Veterinary Surgeon – Bedford | Independent 24-Hour Hospital | Exceptional Mentorship | From £37,500 A thriving independent small animal hospital in Bedford is seeking a passionate Veterinary Surgeon with less than two years’ UK practice experience. This opportunity is ideal for a vet who may feel disillusioned in their current role — perhaps not receiving the support or development they were promised — and is now looking to join a progressive, genuinely supportive hospital team where clinical freedom and professional growth are prioritised. As an independent hospital, decisions are made on-site, investment is reinvested into facilities and people, and patient care always comes first. The Role – Full-Time Veterinary Surgeon (37.5 Hours) This is a full-time position within a busy, well-equipped 24-hour veterinary hospital offering an excellent early-career development pathway. Rota: One fixed night duty per week (currently Wednesday) One weekend in four on-call Always working alongside an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse Always supported by a senior vet or director for backup The Wednesday night duty offers a particularly favourable pattern — after Thursday morning handover, the successful candidate does not return until Monday, allowing for an extended rest period and strong work-life balance. The hospital provides its own 24-hour emergency care Monday to Thursday and daytime emergency cover Friday to Sunday. Overnight emergencies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are seen by Vets Now, while all inpatients remain on-site — meaning no patient transfers and complete continuity of care. The role is entirely hospital-based, with no branch work required until the vet feels confident and competent to undertake sole charge (typically after further development and support). Clinical Environment & Caseload This independent veterinary hospital offers a diverse and rewarding caseload, including: Small animal medicine Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) Soft tissue surgery Laparoscopic spays The team includes multiple certificate holders and Advanced Practitioners in Cardiology, Diagnostic Imaging, and Small Animal Medicine, fostering a strong learning culture. As an Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Practice and Vetsure Graduate Friendly practice, development is embedded in daily life. Those requiring VetGDP support will benefit from: A dedicated personal mentor Protected 1-hour weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions Daily collaborative case discussions Structured morning and afternoon hospital rounds This is a hospital that truly invests in building confident, capable clinicians. Salary & Benefits Starting salary from £37,500 CPD allowance of £1,500 plus 5 paid CPD days 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays) Additional annual leave: 1 extra day for every 2 years worked (up to 5 additional days) RCVS and VDS professional fees covered BUPA Health Insurance Staff discounts Contributions toward gym membership Contributions toward pet insurance Company pension scheme Why Join This Independent Veterinary Hospital in Bedford? Independent practice with clinical freedom Strong mentorship and genuine senior support No sole charge until confident Diverse and stimulating hospital caseload Certificate holders and Advanced Practitioners on-site Excellent work-life balance rota Clear commitment to professional growth And for those who enjoy baking — or simply appreciate high-quality baked goods — the team culture may be an added bonus. This is an outstanding opportunity for an early-career Veterinary Surgeon seeking a supportive, independent hospital in Bedford where development is prioritised, teamwork is valued, and patient care always comes first. Applications are welcomed from motivated, team-oriented vets ready to grow within a forward-thinking and well-supported environment! For more information or for a confidential chat, please contact Will on 01904 570056 or email to w.kovach-ward@purovets.com You can also WhatsApp me on 07851 060654 as I'm always happy to answer any questions you may have about our great opportunities! To view all our vacancies, please visit https://purovets.com/veterinary-jobs/ And don't forget, if this position is of no interest to you but you know someone who may be interested, please pass on our details. We offer £250* for every successful candidate referral. *Terms and conditions apply. Ref no: JOB-57263