About the Role
This is your chance to start your veterinary career in a genuinely supportive environment where you'll be guided by experienced colleagues who actually want to see you succeed. You'll work 40 hours across four 10-hour shifts Monday to Saturday, with Saturdays equally shared among the team so your days off are properly yours.
Animates operates two beautiful countryside sites in Thurlby and Market Deeping, with excellent road and rail links to London and beyond. The practice combines modern facilities with a genuine focus on animal welfare – you'll find a standalone cat clinic, dog-friendly and puppy-friendly accreditations, and ISFM silver status. The team spans 7 vets, 8 RVNs, 3 SVNs, 2 VCAs, and reception staff, plus a certificate holder in ophthalmology.
You'll be supported by a dedicated VetGDP advisor and day manager who'll work with your supervising vet to ensure you're not overwhelmed – cases are carefully filtered to match your development stage. The nursing team is exceptionally experienced and genuinely supportive of new graduates.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide small animal veterinary care across both Thurlby and Market Deeping sites under the guidance of senior colleagues
- Work collaboratively with the 7-vet team and experienced nursing staff to deliver high-standard patient care
- Develop clinical skills in a practice equipped with digital x-rays, rigid and flexible endoscopy, developing laparoscopic surgery, and full ophthalmology facilities
- Gain experience in the standalone cat clinic, providing consul, hospitalisation, and surgery away from dog-stressed environments
- Participate in the out-of-hours emergency service based at Thurlby (scheduling to be discussed)
- Engage with the IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy blended learning programme tailored to your goals
Requirements
- Recently qualified or newly graduated veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
- Passionate about small animal practice and committed to continuous learning
- Willingness to work within a supportive team environment and take constructive feedback
- Full professional indemnity insurance
Benefits
- Competitive starting salary: £36,000 per annum (pro-rata)
- Salary increase in year 2
- 6.6 weeks annual holiday plus your birthday off
- £1,250 per year via the IVC Care Fund for your wellbeing
- Company pension with IVC contribution
- Private medical insurance
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid professional memberships (RCVS and others)
- Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes
- Retail discounts and cashback
- Discounted pet care at IVC practices
- No financial tie-in
- Dedicated mentor through the IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy
- Access to blended learning programme, CPD opportunities, and IVC Evidensia Research Fund
- Global career opportunities across IVC Evidensia network
About the Practice
Animates Veterinary Clinic was established in 2005 and is dedicated to providing excellent care for cats, dogs, and exotic pets. The practice operates two fully equipped, modern sites in Thurlby and Market Deeping, featuring in-house blood analysis, digital imaging (x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy), echocardiography and ECG facilities, therapeutic laser and acupuncture, excellent theatre facilities, and separate dog, cat, and exotic wards. An exotics specialist (Sarah Pellett, Cert AVP ZooMed) runs clinics at Thurlby, treating small mammals, reptiles, rabbits, and birds. Animates is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group committed to supporting graduate careers through structured mentorship and development.
