Hospital Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a hospital-based veterinary surgeon position centred on inpatient and complex medical care. Rather than a traditional GP role, you will spend the majority of your time managing hospitalised patients, developing treatment plans, supporting emergency admissions, and seeing cases through from admission to discharge. You will also have opportunities for surgery and first-opinion consulting without the pressure of continuous consulting demands.

Working 36 hours across up to 4 days per week, this full-time role includes a 1 in 5 weekend rota (9-hour consulting shift) and one 12-hour bank holiday shift annually. Flexible working requests are welcomed, and you will never work sole charge.

Valley Veterinary Hospital is a 24/7 facility serving approximately 40 local practices, which means your caseload is genuinely varied and clinically interesting. Located just outside Cardiff, the practice offers easy access to South Wales' vibrant culture, the Vale of Glamorgan coastline, and the Brecon Beacons.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage complex medical inpatients and develop comprehensive treatment plans
• Support emergency admissions and work through challenging diagnostic cases
• Perform soft tissue surgery alongside hospital-based care
• Collaborate with the ECC team and consult on first-opinion cases
• Mentor and support less experienced colleagues
• Discuss cases collaboratively with experienced veterinary colleagues and RVNs
• Ensure high-quality patient care throughout hospital stays

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS or equivalent)
• Solid clinical experience and confidence making independent decisions
• Strong interest in hospital medicine, inpatient care, or ECC
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to team culture
• Experience with complex medical and surgical cases preferred

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks holiday including bank holidays
• Buy/sell holiday scheme
• 5 days CPD per year plus £1,750 CPD allowance
• Certificate support
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Two additional professional memberships covered
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
• Health Shield healthcare scheme
• Life assurance
• Colleague discount scheme
• Paid volunteering day
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Optional private healthcare
• Relocation support available for direct applicants

About the Practice

Valley Veterinary Hospital is a 24/7 specialist veterinary facility providing out-of-hours emergency and inpatient care services to approximately 40 local practices. The hospital features advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities including CT scanner, ultrasonography, dedicated ECC wards, orthopaedic and soft tissue theatres, an exotic animal theatre, endosurgery facilities, modern dental suite, extensive laboratory with blood gas analysis and TEG, and a rehabilitation service with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Part of the VetPartners group, Valley Vets operates a collaborative culture where clinical excellence is prioritised, staff development is encouraged, and team support is genuine. The practice vision is to be the veterinary practice of choice for clients, patients, and veterinary professionals.