Veterinary Surgeon - Veterinary Clinic

Are you an experienced vet looking for a fresh challenge, a supportive team, and the chance to shape the future of a much-loved independent practice—all while enjoying a full-time role over just three days a week? Hopwood Veterinary Centre is a proudly independent, small animal practice based near the scenic Lickey Hills, on the southern edge of Birmingham. Established 20 years ago by our Practice Principal, Cara, Hopwood Vets has grown into a trusted, community-focused clinic.

At Hopwood Vets, we know that every pet is unique, with their own quirks, needs, and personality—and that’s exactly how we treat them. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to veterinary care. Instead, we take the time to get to know our patients (and their people), building genuine, lasting relationships built on trust and understanding.

\\n We truly value the unique strengths each team member brings, actively supporting both personal and professional growth, and we’re there for one another through any of life's ups and downs. Her open-door policy isn’t just words; Having worked 30+ years for the NHS, it was a huge move for me to make. Everyone helps you through bad times, enjoys your good times and will always support you.

She makes it her business to know and understand her staff, always remembering important events and marking significant dates. We help each other and support each other. When it's busy, vets help on reception and receptionists help as bum stops!\\n At the end of the night, everyone helps tidy, clean up and reset for the next day. Cara is a boss who leads by example – It is not uncommon for her to be on nursing duties, helping at reception or cleaning.

Cara and Liz both enjoy the variety being a GP vet brings, and our brilliant 2022 Bristol graduate, Marcus, enjoys consulting and small furries, while also building his confidence in surgery (particularly dentistry). We are a nurse training practice with an experienced team of 4 RVNs (and are actively recruiting for a 5th) and 1 SVN, as well as an excellent client care team. \\n\\n We have all the usual kit you’d expect in a first opinion practice, and could easily support someone with an interest in orthopaedics.

For complex cases, we offer referral options to our trusted local referral centres, which include The Willows, West Midlands Veterinary Referrals, and Blaise Veterinary Referral Hospital. \\n Ideally, this is a full-time role with a 3-day week (8.30 am – 7 pm), and it would be great if you could commit to a 2:4 share of Saturday morning consultations (8.30 am – 1 pm). However, don’t let this be a deal breaker if you have other commitments to work around, as we’re happy to chat about alternative options, such as a 4-day week or a 1:4 Saturday rota.

Our appointments are generally 20 minutes long, with time allocated during the day for phone calls, admin, and most importantly, lunch. Our out-of-hours service is outsourced to The Willows, who also look after any inpatients, meaning your evenings, Sundays, and bank holidays are free to enjoy. \\n Beyond our festive Christmas parties and special birthday celebrations, you'll often find us socialising in smaller groups outside of work.

Whether it's unwinding with live music at the local bar on a Friday evening or catching up over a relaxed meal, these moments help strengthen our bond. Our community spirit goes beyond the workplace, and each year, one of us selects a charity that's close to their heart, and we all unite to raise funds. The Lickey Hills are perfect for enjoying the outdoors, offering scenic walks and a variety of dog-friendly trails.

A salary of £45,000 to £60,000, depending on experience \\n~ A 3-day week, with a 1:4 or 2:4 share of Saturdays mornings only \\n~ 5 weeks’ holiday, plus bank holidays \\n~ Professional fees paid (RCVS and VDS)\\n~ Employee discount \\n\\n If you would like to enjoy working with our close-knit, supportive team, please call us for an informal chat or apply now