Farm Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Kernow Vets is seeking an experienced and confident Farm Veterinary Surgeon to join their welcoming team in Bodmin, Cornwall. This is a role where your clinical expertise directly protects livestock health and supports the long-term success of farming businesses across the region. Your work will involve building trusted relationships with clients while delivering reliable veterinary support that matters in the farming community.

Based in the heart of Cornwall with easy access to rolling farmland and Bodmin Moor, this full-time position runs across four 10-hour days (8:30am–6:30pm). Out-of-hours commitments are shared on a 1:4 rota, with 1:4 weekends (reducing during quieter summer months), and any unexpected additional calls are covered by time off in lieu to keep workloads fair and sustainable.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract role.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct TB testing (qualification essential), routine and preventative work, and herd health planning across a diverse client base ranging from smallholdings to large commercial units with herds up to 1,000 animals
• Provide emergency care and authorise dispensaries, working predominantly with beef and sheep, alongside some dairy, pigs and occasional alpaca
• Perform artificial insemination, predominantly in cattle, as part of routine client work
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through regular discussions and reliable on-farm support
• Work in sole charge managing on-call responsibilities for both daytime visits and emergency work, with support from a team of seven Farm Veterinary Surgeons, a dedicated TB testing team of three, ACA, vet tech and client care colleagues
• Utilise provided vehicle, mobile phone, laptop and field equipment to work efficiently in ambulatory practice, with access to stable facilities at practices when cases require it

Requirements

• TB testing qualification (essential)
• Full driving licence (essential for ambulatory work)
• Comfortable working in sole charge and managing on-call responsibilities
• Experience or confidence in farm practice preferred; proven ability to develop client relationships and deliver both routine and emergency care
• Relocation to the Bodmin area (relocation allowance up to £2,000 available)

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £65,000 DOE, plus relocation allowance up to £2,000
• Work-Life Balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata), additional holiday for your birthday, time off in lieu for emergency calls
• Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, surrogacy pay), colleague wellbeing initiatives
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata), certificate support, IVC Evidensia Academy learning opportunities, Vetlexicon access, research funding eligibility, £1,250 annual Care Fund allocation, Infection Prevention and Control Programme, Quality Improvement Programme
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, RCVS fees covered
• Pension & Perks: Company pension scheme with employer contribution, Cycle to Work scheme, Green Cars Scheme, voluntary benefits, retail discounts and cashback, discounted pet treatment at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

Kernow Veterinary Group operates Kernow Farm and Equine, a well-equipped practice based in Bodmin, South West England. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group within Mars Veterinary Health, and is committed to providing sustainable, relationship-based veterinary support to the farming community.

The farm team is structured to support collaborative practice: seven Farm Veterinary Surgeons work alongside a dedicated TB testing team of three, ACA, vet tech and client care colleagues. The practice values modern facilities, open communication and a genuine commitment to work-life balance—evidenced by time off in lieu policies and manageable rotae structures.