Veterinary Surgeon | Bedfordshire

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join a well-established, genuinely independent, RCVS-accredited Small Animal Veterinary Hospital in Bedfordshire.

Offering a salary of £37,500–£55,000 DOE, this is an attractive opportunity for a Veterinary Surgeon with approximately 2–5 years' UK experience who is looking to develop their clinical skills within a large, supportive and experienced veterinary team.

The position offers full-time or part-time hours of up to 37.5 hours per week, a 1 in 4 Saturday daytime rota and no on-call responsibilities, alongside excellent opportunities for clinical progression, additional qualifications and longer-term leadership development.

Key Highlights

• Salary £37,500–£55,000 DOE, based on experience and clinical competencies.

• Permanent Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon position.

• Full-time or part-time opportunities.

• Up to 37.5 hours per week.

• Working patterns across 3–5 days per week considered.

• 1 in 4 Saturday daytime rota.

• No on-call responsibilities.

• Genuinely independent, RCVS-accredited Small Animal Veterinary Hospital.

• Large, established clinical team with experienced certificate holders.

• Particularly suitable for a vet with a medical or diagnostic imaging interest.

• Varied first-opinion caseload, including some exotic species.

• Excellent opportunities for clinical development and progression.

• £1,500 CPD allowance and 5 CPD days annually, pro rata.

• Further qualifications and certificates encouraged and supported.

The Practice

Our client is a long-established, independently owned Small Animal Veterinary Hospital in Bedfordshire, with a reputation for providing high standards of veterinary care and excellent client service.

Established in the 1950s, the practice has grown into a successful veterinary business employing approximately 50 team members across three sites, including a purpose-built hospital.

The practice is proud of its independent status and places considerable importance on clinical standards, continuity of care, collaboration and investing in its people.

You'll be joining a knowledgeable and supportive team that includes experienced Veterinary Surgeons, Registered Veterinary Nurses and dedicated support colleagues.

Several members of the veterinary team are Advanced Practitioners or hold additional qualifications in areas including:

• Cardiology.

• Diagnostic imaging.

• Small Animal Medicine.

The practice also actively supports vets working towards postgraduate qualifications and encourages clinical discussions, shared learning and continued professional development.

Regular practice meetings, journal clubs, clinical case discussions and morbidity and mortality meetings form part of its commitment to maintaining high clinical standards.

Facilities & Equipment

As an RCVS-accredited Small Animal Veterinary Hospital, the practice offers extensive facilities for investigating and managing a broad range of medical and surgical cases.

Facilities and clinical services include:

• Purpose-built small animal hospital.

• Diagnostic imaging facilities.

• Ultrasonography.

• Surgical facilities for routine and more advanced procedures.

• Medical investigation and diagnostic services.

• Hospitalisation and inpatient care.

• Facilities for treating a variety of species, including exotics.

• Access to experienced Veterinary Surgeons with additional qualifications in medicine, imaging and cardiology.

The practice provides a varied and interesting caseload, with opportunities to develop clinical confidence and broaden experience alongside experienced colleagues.

The Role

This is a varied small animal first-opinion position offering a combination of consultations, medical investigations, diagnostics, surgery and ongoing case management.

Our client is ideally looking for a Veterinary Surgeon with approximately 2–5 years' UK experience who has developed a good foundation in general practice and is keen to continue progressing.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to take ownership of their cases while benefiting from the experience and clinical support available within the wider veterinary team.

The practice is particularly interested in speaking with vets who have an interest in:

• Small animal medicine.

• Diagnostic imaging and ultrasonography.

• Medical investigations and case management.

• General first-opinion practice.

• Developing more advanced clinical skills.

A good all-round Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys a varied caseload and wants to consolidate their general practice skills would also be very welcome.

There are opportunities for the successful candidate to continue developing their clinical interests, undertake further qualifications and potentially progress towards leadership or management responsibilities in the longer term.

Rota & Work-Life Balance

The position offers flexibility for Veterinary Surgeons looking for either full-time or part-time employment.

• Up to 37.5 hours per week.

• Full-time or part-time considered.

• Working patterns across 3–5 days per week.

• 1 in 4 Saturday daytime rota.

• No on-call responsibilities.

The exact daily working hours, Saturday shift times, lunch arrangements and any time off in lieu will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

The hospital provides a 24-hour service, but the vacancy itself does not involve on-call duties. Any additional evening or inpatient responsibilities will be clarified with the employer.

Clinical Development & Progression

Professional development is a major focus within this independent hospital.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to work alongside experienced Veterinary Surgeons and certificate holders, providing exposure to clinical discussions, more complex medical cases and diagnostic investigations.

The practice encourages further development in areas such as diagnostic imaging, medicine and surgery, with support for postgraduate certificates and other qualifications.

There may also be opportunities to become involved in:

• Clinical mentoring and supporting junior colleagues.

• Practice meetings and clinical improvement initiatives.

• Developing practice protocols.

• Leadership and management responsibilities.

• Working towards additional qualifications and certificates.

This makes the position particularly appealing to a Veterinary Surgeon who has already gained a degree of clinical independence but wants to continue developing within a collaborative environment.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will ideally:

• Be an RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon.

• Have approximately 2–5 years' UK small animal first-opinion experience.

• Be confident with general consultations and routine case management.

• Have a good foundation in small animal medicine and surgery.

• Be interested in developing diagnostic imaging, medicine or more advanced clinical skills.

• Enjoy working collaboratively within an established veterinary team.

• Recognise when to seek advice or clinical support.

• Have excellent communication skills and a compassionate approach to patient care.

• Be enthusiastic about continued professional development.

• Be keen to contribute positively to the wider practice and its future development.

An interest in medicine or diagnostic imaging would be particularly welcome, although an enthusiastic all-rounder looking to develop further would also be considered.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not currently available.

Salary & Benefits

• £37,500–£55,000 per annum DOE, reflecting the advertised Grade 2 and Grade 3 salary structures.

• Permanent full-time or part-time contract.

• Up to 37.5 hours per week.

• 3–5 working days per week considered.

• 1 in 4 Saturday daytime rota.

• No on-call responsibilities.

• £1,500 annual CPD allowance, pro rata.

• 5 CPD days per year, pro rata.

• Further qualifications and certificates encouraged and supported.

• RCVS registration fees paid.

• VDS cover provided.

• 28 days' annual leave including Bank Holidays, pro rata.

• Additional annual leave for length of service, increasing by one day for every two completed years, up to five additional days.

• Company pension.

• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits.

• BUPA health insurance after five years' continuous service.

• Up to £20 per month towards gym membership.

• Up to £20 per month towards pet insurance.

• Discounted veterinary services.

• Supportive independent hospital environment.

• Experienced veterinary colleagues and Advanced Practitioners.

• Opportunities for long-term clinical and career progression.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon looking to develop their career within an established independent veterinary hospital in Bedfordshire, offering an experienced clinical team, varied caseload, genuine development opportunities and a working pattern without on-call responsibilities.

Interested?

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Please quote Job Reference: 26-00575

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