Graduate Veterinary Surgeon

About PDSA 

Celebrating Over 100 Years of Caring for Pets and People 

Every day in our Pet Hospitals, vets and vet nurses protect the special bond between owners and their pets by providing veterinary care to sick and injured animals whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.

Our Graduate programme offers an inspiring and fast-paced introduction to a unique career opportunity

Starting from your very first day, we place a strong emphasis on fostering your independence in managing cases. Our commitment is to provide support for the development of your clinical skills, ensuring you have the tools and guidance needed to unlock your full potential with PDSA 

Being a Graduate Vet Surgeon at PDSA is unique -  you will see and do things during your graduate programme at PDSA that will amaze you, challenge you and help you to grow in both skill and confidence so you can practice in any environment and fully enjoy life as a vet. 

During your 12 month Programme, you will have one-to-one training as well as a range of practical and on line CPD learning modules. You’ll work under the guidance of an experienced mentor, learning practical skills and gaining confidence in a safe and supportive environment. As well as helping you develop your medical and surgical skills, our comprehensive training will also cover softer skills like communication, resilience  and teamwork.

Here's an overview of what you'll be engaged in during our graduate development programme: 

Dedicated Time for Professional Growth: You'll have one day off the rota each week, reserved exclusively for your professional development. This time is all about you and your growth. 

Guidance from Onsite Vet GDP Adviser: You'll spend half a day every week collaborating with your onsite Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (GDP) Adviser. They'll provide valuable insights and guidance to enhance your growth. 

Balanced Clinical Exposure: Approximately 70% of your time will be dedicated to consulting with clients, allowing you to gain invaluable clinical experience. The remaining 30% will be focused on honing your diagnostic and surgical skills, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. 

Interactive Workshops: You'll participate in workshops alongside your cohort group, covering a wide array of topics – from clinical practice to leadership. These sessions are designed to enrich your knowledge and skills. 

Our goal is to equip you with the competencies and expertise necessary to chart your ideal career path within PDSA. Whether you aspire to further refine your clinical skills as an accomplished Vet Surgeon or transition into a leadership role, the choice is entirely yours to make 

We're deeply committed to creating a workplace where you not only excel but also feel connected to our mission and can make a meaningful impact. In addition to a fantastic work environment, here's what you can expect: 

Competitive Salary: Enjoy a competitive salary along with a standard 37.5-hour workweek. No Out of Hours and no sole charge. 

Continuous Professional Development: Access a variety of internal CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programs and benefit from discounts for events like the BSAVA congress and London Vet Show. 

Generous Holiday Allowance: Take advantage of 25 days of annual leave per year, excluding bank holidays, with the option to buy and sell up to 5 additional days each year. 

Pension Plans: Benefit from our Auto-Enrolment and Contributory pension schemes, which start with an enhanced rate of 5% contributions, rising to 10%. 

Life Assurance: You'll be covered by our Life Assurance policy, with pay-outs to your named beneficiaries, equating to 4 times your annual salary. 

Wellbeing Support: Enjoy an additional Wellbeing Day to use at your discretion, helping you recharge when needed.  Access our Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Online Wellbeing Centre for confidential professional support across a range of issues.  PDSA also recognises the importance of giving back, we empower and encourage our employees to make an impact in their communities with a ‘Volunteering Day’, this allows you to make a positive impact in your communities while supporting the cause you are passionate about. 

Discounts and Perks: Take advantage of a wide range of discounts for Shopping, cinema discounts, health cash plans, travel, discounted GYM Membership and many more with our Reward platform.

At PDSA, we're not just offering a job; we're providing a platform for your professional growth and personal well-being. Your journey with us promises to be fulfilling, supportive, and filled with opportunities for development. 

Applying for a position with us is straightforward: 

Click and Apply: Start by clicking the "apply" button. Create an account and fill out our user-friendly application form. 

Programme Commencement: The programme is scheduled to begin in September 2024

For any questions or clarifications, don't hesitate to reach out to us at

We're here to assist you throughout the application process. Your journey with us could be just a few clicks away 

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunity for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.