About the Role
This is your chance to join Riverside Vets, a proudly independent first-opinion practice in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, where clinical excellence meets genuine team culture. You'll be working alongside a settled group of six experienced small animal vets, talented RVNs, and dedicated support staff who have built something special together. The team shares cases, backs each other through the busy days, and celebrates the wins—there's real camaraderie here.
Based on a sustainable 4-day week averaging 36 hours, you'll enjoy a mix of consulting and surgery with at least one dedicated operations day per week. Standard 20-minute consultations mean you have time to do things properly. The rota includes varied shifts (8-4, 9-5, 9-7, 11-7) with no more than two late finishes per week, and out-of-hours duties on a 1:6 shared rota (maximum 1:4). You'll have access to on-site accommodation if needed, and the clinical director is always available for backup and support.
Located just over an hour from London by train, Bishopstoke offers countryside walks in the New Forest and South Downs on your doorstep, with the coast easily accessible—perfect for genuine work-life balance.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-standard medical and surgical care with continuity of treatment for a loyal, established client base
- Conduct consultations (20 minutes as standard) across varied shift patterns
- Lead at least one dedicated surgery session per week
- Contribute to the practice's own out-of-hours service for registered clients only
- Participate in the 1:6 on-call rota (can reduce to 1:4 based on experience and preference)
- Engage with the team culture: case discussions, CPD sessions, and the practice's cherished Wednesday lunchtime tradition
- Work collaboratively with the clinical director, five other vets, and nursing team on clinical decision-making
Requirements
- Registered with the RCVS as a fully qualified veterinary surgeon
- Proven experience delivering high-standard medical and surgical care in small animal practice
- A genuine appreciation for teamwork and collaborative practice culture
- Clinical confidence and solid diagnostic and surgical skills
- Ability to thrive in a relationship-driven environment with continuity of care as a priority
- UK work eligibility (visa sponsorship not available)
Benefits
- Salary: £42,000–£55,000 depending on experience
- Work Pattern: 4-day week, approximately 36 hours
- Holiday: Minimum 6 weeks annually, increasing with length of service
- Professional Development: CPD actively encouraged and funded; certificates supported
- On-site Accommodation: Available for out-of-hours duties if required
- Professional Memberships: RCVS and VDS fees paid
- Clinical Resources: Well-equipped practice with digital endoscopy, dental X-ray, in-house lab, ultrasound, and full surgical suite
- Out-of-Hours Support: Clinical director available for backup; duty rota designed for fairness and genuine downtime
- Independent Practice: Real clinical freedom and autonomy in treatment decisions
About the Practice
Riverside Veterinary Surgery has been established since 1976 and operates as a proudly independent, privately owned small animal practice in Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Hampshire. The practice provides first-opinion care to small animals and equines, serving a wide community including Botley, Hedge End, Southampton, and Winchester. They run their own 24-hour out-of-hours service exclusively for their own registered clients—a model that emphasises continuity of care and personal relationships.
The team is known for a relaxed, friendly environment with genuine clinical freedom. The practice is well-equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics and surgical facilities, allowing rapid examination and diagnosis. The practice culture prioritises how the team works together; they protect a Wednesday lunchtime tradition where the team gathers to eat, catch up, run CPD, or simply rest—it's a reflection of their values around sustainability and team wellbeing. Many of their directors and senior clinicians have grown their careers at Riverside, developing from new graduates into experienced leaders.
