Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon (Hospital)

About the Role

You’ll be joining Woodcroft Veterinary Hospital as an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, taking the lead on inpatient care within a dynamic hospital environment. This is a mixed day hospital and out-of-hours role with a 40-hour average week, including a 1:4 weekend rota and some night shifts—balanced by genuine time off to pursue your own interests.

The role offers significant clinical variety and real progression opportunities. You’ll have access to the full range of advanced equipment across the Woodcroft group, including CT scanner, doppler echocardiography, flexible and rigid endoscopes, direct radiography suites, ultrasound scanners, dental radiography, electrocautery, and advanced anaesthesia equipment. Some sole charge work is integral to the position, so confidence working independently is essential.

Set in a lovely part of Cheshire close to both the Peak District and Lake District, with excellent transport links and just a short train ride to Manchester, this location offers a great work-life balance alongside a vibrant caseload.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-standard care for hospitalised inpatients, including some periods of sole charge responsibility
• Contribute to the hospital’s gold-standard approach to patient care with engaged client consent
• Utilise the group’s advanced diagnostic imaging and surgical equipment to support clinical decision-making
• Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary certificate-led referral team within the group
• Participate in the shared out-of-hours rotation alongside the group’s dedicated OOH clinic
• Engage with CPD opportunities to support your clinical development

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) with small animal experience
• Experienced enough to work confidently with periods of sole charge responsibility
• Ability to work flexibly across weekday, weekend, and night shifts on a rota basis
• Commitment to high standards of patient care and client communication
• Willingness to develop clinically and engage with CPD

Benefits

• Competitive salary (to be discussed at interview)
• Flexible working options available—part-time equivalent to the rota can be arranged
• Workplace pension scheme
• Health Shield: comprehensive contributions covering dentistry, sports massage, and other wellbeing treatments
• Professional fees covered: RCVS, BSAVA, BVRA
• CPD encouraged and funded
• Enhanced parental leave
• Buy and Sell Holiday scheme
• VDS cover
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Pet discount
• 5 weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Employee-funded private medical cover available at discount
• Internal employee appreciation and long service awards
• Access to VetPartners Learning Hub and specialist support across the group

About the Practice

Woodcroft Veterinary Group is a thriving 7-branch network committed to patient care, excellent client experience, and creating a supportive workplace. The group operates a Tier 3 hospital with multi-disciplinary certificate-led referral expertise in-house, alongside a dedicated out-of-hours clinic. The team takes pride in offering the very best options for patients with full client engagement and consent.

As a member of the VetPartners family, Woodcroft benefits from wider group support and resources. VetPartners was recently awarded Employer of the Year and is known for fostering a supportive, progressive environment where veterinary professionals can thrive.