Veterinary Surgeon – Large Animal / Mixed

About the Role

This is a hands-on farm veterinary position based at Glenshane Veterinary Clinic in Maghera, Northern Ireland, serving a loyal farming community across beef, sheep, and dairy operations. You’ll spend your time out on the road managing routine and emergency farm work, herd health support, and advisory services—with the autonomy to run your own cases and experienced colleagues to lean on when you need them.

For vets who want to keep their skills sharp across species, there’s flexibility to include small animal consults and procedures within the clinic. The balance between farm and companion animal work can be tailored to suit your experience and interests. You’ll work a standard 40-hour week with 1 night on call per week and 1 weekend in 4, followed by time off in lieu—designed to be fair and sustainable.

A full, valid UK driving licence is essential, as daily travel between farms and clinic sites is core to the role. This position is not suitable for new graduates; you’ll need confidence working independently on farm calls and a genuine enjoyment of long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage routine and emergency farm calls across beef, sheep, and dairy clients, from large commercial units to smaller family-run farms
• Provide herd health support and advisory services to build sustainable client relationships
• Work independently on farm while maintaining communication with the wider team
• Contribute to small animal consults and procedures if desired, balancing large and small animal caseload
• Utilise practice equipment including EasyScan, cattle crush and stocks, small ruminant operating table, IDEXX lab station, digital X-ray, and small animal ultrasound
• Travel between three practice locations and farm sites across the region

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with proven experience in farm or large animal practice
• Confident working independently on farm calls
• Strong relationship-building skills with farming clients
• Full, valid UK (Northern Ireland) driving licence
• Seeking a permanent, long-term role within a supportive team
• Not suitable for newly qualified graduates
• Visa sponsorship can be considered for suitably experienced overseas candidates

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £65,000 depending on experience
• Relocation & Welcome: Relocation allowance and welcome bonus available
• Leave: 7 weeks annual leave plus additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata), certificate support, learning and development via IVC Evidensia Academy, access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, research funding opportunities, and infection prevention/quality improvement programmes
• Professional Memberships: VDS cover, RCVS fees, and AVSPNI/NIVA covered
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay), cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership, and non-accidental injury support
• Pension: 5% employee contribution with 3% employer contribution
• Additional Perks: Practice vehicle provided, discounted staff pet care, Pawsome Benefits reward gateway with discounts and cashback at 100+ retailers

About the Practice

Glenshane Veterinary Clinic is an established three-branch mixed practice based at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains in Maghera, Northern Ireland. The practice serves a loyal and varied farming community with a strong client base of beef, sheep, and dairy operations, making the work rewarding and genuinely interesting. The team includes experienced vets, nurses, and support staff who value teamwork, communication, and a realistic approach to workload.

The practice has invested in modern equipment and facilities to allow vets to work efficiently and confidently, including EasyScan ultrasound, cattle crush and stocks, small ruminant operating table, IDEXX laboratory station, digital radiography, small animal ultrasound, and contemporary practice management systems. A practice vehicle is provided for all farm visits, and the clinic also welcomes companion animal, equine, and exotic cases, offering a genuinely mixed environment for those interested.