Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a full-time position offering something increasingly rare in small animal practice: a genuine four-day working week (Monday to Thursday, 10-hour days) with Fridays completely protected. You’ll work a manageable 1:5 Saturday morning rota (8:30am–12:30pm) as sole charge, but there are zero out-of-hours or on-call commitments—meaning your evenings and weekends genuinely belong to you.

Based in a beautiful 16th-century thatched cottage just outside Lyndhurst in the New Forest, Midforest Veterinary Practice has been serving the local community for over 40 years. The role has a consultation-led focus with a strong emphasis on medical case workup and building lasting client relationships. Surgical work is primarily routine with a high volume of dental procedures, providing excellent clinical variety. You’ll have some sole charge responsibility, but another vet is always a phone call away when you need support.

You’ll occasionally work from the sister branch in Totton (15 minutes away), and across both sites you’ll access digital radiography, dental X-ray, ultrasound, and in-house blood analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-standard patient and client care across a varied small animal caseload (dogs, cats, rabbits, and occasional exotics)
• Lead medical case workup and develop continuity of care relationships with clients
• Perform routine surgical procedures, with particular emphasis on dental work
• Work independently with sole charge responsibility on Saturday mornings, escalating complex cases to on-call support when needed
• Collaborate with a team of six vets, seven RVNs, and the practice management team to maintain clinical standards
• Contribute to the clinical culture of the practice and mentor colleagues where appropriate
• Pursue and support your own clinical development in areas of interest (the team includes certificate holders in ultrasound and dentistry)

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and current RCVS registration (or eligible 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
• Confidence working independently, particularly for sole charge Saturday mornings
• Proactive approach to learning, openness to feedback, and commitment to professional development
• Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work collaboratively within a team

Benefits

• Competitive salary: Up to £70,000 depending on experience, plus welcome bonus up to £5,000 and relocation allowance up to £5,000
• Time off: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Professional support: £1,250 annual CPD allowance, access to IVC Evidensia Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Professional fees: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Health & wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• Mentorship & development: Access to regional clinical coaches, mentors, and peer networks; clear career pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• Care Fund: £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Schemes & perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes, retail discounts and cashback offers, reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

About the Practice

Midforest Veterinary Practice has been a cornerstone of the local Lyndhurst community for over 40 years, building strong, lasting relationships with clients and their pets. The practice is housed in a distinctive 16th-century thatched cottage, creating a unique and welcoming environment that reflects its long-established character. The team comprises six veterinary surgeons, seven registered veterinary nurses, and a dedicated client care team, with clinical expertise including certificate holders in ultrasound and dentistry.

The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group encompassing over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting careers without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage.