Senior Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a senior clinical position at an established small animal practice that’s been serving its local community for over 30 years. You’ll be the clinical leader and mentor for the team, guiding practice direction while maintaining hands-on veterinary work. The role is offered on a full-time basis (40 hours per week), though the practice is open to discussing part-time or flexible arrangements with the right candidate.

Wellpets Worle operates as a tight-knit unit with two receptionists, two nurses, and a nursing assistant—meaning you’ll build genuine relationships and work in a genuinely collaborative environment. The practice is fully equipped with modern facilities, allowing you to deliver high-quality veterinary care across a varied and interesting first-opinion caseload.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical direction and decision-making across the practice
• Mentor and support the nursing and veterinary team
• Deliver high-quality small animal clinical and surgical care
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through clear communication
• Balance autonomy with collaborative teamwork—contributing to practice strategy whilst respecting colleagues’ input
• Develop and pursue your own clinical interests within the practice’s caseload

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with strong clinical and surgical skills
• Leadership experience or demonstrable mentoring ability (formal or informal)
• Ability to communicate clearly with clients and colleagues
• Empathetic, collaborative approach to clinical work and team management
• Commitment to compassionate, person-centred veterinary care

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £70,000 FTE depending on experience
• Welcome & relocation support: Welcome bonus up to £10,000 and relocation allowance up to £5,000
• Holiday & wellbeing: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off; private medical insurance; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Learning & development: £1,250 CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD; access to Certificate and advanced learning support; Vetlexicon online resources; world-leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres; £1,250 annual Care Fund
• Professional support: BVA membership; VDS cover; RCVS fees covered
• Family-friendly: Enhanced family-friendly leave and pay
• Colleague perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies); retail discounts and cashback offers; reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

About the Practice

Wellpets Worle is an established small animal practice with over 30 years’ service to the local community. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, one of the world’s largest veterinary healthcare groups, with over 2,500 clinics and hospitals across 20 countries and around 41,000 employees. Despite this scale, Wellpets maintains its independent, close-knit culture with a small, supportive team committed to compassionate, high-quality care.

The practice is located in Worle, a suburban area three miles from Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset. It’s a family-friendly location with excellent transport links: the M5 is just one mile away, Bristol Airport 15 miles away, and direct train services connect to London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, and Cardiff Central. The area offers high-quality schools, nearby leisure options, and a good quality of life for families relocating to the region.