Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

You'll join Blue House Veterinary Centre, a single-site small animal practice in Biddulph on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border. This is a fully flexible role offering 20 to 40 hours per week spread across 2 to 5 days, with no overnight on-call, no night checks, no Sundays or bank holidays required. Saturday mornings (8am-1pm) are on a 1-in-3 or 1-in-6 rota, and the practice is genuinely open to discussion if this doesn't suit you. Whether you prefer full days, short days, split shifts, earlies or lates, the team will work with you to find a pattern that fits.

The practice has recently relocated to a modern, light-filled building designed with staff and patient wellbeing at the forefront. Consultation times are 20 minutes as standard, with 40 minutes allocated for euthanasia and complex cases. The practice promises to finish on time, every time, and has built in additional time (1 hour 40 minutes daily) for follow-ups, case reviews and note-catching. You'll have proper breaks with access to two staff rooms, a pool table, massage chair, espresso machine and shower facilities.

This is 100% small animal practice, and your clinical freedom is balanced with consistent support from an experienced team of 6 vets (4-5 FTE) with interests ranging from 3 months to 20 years of experience. Consulting-only work is equally valued as those with surgical or imaging interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver small animal veterinary care across consulting, surgery, imaging and other clinical interests aligned with your preferences
• Participate in a supportive team environment, collaborating with colleagues and experienced RVNs on case management and best practice
• Contribute to maintaining the practice's high clinical standards and client care reputation
• Engage in clinical development and follow-up discussions, with dedicated time built into your schedule
• Share Saturday morning rotas (1-in-3 or 1-in-6) if required, with flexibility to discuss alternatives

Requirements

• Registered with the RCVS as a veterinary surgeon
• Some experience preferred (the practice has recently recruited a new graduate, so experience helps but is not essential)
• A collaborative, values-driven approach to practice and a genuine commitment to work-life balance
• Willingness to spend at least one full day with the practice before final decision, to ensure cultural fit

Benefits

• Competitive salary: £40,000 to £65,000 based on 40-hour FTE (experience dependent)
• Welcome bonus of up to £5,000
• 6.8 weeks' holiday annually, including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development and wellbeing
• Funded CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• BVA membership fees, VDS cover and RCVS fees covered
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks
• Clear career progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership and specialist roles
• No OOH, night checks or Sunday working required

About the Practice

Blue House Veterinary Centre is an award-winning single-site small animal practice located in Biddulph, Staffordshire. The practice was Petplan Practice of the Year 2019 and has won multiple previous awards. In 2020, the team relocated to a new, purpose-designed building featuring natural light throughout, 8 consulting rooms, dedicated euthanasia room, two full theatres plus dental theatre, a large training room, and a cat-only waiting area and ward (Cat Friendly Silver status). The facility has been carefully designed to prioritise both staff wellbeing and excellent patient care.

The practice joined IVC five years ago and is part of inspiring vet care, the UK's largest vet care provider. Blue House is known for its strong emphasis on work-life balance, longer consultation times, and a cohesive, supportive team culture. The practice values clinical freedom, continuous improvement, open dialogue, diversity and inclusion, and is both BAME/LGBTQ+ inclusive and a Disability Confident Employer with full level access throughout the facility.