Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This part-time veterinary surgeon role (around 20 hours per week, or full-time at 37.5 hours if preferred) sits within Gateshead Vets for Pets, a modern, purpose-built small animal surgery operating under the Pets at Home Vet Group umbrella. You'll enjoy the best of both worlds: the resources and support of a national group combined with the clinical freedom and personal touch of a locally owned practice.

The practice runs at 1.5 vet days with RVN support at a ratio of approximately 1.5 RVNs per vet, ensuring you're never working alone. Your rota includes 1 in 4 Saturdays (9am to 6pm) with time off in lieu during the week, and crucially, no out-of-hours work. Rotas are individually tailored and agreed well in advance, so you can plan your life around work, not the other way round.

Based in Gateshead, the North East offers vibrant city life, beautiful coastline and countryside, and some of England's most affordable housing, with fast rail connections to London in under 3 hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Morning and afternoon consultation sessions (20+ minutes as standard with nurse support throughout)
• Routine and elective surgery including neuters, dentals, and soft tissue work
• Client communication and clinical record-keeping via Provet Cloud
• Occasional sole charge duties (minimum 2-3 years qualified experience required)
• Contribute to team protocols and policies with full clinical input
• Deliver high-quality first opinion small animal care

Requirements

• RCVS qualified veterinary surgeon
• Minimum 2-3 years qualified (sole charge work required occasionally)
• Enthusiastic, approachable, and patient-focused approach
• Strong team player with passion for high-quality clinical care
• Confident with consultations and routine surgery
• Consult-only arrangements can be discussed if preferred

Benefits

• Salary up to £55,000 FTE (dependent on experience)
• Flexible, personalised rota built around your needs (part-time or full-time)
• No out-of-hours work; all emergency cover provided by a referral practice
• Only 1 in 4 Saturdays with time off in lieu during the week
• 20+ minute consultations with dedicated nurse support
• Complete clinical freedom with full team input into protocols and policies
• Unlimited CPD with no set budget; individual clinical interests actively supported
• Professional fees covered (RCVS, VDS, BVA)
• Private health care, pension scheme, and Pets at Home team discount

About the Practice

Gateshead Vets for Pets is a family-owned practice operating two modern, purpose-built surgeries in the North East at Gateshead (Metro Centre) and Newcastle Kingston Park. As practice owners, they combine the resources and support of the Pets at Home Vet Group with clinical independence and a locally focused approach. Team wellbeing is central to how they work, with development taken seriously and every team member having a genuine voice in practice decisions.

Both practices operate as first opinion small animal facilities within Pets at Home. Kingston Park runs at 2 vet days with the same support model. The practice is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming people from all walks of life and creating opportunities for exceptional talent in their communities.