Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly, first-opinion practice nestled in the picturesque coastal town of Gourock, Scotland. You'll work as a confident, experienced GP vet handling routine consultations, surgery, and dentistry, with occasional sole charge during holiday cover. This full-time role works 39 hours over four days (8:30am to 6:30pm), with Saturday mornings on a 1-in-4 rota. Crucially, there are no out-of-hours or overnight commitments; Vets Now Glasgow handles all emergency cover.

Your caseload will be well balanced between consulting and procedures, giving you time to build strong client relationships while enjoying diagnostic challenges. The practice prides itself on thorough case work-ups and excellent continuity of care, with a loyal client base and scope to investigate complex cases. Whether your interests lie in medicine, surgery, or general practice breadth, you'll be actively supported to develop new skills and clinical specialisms.

Flexible and part-time arrangements are actively considered for the right candidate. Life in Gourock offers breathtaking views across the River Clyde, coastal walks, and excellent rail links to Glasgow, making it ideal for those seeking a better work-life balance in a scenic Scottish setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality first-opinion veterinary care across consultation, diagnosis, and treatment
• Perform routine and soft tissue surgery, and dental procedures
• Conduct thorough case work-ups and contribute to complex case management
• Provide excellent client communication and build lasting relationships with the practice's loyal client base
• Occasionally provide sole charge cover during team holidays
• Engage in regular case discussions and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives
• Support ongoing professional development within the team and broader IVC Evidensia network

Requirements

• MRCVS registration (UK qualified veterinary surgeon)
• Confident in general practice across medicine, surgery, and dentistry
• Comfortable with occasional sole charge work
• Strong communication and client care skills
• Professional approach to continuous professional development
• Experience in first-opinion practice preferred but not essential for the right candidate

Benefits

• Salary up to £60,000 depending on experience
• 6.8 weeks' holiday per year including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual CPD allowance and funded learning through IVC Evidensia Academy
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees paid
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption, and surrogacy
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Clear career pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles

About the Practice

Shore Veterinary Centre is a modern, first-opinion small animal practice located in Gourock on Scotland's west coast. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group operating across the UK and beyond. The team is small, experienced, and genuinely collaborative, with a strong focus on high-quality care and continuous improvement. Several team members hold professional certificates: one vet in Small Animal Medicine, and nurses with qualifications in Nutrition and Anaesthesia.

The practice benefits from modern facilities including digital radiography, dental radiography, ultrasound, multi-parameter monitoring, a Bair Hugger patient warming system, and well-equipped surgical and consulting areas. There is a loyal, engaged client base and a culture that actively encourages professional development. All emergency and out-of-hours cover is provided by Vets Now Glasgow, ensuring no overnight commitments for the on-site team.