Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a three-day-per-week position at Elm Veterinary Group’s Milehouse branch in Plymouth, offering genuine flexibility for vets seeking better work-life balance. You’ll work 30 hours across Monday to Friday (8:30am–7pm), with one dedicated surgical day and the remainder split between consultations and medical investigations. Saturday mornings are consult-only and sole charge, though clinical support is always available if needed.

The role brings exposure to a diverse caseload across three sites in the city. Beyond routine procedures, you’ll encounter cases in orthopaedics and dermatology, keeping your clinical practice varied and engaging. You’ll have access to excellent diagnostic equipment including ultrasound, digital X-ray, dental X-ray, endoscopy, and laparoscopic facilities—everything you need to work cases up confidently. Importantly, there is no out-of-hours or on-call work required.

The practice welcomes both experienced vets and those looking to build their skills further. Mentorship and structured support are core to the culture, and progression opportunities into certificates and specialist interests are actively encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-standard patient and client care across a varied caseload of small animal cases
• Perform routine medical and surgical procedures with growing clinical confidence
• Contribute to one dedicated surgical day per week, managing surgical cases and post-operative care
• Conduct consultations and medical work-ups during non-surgical sessions
• Manage consult-only Saturday morning clinic as sole charge vet with available support
• Develop and share clinical knowledge with the wider team of vets, RVNs, and support staff
• Support the ongoing professional development of colleagues through positive collaboration and mentoring

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and current registration (or eligibility to register) with the RCVS
• Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective working relationships with clients and team members
• Proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and professional development
• Reliability, professionalism, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £65,000 FTE depending on experience
• Flexible three-day working week (30 hours over 3 days, with options for 20+ hours negotiable)
• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• Funded CPD allowance and access to IVC Evidensia Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Access to clinical mentors, regional coaches, and peer networks
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Clear career pathways into referral, leadership, and specialist roles

About the Practice

Elm Veterinary Group has been serving the Plymouth community for over 100 years, operating three sites across the city. The practice offers a collaborative environment with a strong team culture focused on shared learning and clinical development. The team includes certificate holders in Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) and orthopaedics, ensuring access to specialist knowledge and mentorship.

Elm Vets is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia supports career development without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams grow in confidence and capability at every career stage. The group is committed to diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging, and is a Disability Confident Employer.