Graduate Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll be joining Crown Vets as part of IVC Evidensia’s Graduate Academy—a structured programme designed to help newly qualified vets build confidence and clinical expertise in their first year of practice. Based in Inverness, you’ll work 40 hours per week across opening hours (8am–8pm Monday–Thursday, 8am–6pm Friday, 8am–4pm Saturday), with exposure to sole charge work at the practice’s branch locations, supported initially by your clinical coach and later by phone support as you develop competence.

Inverness offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and urban amenities. The Highlands provide endless opportunities for walking, wild swimming, camping and paddleboarding, whilst the city itself has excellent shopping, cafes, live music venues, theatres, and family-friendly attractions including a leisure centre, ice skating rink and petting farms. The area is well-connected via train and airport, with direct flights to major UK cities and beyond. You’ll also benefit from a structured out-of-hours arrangement through Highland Vet Emergencies, allowing you to develop emergency case management skills in a controlled environment.

The team culture here is built on collaboration and daily clinical discussion. You’ll benefit from a team-wide approach to learning—not just from your assigned clinical coach, but from the entire practice, including specialists in medicine, dentistry, dermatology, and chronic pain management. Daily ward rounds and regular vet meetings keep everyone engaged and learning together.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide small animal veterinary care across the main practice and two branch locations
• Undertake sole charge work at branch practices, with graduated independence as your skills develop
• Participate in out-of-hours emergency work via Highland Vet Emergencies to build emergency management capabilities
• Engage in daily clinical discussions, ward rounds and practice meetings
• Work collaboratively with the nursing team and support staff across all sites
• Develop clinical skills across diagnostics including digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy and in-house laboratory testing

Requirements

• Recently qualified or newly qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• UK veterinary degree or RCVS-recognised equivalent
• Full professional registration with the RCVS
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Enthusiasm for learning and professional development
• Willingness to undertake out-of-hours emergency work as part of the training programme

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary from £36,000 per annum pro-rata
• Guaranteed salary increase in year 2
• 6.6 weeks holiday plus your birthday off
• Company pension with employer contribution
• Private medical insurance
• £1,250 per year via the Care Fund (flexible wellbeing spend)
• 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 across IVC practices
• Access to IVC Evidensia’s blended learning programme and CPD opportunities
• Research Fund access for career development
• No financial tie-in

About the Practice

Crown Vets is a 12-vet, 12-nurse small animal practice with an established reputation in Inverness. The team includes specialists in medicine, dentistry, dermatology, and chronic pain management, alongside a referral surgeon at the linked referral practice. The facility is comprehensively equipped with dental radiography, endoscopy, direct digital radiography, ultrasound, in-house laboratory services (haematology, biochemistry, urinalysis), and access to CT scanning through the referral partner.

As part of IVC Evidensia (a Mars Veterinary Health company), Crown Vets operates within a supportive network that prioritises graduate development through structured mentorship, collaborative learning environments, and access to career development opportunities across the wider group.