Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Join a thoughtfully run small animal practice in Dunfermline, Fife, just a short train ride from Edinburgh. This is a full-time or part-time permanent role with genuinely flexible hours (20-25 hours per week part-time, or 40 hours full-time) and no on-call or after-hours commitment. You'll work one Saturday every four weeks during standard opening hours (8.30am-6pm weekdays, 9am-12pm Saturdays).

The practice has spent eight years deliberately designing a sustainable working environment. That means properly timed appointments, protected lunch breaks, scheduled admin time, and clear protocols for handling busy days without compromise. Emergency slots are reserved in the diary rather than squeezed in around overbooked schedules. Operations are planned by time to complete, not volume, so you won't skip lunch to finish a packed surgical list.

This is a practice where the culture matters as much as the clinical work. You'll be joining a small, experienced team with access to excellent diagnostic equipment including iM3 digital dental radiography, MyLab Omega ultrasound, in-house Idexx lasercyte, microscopy, blood pressure monitoring, and capnography. The practice is expanding to include dedicated dental and ultrasound/endoscopy rooms.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct consultations, wellness visits, and preventative care assessments
• Perform dental procedures, neutering, and soft tissue surgery
• Carry out basic ultrasound scans and radiographic investigations
• Conduct thorough medical work-ups and prescribe treatments
• Manage client communications and relationship building
• Contribute to team culture and communications
• Maintain accurate clinical records and invoicing
• Work collaboratively with experienced nursing and reception teams on case management and client triage

Requirements

• Veterinary degree registrable in the UK with current MRCVS membership
• Right to work in the UK independently (visa sponsorship not available)
• Some post-graduate experience preferred, though newly qualified graduates with the right fit are welcome
• Strong communication skills with both clients and team members
• Ability to work compassionately across a spectrum of care options
• Self-motivation to grow clinically and willingness to learn from mentorship
• Genuine interest in client relationships and team culture (not viewing clients as adversaries)

Benefits

• Salary range £45,000 to £65,000 FTE, determined by SPVS data and years qualified
• Flexible, negotiable hours: 20-25 hours per week (part-time) or 40 hours (full-time)
• CPD budget of £1,500 per annum, with certificate support considered
• RCVS and VDS fees covered by the practice
• Company pension scheme
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Partnership opportunity available for the right candidate interested in ownership
• Protected lunch breaks and scheduled admin time
• Mentorship and support for professional development, including postgraduate certificates
• Access to equipment for advanced diagnostics and surgical techniques

About the Practice

Vets4Pets Dunfermline is an eight-year-old independent practice that operates as part of the Vets4Pets group but maintains complete autonomy in day-to-day management and clinical decisions. The practice was founded with a deliberate mission to create a sustainable, values-led workplace. The owner's experience of unsustainable working conditions as a new graduate inspired the creation of systems that work for staff, clients, and patients alike.

The team is small, experienced, and stable. The practice has clear values: honesty, trustworthiness, friendliness, resilience, empathy, and a commitment to having fun at work. The practice actively manages client behaviour, supports staff through complaints, and listens to team feedback. There is genuine mentorship available, with senior clinicians encouraging team members to pursue postgraduate qualifications and develop specialist interests.