Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This maternity cover Veterinary Surgeon role offers a varied small animal caseload within a practice that combines primary care with hospital-level support. You’ll be working 41 hours over four days, with shifts from 8am to a 6.30pm last appointment, plus 1 in 5 Saturday mornings and 1 in 8 emergency day cover for the practice’s own clients only.

The role includes clinical variety across cats, dogs, small furries, exotics and wildlife, with consult-only work also open for discussion. You’ll be supported by access to advanced clinical facilities, collaborative colleagues and opportunities to work across multiple branches.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide primary care veterinary services across a varied small animal caseload.
• Work alongside certificate holders in surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology and internal medicine.
• Handle routine work and cases with access to hospital status and more complex caseload exposure.
• Contribute to collaborative care across the wider practice team.
• Support the clinical development of colleagues through shared knowledge and experience.
• Take part in the rota, including Saturday mornings and emergency day cover for the practice’s own clients.

Requirements

• A veterinary degree and RCVS registration, or eligibility to register.
• Experience in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues.
• A proactive approach to learning and openness to feedback and development.
• Professionalism, reliability and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 DOE.
• 41 hours over four days.
• No OOH.
• 1 in 5 Saturday mornings.
• 1 in 8 emergency day cover for the practice’s own clients only.
• Extra time off following weekend working, with up to five consecutive rest days.
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet.
• Funded learning and development, including CPD allowance and access to IVC Academy training centres and role-relevant courses.
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks.
• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays.
• Private medical insurance.
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy.
• BVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees.
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes, subject to eligibility.
• Retail discounts and cashback offers.
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets.

About the Practice

Spring Lodge has been part of the Witham community for over 50 years, and the clinic itself has been present for more than 20 years. It offers full diagnostic and surgical facilities, including a surgical theatre, x-ray facilities and a dental ultrasonic scaler.

The practice is enrolled on the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme and has achieved Tier Two status. Its Witham Hospital has RCVS Veterinary Hospital accreditation and provides more extensive diagnostic and surgical support, with overnight hospitalisation and on-site nursing and veterinary care available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.