Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

A rare opportunity has arisen for a GP Vet to join a busy, well-established practice in an exciting and varied role. You’ll work four days per week (8:30am–6:30pm) at the Zetland Road Hospital, with three Saturdays in eleven (two at Zetland Road, 8:30am–5:00pm, and one at the Fishponds branch, 9:00am–4:00pm). As a float position, you’ll cover shifts across eight Bristol branches, meaning your caseload remains diverse and consistently challenging—a mix of consulting and surgery in both hospital and smaller practice settings. This setup provides excellent exposure and professional development opportunities without the monotony of a single-site role.

You’ll be joining a friendly, welcoming team led by an experienced Clinical Director and several Senior Vets, many of whom have been with the practice over a decade. Colleagues include those holding Certificates in Surgery and Small Animal Medicine, alongside expertise in behaviour, herbal medicine, and acupuncture. The practice clearly invests in its people and expects to be part of something genuinely collaborative.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide primary care veterinary services across eight Bristol branches
• Perform routine and emergency consultations and surgical procedures
• Contribute to a mixed caseload including dogs, cats, small pets, and exotic-friendly patients
• Work as part of a multi-site team, rotating between hospital and practice settings
• Support colleague development and maintain clinical standards across the network
• Engage in CPD and certificate-level study opportunities

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a Veterinary Surgeon
• Experience in general small animal practice (level of experience not specified—both new and experienced vets welcome to discuss)
• Full UK driving licence (required for multi-site float role)
• Genuine interest in case variety and professional development
• Collaborative approach to teamwork

Benefits

• Time Off: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family-friendly leave and pay, 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD time, certificate and advanced learning support, access to Vetlexicon online resources, world-leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres, £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, RCVS fees paid
• Colleague Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies), retail discounts and cashback offers, reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Flexible Working: Open to discussing flexible arrangements with the right candidate

About the Practice

Zetland Vets is an eight-branch small animal practice based in Bristol, part of IVC Evidensia—a global veterinary group with over 2,500 clinics and hospitals across 20 countries and around 41,000 employees. The practice is known for its friendly culture, experienced clinical leadership, and strong team continuity. The main hospital at Zetland Road provides the clinical hub, while the network of smaller branches ensures diverse case exposure and community reach.

The practice treats dogs, cats, small pets, and is exotic-friendly. As part of IVC Evidensia, team members benefit from access to world-class training infrastructure, career development pathways, and corporate support whilst maintaining a strong local practice identity.