Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This full-time position offers a mixture of consultations and surgery across Town and Country's three sites in Blackburn, Clayton-le-Moors, and Whalley. You'll have some sole charge responsibility alongside a supportive team of five vets and a clinical director. The role includes a 1:4 or 1:5 Saturday rota with a day in lieu, but there are no out-of-hours or bank holiday commitments, making this ideal if work-life balance matters to you.

The practice is perfectly located with excellent transport links to Manchester and Liverpool, plus the Lake District just a short drive away. Blackburn offers a vibrant town centre with local amenities, fitness clubs, and wonderful walking routes.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-day consultations and surgical procedures
• Work-up and care of patients, with some sole charge duties
• Building case continuity and long-term client relationships through preventative health care focus
• Contributing to the practice's preventative clinics including weight management, dental checks, and older pet care

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS or equivalent)
• Full UK veterinary registration with the RCVS
• Experience in small animal first opinion practice preferred

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience
• Up to £5,000 relocation allowance
• Up to £5,000 welcome bonus
• 6.6 weeks annual leave plus birthday as paid day off
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• £1,250 CPD allowance with 5 days paid pro rata
• Access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning platform and Vetlexicon online resource
• Research funding opportunities available to all vets
• £1,250 Care Fund per annum for professional development
• BVA membership and RCVS fees paid
• VDS professional indemnity cover
• Pension scheme: 5% employee, 3% employer contribution
• Discounted staff pet care
• Pawsome Benefits reward gateway with retailer discounts and cashback
• Flexible working patterns available for the right candidate
• No out-of-hours or bank holiday commitments

About the Practice

Town and Country Vets is a first opinion small animal practice established 15 years ago, now part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group with over 900 practices and referral hospitals. The practice operates three sites across Lancashire and focuses on preventative health care and building long-term relationships with clients and their pets.

The team comprises five full-time and one part-time vet, one clinical director, nine nurses (both qualified and student), one VCA, seven receptionists, and a practice manager. Many team members have trained internally and stayed for years, with the longest-serving member having been at the practice for 30 years. The practice is equipped with ultrasound, digital x-ray, and in-house blood analysis facilities. The team is described as caring, approachable, hard-working, and supportive, with a strong commitment to professional development and staff wellbeing.