Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll be joining Darley House Vets on a 12-month fixed-term contract as a Veterinary Surgeon, working 30 hours per week with a flexible rota tailored to suit your lifestyle. Whether you need hours around other commitments or a term-time arrangement, the practice can work with you. This is a daytime role with no overnight on-call requirements—Saturday mornings are shared on a 1:3 rota, so you’ll have genuine weekends off.

Based in Farnworth, Bolton, you’ll be joining a long-established practice with over 70 years’ history and more than 50 years of collective veterinary experience on the team. The location offers excellent access to Manchester, Manchester Airport and Wigan, making it ideal if you value both career development and accessibility.

The practice is well equipped with modern facilities including X-ray, ultrasound, endoscope, cryo-pen and pending dental X-ray, giving you hands-on experience across orthopaedics, cardiology and soft tissue surgery.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing small animal veterinary care across medicine and surgery
• Contributing to surgical cases including orthopaedics, cardiology and soft tissue work
• Working collaboratively within a team of 2 experienced vets, a Clinical Director with medical interests, 5 nurses (including a head nurse with 30+ years’ service) and longstanding support staff
• Building relationships with clients and patients in the local community
• Engaging in clinical development opportunities aligned to your career interests—whether surgical or medical pathways

Requirements

• Registered as a Veterinary Surgeon with the RCVS
• Experience in small animal practice (level not specified, but the team supports vets at all career stages)
• Strong collaborative approach—clinical skills and teamwork are equally valued here

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave (pro rata), inclusive of bank holidays; additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata); certificate support; learning and development via the IVC Evidensia Academy; access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding available; £1,250 per annum via the Care Fund; Infection Prevention and Control and Quality Improvement Programmes
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees covered
• Wellbeing: Private medical insurance; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme; enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay; wellbeing initiatives
• Colleague Benefits: Company pension scheme with employer contribution; Cycle to Work and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility); voluntary benefits menu; access to discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers; discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

Darley House Vets is a traditional small animal practice established over 70 years ago in Farnworth, Bolton, known for its caring, friendly approach supported by an experienced team and modern equipment. The practice prides itself on collaborative working and community involvement—many staff members have been here 20+ years, creating a stable, supportive environment. You’ll be joining a close-knit team with a genuine family atmosphere where clients feel the same sense of care.

The practice is part of IVC Evidensia (a Mars Veterinary Health company) and benefits from corporate support for development, wellbeing and facilities whilst maintaining its independent, personal ethos. The team values diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging; as a Disability Confident Employer, the practice welcomes applications from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and will discuss reasonable adjustments during recruitment.