Senior Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

The Oak Veterinary Group is seeking an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon to join its small animal team across three practices in beautiful Pembrokeshire. You’ll provide senior-level support to the Head Vet and wider team, working primarily from the main Haverfordwest site with regular rotational cover at the Fishguard and St David’s branches. This flexible role welcomes full-time, part-time, and job-share arrangements—the team will work with you to create a rota pattern that genuinely suits your lifestyle.

Based in one of Wales’ most stunning locations, you’ll enjoy working near 58 beaches, 14 harbours, and the longest-established section of the Wales Coastal Path. Standard working hours are 8:30am–7:00pm Monday to Friday (with a one-hour lunch break), plus rotational Saturday mornings (8:30am–1:30pm). Out-of-hours provision is handled by external services; in-patient care support is available when needed. The practice is undergoing premises redevelopment at Haverfordwest during 2026, signalling investment in facilities and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical leadership and mentorship to the team of seven veterinary surgeons
• Manage complex small animal cases, including orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery (with an advanced practitioner in surgical procedures available for support)
• Undertake routine surgery, dentistry, ultrasound, radiography, and endoscopy
• Deliver hydrotherapy and physiotherapy services at the Fishguard branch, plus laser and acupuncture (vet-led) services across sites
• Maintain high clinical standards in laboratory work, internal diagnostics, and surgical protocols
• Support clinical quality improvement and infection prevention control initiatives
• Rotate across three practice locations (Haverfordwest, Fishguard, St David’s) to ensure consistent team coverage

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Surgeon with UK RCVS registration
• Proven experience in small animal practice (senior-level candidates preferred)
• Competence in general small animal surgery, dentistry, and diagnostics
• Strong communication and leadership skills to support and develop team members
• Commitment to professional development and clinical excellence
• Flexibility to work across multiple sites on a rotational basis

Benefits

• Competitive salary: Up to £72,000 FTE depending on experience, plus relocation allowance (up to £3,000) and welcome bonus (up to £3,000)
• Annual leave: 6.6 weeks inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional holiday for your birthday
• Professional development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; certificate support; research funding available
• Professional memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered by the practice
• Health and wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme; enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay)
• Pension: Company pension scheme with employer contribution
• Care Fund: £1,250 per annum to spend via the practice Care Fund
• Colleague benefits: Cycle to Work scheme; Green Cars Scheme; voluntary benefits package; discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers; discounted pet treatment at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

The Oak Veterinary Group operates three small animal practices across Pembrokeshire, part of IVC Evidensia. The team comprises a Head Vet, seven Veterinary Surgeons, a Head Nurse, three Registered Veterinary Nurses, three Student Nurses, two Animal Nursing Assistants, a Practice Director, and reception support. An advanced practitioner in small animal surgery performs complex procedures, allowing the vet team to manage orthopaedic and soft tissue cases in-house.

The main Haverfordwest site offers surgery, dentistry, internal laboratory, ultrasound, radiography, and endoscopy facilities. The Fishguard branch features a unique aquatic treadmill for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, laser therapy, and massage delivered by qualified specialists, plus on-site dentistry and surgical facilities. Both sites utilise laser technology. The practice has a strong culture of social engagement, including annual team-building days and Christmas gatherings, and actively supports colleagues undertaking voluntary international work (recent example: a nurse supported a neutering scheme in Sri Lanka). Professional and personal development is central to the practice ethos, with emphasis on knowledge-sharing, clinical freedom, and skillset growth.