Veterinary Surgeon | Dorset Coast

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join a progressive, locally owned small animal practice on the Dorset coast. Offering a salary of up to £80,000 FTE depending on experience, this role combines an interesting first-opinion caseload, significant recent investment in facilities and equipment, excellent clinical support and a genuine focus on work-life balance.

The practice is particularly interested in hearing from vets with an interest in laparoscopic surgery, whether you already have experience or would like to develop in this area, with further investment in laparoscopic equipment planned.

Key Highlights

• Salary up to £80,000 FTE, depending on experience.
• Permanent position.
• Full-time role.
• 1 in 4 Saturdays.
• No OOH.
• Protected lunch breaks.
• Five-vet team with over 40 years' combined experience.
• Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine within the team.
• Opportunity to develop laparoscopic surgery skills.
• Excellent CPD and development support.
• RCVS-accredited Nurse Training Practice.
• Recently extended and upgraded premises.
• Dedicated dental suite and upgraded imaging facilities.
• Modern ultrasound with colour Doppler and ECG.
• K-Laser.
• Strong, established nursing and support team.
• Excellent coastal location with the beach within easy walking distance.

The Practice

You'll be joining a successful, locally owned small animal practice which has undergone considerable investment and expansion over recent years.

The premises have been extended to provide a dedicated dental suite, upgraded imaging room, additional consulting rooms, expanded kennel facilities, a larger client waiting area and a dedicated colleague space, providing both improved clinical facilities and somewhere for the team to properly step away during breaks.

Further investment has included a Vetus 50 ultrasound system with colour Doppler and ECG capabilities and a K-Laser, while laparoscopic equipment is planned as the practice continues developing its minimally invasive surgical capabilities.

The practice is also equipped with an in-house laboratory, digital radiography, dental radiography, operating theatre, hospital ward, isolation facilities and separate dog and cat wards.

The veterinary team currently consists of five vets with more than 40 years of combined clinical experience, providing a strong level of support and knowledge within the practice.

One of the Practice Owners is an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine, with a particular interest in investigating medical cases. The other Practice Owner holds an RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice and has a particular interest in quality improvement and improving patient outcomes.

There is also an established nursing team with interests including anaesthesia, dentistry, Schedule 3 procedures, laboratory work, physiotherapy and nutrition, providing excellent clinical support to the veterinary team.

The practice is an RCVS-accredited Nurse Training Practice, with a collaborative approach to development and regular clinical and non-clinical team meetings.

The Role

This is a permanent, full-time Veterinary Surgeon position within a supportive first-opinion environment.

You'll manage a varied small animal caseload across consultations, diagnostics, medical work-ups and surgery, with the clinical freedom and facilities required to work cases up to a high standard.

The practice would particularly like to hear from someone with an interest in laparoscopic surgery. Previous experience would be welcomed but isn't essential, as there is an opportunity for the successful vet to develop in this area with appropriate equipment, caseload and CPD support.

There is also an opportunity to play an important role in supporting and mentoring less experienced vets within the team, so the position would suit someone who enjoys sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of colleagues.

Work-life balance is taken seriously, with:

• Full-time hours.
• 1 in 4 Saturdays.
• No OOH.
• Protected lunch breaks.
• Flexibility wherever possible.
• Dedicated colleague space away from the clinical environment.

The practice currently opens 9:00am–7:00pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am–5:00pm on Saturdays, with Sundays closed.

The Candidate

We're looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who is confident within general small animal practice and enjoys providing a high standard of clinical care.

You'll ideally be someone who:

• Is RCVS registered.
• Has good general medical and surgical skills.
• Is comfortable managing and working up their own cases.
• Enjoys working collaboratively within a close-knit clinical team.
• Has an interest in maintaining high clinical standards.
• Is keen to continue developing professionally.
• Enjoys supporting and mentoring less experienced colleagues.
• Has an interest in laparoscopic surgery, or would like to develop one.

The practice places considerable importance on creating a supportive and psychologically safe working environment where colleagues can ask questions, share ideas and continue learning regardless of their level of experience.

Facilities & Team

You'll be joining an established team with access to an excellent range of facilities, including:

• Dedicated dental suite.
• Dental radiography.
• Digital radiography.
• Upgraded imaging facilities.
• Vetus 50 ultrasound with colour Doppler and ECG.
• K-Laser.
• In-house laboratory.
• Operating theatre.
• Hospital ward.
• Separate dog and cat wards.
• Isolation facilities.
• Additional consulting rooms.
• Planned laparoscopic equipment.
• On-site parking.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £80,000 FTE, depending on experience.
• Generous CPD support.
• Support to develop laparoscopic skills and other clinical interests.
• Career and professional development opportunities.
• 1 in 4 Saturdays.
• No OOH.
• Protected lunch breaks.
• Supportive and experienced clinical team.
• Modern, recently expanded working environment.
• Locally owned practice with hands-on clinical leadership.

The Location

The practice is situated on the Dorset coast, offering an excellent lifestyle for anyone wanting to combine their veterinary career with easy access to the coast and countryside.

The beach is around a five-minute walk from the practice, making it possible to get outside during a lunch break or head straight to the coast after work. The wider area provides access to the Jurassic Coast and some of Dorset's best-known countryside and coastal scenery.

There is also on-site parking at the practice.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a practice where clinical standards, teamwork, development and wellbeing are genuinely valued. Whether you're looking to develop an interest in laparoscopy, mentor less experienced colleagues or simply join an established team where you can enjoy practising veterinary medicine with an excellent work-life balance, this role offers an exciting next step in your career.

Interested?

CLICK APPLY NOW to submit your application.

If you have any questions before applying, or you're exploring other permanent or locum veterinary opportunities, contact the Vet Seekers team for a confidential discussion.

Please quote Job Reference: 26-00558

T: 0333 014 7374 
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