Veterinary Surgeon Vacancy, South Wales

Bright Leaf Recruitment - Veterinary Recruitment; Wales; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

CPD leave

CPD allowance £1500

RCVS and VDS fees paid

Professional memberships

Job summary

Bright Leaf Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon for a busy small animal hospital in Bridgend. The role combines high‑quality clinical work with leadership, mentoring, and a supportive on-call system.

The four‑day week enables a balanced schedule while maintaining patient care standards. The ideal candidate will manage consultations, surgery and inpatient care, contribute to team development, and enjoy mentoring colleagues in a collaborative environment backed by an

Qualifications

• Licensed veterinary surgeon with current UK registration.
• Experience in small animal practice preferable.
• Strong mentoring and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Work across consultations, inpatient care, surgery and Cats Protection cases.
• Provide clinical leadership and mentoring to colleagues.
• Support on-call duties on a 1/4 basis, usually remote by phone.
• Participate in case discussions and maintain high clinical standards.
• Contribute to wider team development and open communication.

Job description

This busy hospital in Bridgend is seeking an experienced Senior Veterinary Surgeon to join its independent, vet-owned and RCVS-accredited small animal hospital in Bridgend. Offering a genuine four-day working week, this position combines a varied first-opinion caseload with clinical leadership and a supportive out-of-hours back-up role. It would suit a confident vet who enjoys high-quality clinical work, mentoring colleagues and providing calm, practical guidance when complex cases arise.

The successful candidate will work across consultations, inpatient care, surgery and Cats Protection cases, with opportunities to develop their own clinical interests while contributing to the wider team's development. The practice values open communication, collaborative case discussions and a supportive approach to clinical decision-making, giving the Senior Veterinary Surgeon scope to share their experience and help less experienced colleagues build confidence.

The role and working pattern

The position offers four eight-hour shifts per week, with protected breaks and scheduled administration and telephone time built into consulting days. A one-hour lunch break also provides time to recharge during the working day.

Alongside the general-practice caseload, the role includes a second on-call commitment once every four weeks. This is usually managed remotely by telephone, supporting the first on-call vet and attending the hospital when more complex cases require additional assistance. An RVN and SVN are available on site 24 hours a day to support patient care. Candidates must live within 30 minutes' travelling time of the hospital.

There is also a one-in-four weekend rota involving morning duties caring for hospital inpatients. The role offers an opportunity to combine senior clinical responsibility with a more balanced working pattern, while remaining actively involved in patient care and supporting the wider veterinary team.

The practice and facilities

The team is led by an Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery, and an Advanced Practitioner in Feline Medicine. Their leadership supports a close-knit, collaborative culture in which clinical standards, shared knowledge and professional development are central to the way the practice operates.

The purpose-built hospital is equipped to manage a diverse caseload, with separate areas for cats, dogs and exotics. Facilities include digital radiography, Doppler ultrasound, dental radiography, a comprehensive in-house laboratory featuring SediVue, and a range of scopes. The team also operates branch practices in Pontyclun, Port Talbot and Porthcawl.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who communicates effectively, remains composed under pressure and has confidence in emergency medicine and surgery. They will enjoy working collaboratively, maintaining high clinical standards and providing approachable guidance to colleagues through mentoring, practical support and case discussions.

Salary and benefits

The salary is £60,000–£75,000, depending on experience and clinical confidence. The package includes 38 days of annual leave, comprising six weeks plus bank holidays, as well as five days of CPD leave and an annual CPD allowance of £1,500. Enhanced CPD support is available for Advanced Practitioners, and the practice pays RCVS and VDS fees alongside one additional professional membership.

Location

Situated between Cardiff and Swansea, the Bridgend hospital benefits from excellent M4 connections and easy access to the Welsh coastline and surrounding countryside, including the Brecon Beacons. It offers an attractive location for a vet seeking a senior position within an independent practice, with opportunities to contribute clinically and support colleagues while benefiting from a permanent four-day working week.