Veterinary Surgeon

Make a difference every day with PDSA

For over 100 years, PDSA has provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people facing financial hardship. Join us and help make a real difference to pets and the people who love them, while being part of a charity that's evolving to reach even more communities.

Grow your surgical career with us as a Veterinary Surgeon

At PDSA, you'll enjoy plenty of hands-on surgical experience, exposure to a wide variety of routine and complex cases, and the opportunity to develop your skills through our structured Veterinary Surgeon Skills Development Framework. You'll gain experience in procedures including:

• Soft tissue surgery, including pyometras, cystotomies, enterotomies, enucleations and caesarean sections.
• Orthopaedic procedures such as cruciate repairs, femoral head and neck excisions (FHNE), hip reductions and fracture management.
• Dentistry, from routine extractions through to major surgical extractions.
• Emergency and complex surgical case management, with a clear pathway to develop advanced skills in soft tissue surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmic surgery and complex reconstructive procedures*.

As you progress through the framework, your skills are formally reviewed each year, providing a clear pathway for career development and salary progression as your clinical expertise grows.

About you

We are looking for a Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys a varied role with a great mix of consultations and surgery, managing a diverse caseload while making a real difference to pets and owners who need our support.

To be successful, you'll:

• Be MRCVS registered.
• Have experience delivering high-quality patient and client care.
• Take a pragmatic, welfare-focused approach to clinical decision-making.
• Be confident working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Be computer literate and comfortable using clinical systems.
• Ideally have 12 months' UK small animal practice experience.

About the Hospital

Plymouth is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans.

Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well-equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment*.

Rewards, Support and Benefits

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
• CPD allowance of 5 days, £1000 per year for development. Payment of your full RCVS fees, so you’re never out of pocket. *Where applicable
• Extensive internal CPD programmes plus discounts for BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show.
• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days.
• Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 wellbeing support and private medical cover included.
• Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
• 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.

To apply for our Veterinary Surgeon role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.

Diversity & Inclusion

PDSA is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and the appropriate pre-employment checks. As a safeguarding organisation, we expect all colleagues to share our commitment to protecting children, adults at risk and one another.

* The range of procedures undertaken may vary between PDSA Pet Hospitals, depending on local caseload, facilities and clinical expertise.