Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This full-time small animal veterinary surgeon position is based primarily at Market Veterinary Centre in Barnstaple, with occasional support at the South Molton branch. You'll experience a rare and rewarding blend of routine consultations, surgery, emergency and critical care cases. What sets this role apart is the practice's diverse caseload: while focused on small animals, you'll also have exposure to farm work and local zoo patients, giving you genuine breadth of clinical experience rarely found in dedicated small animal practices.

The role includes a shared weekend rota with an on-call commitment until 7pm on a 1 in 5 basis, after which a dedicated out-of-hours provider takes over. You'll work 40 hours per week over 4 or 5 days, with flexibility available for part-time arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality consultations and surgical procedures across a varied small animal, farm, and exotic caseload
• Manage routine medical and surgical cases with growing confidence and independence
• Contribute to emergency and critical care provision as part of the rota
• Support the practice's fortnightly outreach clinics in Torrington and Lynton, improving veterinary access across North Devon
• Share knowledge and learning with colleagues, including the practice's certificate holders in exotics and those with interests in orthopaedics, dentistry, and farm animal medicine
• Work collaboratively with 12 vets and 13 RVNs to maintain high standards of patient and client care

Requirements

• Veterinary degree with RCVS registration or eligibility to register
• Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• Proactive approach to learning, openness to feedback and development
• Professionalism and reliability, able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Passion for delivering excellent patient and client care

Benefits

• Salary up to £60,000 DOE, plus welcome bonus up to £5,000 and relocation allowance up to £5,000
• 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• Funded CPD allowance and access to IVC Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles

About the Practice

Market Veterinary Centre is a two-site practice based in Barnstaple, Devon, part of IVC Evidensia, the UK's number one veterinary care provider. The practice is well-equipped with comprehensive modern facilities including an in-house laboratory, digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, dental radiography, therapeutic K-laser, and multiparameter anaesthetic monitoring.

The team comprises 12 vets and 13 RVNs, supported by an experienced client care team and Practice Director. There is a strong culture of learning and knowledge-sharing, with colleagues holding certificates in exotics and possessing diverse interests spanning orthopaedics, dentistry, and farm animal medicine. Community involvement is key: the practice runs fortnightly outreach clinics in Torrington and Lynton to improve access to veterinary care across North Devon.