Aniwell sites
• Utilise referral pathways appropriately and seek support when additional expertise is needed

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and 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 professional development
• Professionalism, reliability and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Not suitable for new graduates or vets requiring structured graduate development programmes

Benefits

• Salary up to £70,000 depending on experience, plus welcome bonus up to £5,000 and relocation allowance up to £5,000
• 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development and wellbeing
• £1,250 annual CPD allowance with access to IVC Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees covered
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership and specialist roles

About the Practice

St Mary's Veterinary Clinic is a long-established practice with a loyal client base and excellent local reputation in Ferndown, Dorset. As part of inspiring vet care (IVC Evidensia), the UK's number one vet care provider, the practice benefits from being part of a network trusted with the care of over 2 million animals.

The practice is well-equipped with digital and dental radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy and in-house laboratory facilities. The caseload includes dogs, cats, rabbits and occasional exotics. The team is undergoing an exciting merger with sister practice Aniwell Vets, which will expand clinical capacity and create opportunities for collaboration across two sites.