Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon FTC

About the Role

Vale Vets is looking for a Veterinary Surgeon to join the team on a 12 month fixed term contract. The role offers a varied small animal caseload across surgery, medicine and consulting, with 30 hours worked over 3 days each week.

The rota also includes 1 in 8 full weekends, 1 in 8 Saturday mornings and one late shift per fortnight from 12pm to 10pm. TOIL is given for OOH work, and there is the option to accept emergencies after 10pm for remuneration or hand them over to neighbouring external OOH clinics.

You will be joining a practice where first opinion and referral teams work in the same building, with support from colleagues across the wider hospital. The role suits a confident vet who enjoys working collaboratively and wants room to continue developing clinically.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver care across a varied small animal caseload, including surgery, medicine and consulting.
• Work collaboratively with the wider practice team to support both patient and client care.
• Contribute to the clinical culture of the practice by sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues.
• Support the ongoing development of those around you while continuing to grow your own clinical interests.
• Participate in the rota, including full weekends, Saturday mornings and late shifts as stated in the advert.
• Cover hospitalised in-patients during on-call periods, with the option to take emergencies after 10pm or pass them to external OOH clinics.

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, with openness to feedback and development.
• Professionalism, reliability and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• A passion for delivering excellent patient and client care.

Benefits

• Up to £55,000 FTE, depending on experience.
• 12 month fixed term contract.
• 30 hours per week over 3 days.
• 1 in 8 full weekends.
• 1 in 8 Saturday mornings.
• One late shift per fortnight, 12pm to 10pm.
• TOIL for OOH work.
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet.
• 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

Vale Vets is an RCVS approved veterinary hospital in Dursley, Gloucestershire. The hospital has first opinion clinicians, referral vets, nursing staff and a dynamic management team, with certificate holders in the first opinion team and specialist support within the referral team.

The practice has invested in modern facilities, including digital X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, CT and extensive animal care facilities. It also provides 24-hour nursing cover and its own out-of-hours emergency cover.