Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a four-day week position with full clinical independence and no out-of-hours commitments. You’ll enjoy genuine work-life balance with just one Saturday morning in three (with Friday afternoon off to compensate), and zero bank holiday work. The practice is looking for a confident, experienced vet who thrives on building client relationships and delivering high-quality first opinion care in a calm, well-run environment.

Based in Southsea—just fifteen minutes from the seafront and Gunwharf Quays—this is an established independent practice that’s been thriving for over 17 years. It’s vet-led, family-run, and proudly resists corporate pressures. The team has remarkable longevity; staff who’ve worked together for years genuinely enjoy coming to work. You’ll find a collaborative, respectful atmosphere where your clinical judgment is trusted and valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality first opinion small animal care with full clinical autonomy
• Work confidently in sole charge situations when required
• Build strong client relationships and manage a diverse caseload
• Utilise the practice’s well-equipped facilities (ultrasound, digital radiography, in-house Idexx laboratory) to properly work up cases
• Contribute to the collaborative team culture in this long-standing, stable practice

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Surgeon
• Experienced in small animal first opinion practice
• Confident in sole charge work and clinical decision-making
• Client-focused approach with genuine communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a calm, well-organised environment

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000–£65,000 depending on experience
• Four-day working week
• No out-of-hours or emergency work
• No bank holiday duties
• Just one Saturday morning in three (with Friday afternoon compensation)
• Full clinical autonomy and trust
• All continuing professional development supported and funded
• Professional membership fees paid
• Long-standing, supportive team with exceptional staff retention
• Well-equipped facilities including ultrasound, digital radiography, and in-house laboratory

About the Practice

This independent, family-run small animal practice has been established in Southsea for over 17 years. Proudly vet-led and fiercely independent, it’s resisted corporate ownership and built a reputation for stable, high-quality care. The practice is well-equipped with modern diagnostic facilities including ultrasound, digital radiography, and in-house Idexx laboratory machines, alongside air-conditioned treatment areas.

What truly distinguishes this practice is its team culture. Staff retention is exceptionally strong—colleagues have worked together for years in a genuinely collaborative, respectful environment. This is not a high-pressure corporate setting; it’s a stable practice where vets are trusted clinicians and work-life balance is genuinely protected. The location offers coastal lifestyle appeal (close to the beach, Spinnaker Tower, and Isle of Wight ferry access) with easy connections to Portsmouth, Southampton, and London.