Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Riverside Veterinary Surgery is searching for an experienced small animal vet to join their settled team of six vets following a colleague’s relocation. This is a full-time role offering a sustainable 4-day week (averaging 36 hours) with a healthy mix of consulting and surgery work. You’ll enjoy 20-minute consultation slots, varied shift patterns (8am–4pm, 9am–5pm, 9am–7pm, 11am–7pm), and a cap of no more than two 7pm finishes per week, ensuring genuine downtime and the occasional long weekend.

Based in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, you’ll have countryside walks through the New Forest and South Downs within reach, the coast nearby, and London just over an hour away by train—perfect for balancing career ambition with real work-life balance. Out-of-hours duties are manageable: currently 1 in 6 duty weekends (maximum 1:4), with Saturday consultations separate from duty weekend rotas. Time off in lieu is given for weekend work, and on-site accommodation is available if you prefer it.

The practice is genuinely independent, with a protected Wednesday lunchtime tradition—1.5 hours where the team eats together, runs CPD sessions, or simply resets. This isn’t a corporate chain; it’s a place where colleagues back each other through busy days and celebrate the wins together.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality medical and surgical care with strong continuity for established clients
• Conduct consultations and manage a varied caseload across general small animal practice
• Lead at least one dedicated surgery day per week
• Participate in the shared out-of-hours rota (1:6 weekends, with clinical director backup available)
• Collaborate with a team of five other vets, RVNs, and support staff to provide first-opinion care
• Support the practice’s own 24-hour in-house OOH service for registered clients

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon registered with the RCVS
• Proven experience delivering high standards of medical and surgical care
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team
• Clinical confidence and genuine appreciation for shared decision-making
• Kind, capable demeanor with strong client communication skills
• Right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship not available)

Benefits

• Salary: £42,000–£55,000 depending on experience
• Holiday: Minimum 6 weeks’ holiday, increasing with length of service
• CPD: Actively encouraged and fully funded; certificates supported
• Professional fees: RCVS and VDS membership paid by the practice
• OOH accommodation: On-site accommodation available for out-of-hours shifts
• Clinical freedom: Independent practice with genuine autonomy over protocols and treatment decisions
• Equipment: Well-equipped facility with digital endoscopy, dental X-ray, in-house lab, ultrasound, and comprehensive surgical capabilities
• Work-life balance: Sustainable rota designed for genuine downtime and occasional long weekends

About the Practice

Riverside Veterinary Surgery has been established since 1976 and operates as an independent, privately owned first-opinion small animal practice in Bishopstoke, Hampshire. The team comprises six veterinary surgeons, supported by highly trained RVNs and dedicated support staff. The practice runs its own 24-hour in-house out-of-hours service exclusively for registered clients, allowing true continuity of care. They pride themselves on providing excellent standards in a relaxed, friendly environment with state-of-the-art equipment including digital endoscopy, dental X-ray, in-house laboratory facilities, and comprehensive ultrasound capabilities. The practice has built a loyal client base and strong community reputation across Hampshire, easily accessible between Eastleigh and Fair Oak, close to Botley, Hedge End, Southampton, and Winchester.

The team culture emphasizes genuine collaboration—cases are shared, colleagues support each other, and clinical decisions are made collectively. Many senior team members have grown their careers at Riverside, progressing from new graduates into experienced clinicians and leaders. Interests across the team span feline medicine (GP Certificate holder), dentistry and oral surgery, emergency and critical care (ECC certificate holder), complementary medicine, and acupuncture.