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Remote twilight on-call 18:30–21:00 weekday evenings (traditional on-call, contactable but not required to attend practice unless necessary); 1 midweek every 3 weeks; weekend rota 1:12 (once every three months) with Saturday 08:30–12:30 in-practice and remote on-call 12:30–17:00 Saturday, then full remote on-call Sunday 08:30–17:00. Occasional extra Saturday morning clinics may be required on rota needs basis.
About the Role
This is an excellent opportunity to join Leonard Brothers Vets as a small animal veterinary surgeon in the heart of Whitchurch, a charming market town with easy road and rail access to Chester, Shrewsbury, and surrounding areas. You'll work full-time or part-time on a flexible rota with shifts between 08:30–18:30 or 08:30–17:30, alongside a team of 14 vets who share the same commitment to sustainable practice.
The role offers a genuinely balanced caseload: every shift includes both consult and surgical time, with 15-minute appointments and built-in catch-up slots to prevent the usual time-pressure chaos. You'll have access to experienced clinicians, multiple certificate holders in cardiology, medicine, surgery, and emergency & critical care, and diploma holders in general anaesthesia—meaning you're never working alone clinically or administratively. This role suits solid all-rounders and those with surgical interests alike.
Out-of-hours commitments are manageable: remote twilight cover (18:30–21:00 weekday evenings on traditional on-call), one midweek every three weeks, and weekend rota at 1:12 (once every three months)—with Saturday mornings in-practice (08:30–12:30) and remote on-call for the rest of the weekend. This isn't a sole-charge role; it's collaborative from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality primary care consultations and surgical procedures in a modern, well-equipped environment
- Work collaboratively with 13 other vets, leveraging their expertise on complex or unfamiliar cases
- Participate in the rota system: weekday shifts with remote twilight OOH cover, midweek duties (1:3), and weekend shifts on a 1:12 pattern
- Provide remote on-call cover during designated evening and weekend periods
- Engage with the practice's clinical discussion and peer-learning culture (quarterly team meals with case discussions)
- Support the practice's Gold Standard Cat, Dog, and Rabbit Friendly Clinic status through excellent patient and client care
Requirements
- Qualified veterinary surgeon (UK registration)
- Experience in small animal primary care (or willingness to develop in this area)
- Ability to work collaboratively and engage with a supportive team environment
- Willingness to undertake out-of-hours duties as per rota (twilight remote on-call and weekend commitments)
- Comfortable with a mixed caseload of consultations and surgery
Benefits
- Salary & Bonuses: Up to £75,000 depending on experience, plus up to £5,000 welcome bonus and up to £5,000 relocation allowance
- Leave: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata), plus additional holiday on your birthday
- Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata); certificate support; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding opportunities; £1,250 annual Care Fund spend
- Wellbeing & Health: Private medical insurance; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme; enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay)
- Professional Memberships: BVA membership; VDS cover; RCVS fees all covered
- Pension: Company pension scheme with employer contribution
- Colleague Benefits: Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility); voluntary benefits package; discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers; discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices
- Clinical Support: Quality Improvement Programme and Infection Prevention & Control Programme to enhance your practice
About the Practice
Leonard Brothers Vets is a modern, fully equipped small animal practice located in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The practice houses 7 consult rooms, a dedicated double dental suite, 2 surgical suites, an ultrasound room, a dedicated euthanasia room, and separate dog and cat wards with dedicated waiting areas. The team includes 14 vets (predominantly part-time, reflecting flexible working culture), experienced nursing and support staff, and certificate holders in cardiology, medicine, surgery, and emergency & critical care. The practice holds Gold Standard Cat, Dog, and Rabbit Friendly Clinic accreditation and actively supports professional development through its training practice status and connections with local referral services.
As part of IVC Evidensia, one of the UK's largest independent veterinary groups, Leonard Brothers combines local ownership and culture with access to group resources, learning platforms, and career progression opportunities. The team meets quarterly for clinical discussions and social events, fostering a genuinely collaborative and supportive working environment.
Location
Whitchurch is a market town in North Shropshire with excellent road connections via the A41 and A49 to Chester, Shrewsbury, Nantwich, and Crewe, plus a local railway station. The town has a thriving independent high street with shops, restaurants, and local amenities.
