Veterinary Surgeon, Small Animal

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Summerhill Veterinary Centre as it moves into a brand-new, purpose-built premises in mid-April 2026. You'll be the 8th vet joining a supportive, experienced team in a welcoming market town close to the North Norfolk coast and Norfolk Broads, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from London by train.

Working standard Monday to Friday hours (08:30 to 17:30) with flexibility and scheduled days off, you'll also share a manageable out-of-hours rota: 1 in 7 weekday on-call (17:30 to 08:30) and 1 in 8 weekend duty (Saturday or Sunday, 08:30 to 08:30). The practice provides its own OOH service for registered clients only, no routine consultations.

The practice prides itself on delivering high-quality, compassionate care while maintaining genuine work-life balance. Staff wellbeing and low turnover speak volumes about the culture here. You'll actively be encouraged to develop your interests and find your niche within the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide first-opinion small animal clinical care to dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and small rodents
• Contribute to local referral work accepted by the practice
• Support veterinary nurse training as part of an RCVS-accredited practice
• Participate in out-of-hours emergency cover on the shared rota
• Develop and pursue your own clinical interests, supported by the team's expertise in surgery, medicine, emergency and critical care, imaging and ophthalmology
• Work collaboratively with 11 highly engaged veterinary nurses who run their own clinics

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a veterinary surgeon
• Experience in small animal first-opinion practice (newly qualified candidates welcome if supported by mentorship aspirations)
• Commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care
• Ability to work as part of a supportive team

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £75,000 depending on experience, plus up to £3,000 relocation allowance
• 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
• Certificate support and access to the IVC Evidensia Academy
• BVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees all covered
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Company pension scheme with employer contribution from IVC Evidensia
• Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices
• Access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia
• Research funding available to all vets
• £1,250 per annum Care Fund for each vet
• Voluntary benefits and retailer discounts
• Wellbeing initiatives and colleague support programmes

About the Practice

Summerhill Veterinary Centre has served Fakenham, Norfolk since 1993 as an RCVS-accredited first-opinion small animal practice. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia and will move into a brand-new, purpose-built facility in mid-April 2026, featuring expanded consulting rooms, hydrotherapy facilities, and separate waiting areas and kennels for dogs and cats.

The team comprises 7 vets (soon to be 8), 11 veterinary nurses, 2 veterinary care assistants, 5 receptionists and 4 administrative support staff. Strong clinical expertise is distributed across the team, with multiple certificate holders and RCVS Advanced Practitioners in surgery, medicine, emergency and critical care, imaging and ophthalmology. Veterinary nurses are highly involved clinically and run their own dedicated clinics. The practice also supports veterinary nurse training. Located close to Fakenham town centre with ample parking, the practice is well-positioned for both professional development and quality of life.