Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a permanent position offering genuine flexibility in how you structure your working week. Whether you’re passionate about feline medicine or prefer a varied small animal caseload, Lime Trees has tailored roles for both. You’ll work a 40-hour week typically spread across 4 days, plus a shared 2:10 Saturday rota at the main hospital.

If you’re relocating to the area, the practice offers up to £5,000 relocation support. The role encompasses consultations, medical investigations, and surgery across two beautifully equipped facilities in Stoke-on-Trent’s accessible Staffordshire Moorlands—perfect for those wanting proximity to the Peak District alongside city-centre links to Manchester.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive first opinion and referral care across consultations, diagnostics, and surgical procedures
• Work at either Lime Trees Veterinary Hospital (multi-disciplinary, first opinion and referral) or Lime Trees Cat Clinic (dedicated feline-focused practice) depending on your speciality interest
• Contribute to a team environment where Advanced Practitioners lead specialist services in internal medicine, soft tissue, orthopaedics, dermatology, and emergency and critical care
• Participate in clinical governance, quality improvement initiatives, and infection prevention programmes
• Support colleague development and maintain high standards of patient and client care

Requirements

• Registered with the RCVS as a veterinary surgeon
• Passion for delivering excellent patient and client care
• Experience in small animal medicine and surgery (no minimum years specified, but experience level negotiable)
• Willingness to participate in a shared Saturday rota (2:10)

Benefits

• Salary & Relocation: Up to £65,000 depending on experience, plus £5,000 relocation allowance
• Work-Life Balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave (including bank holidays) plus additional birthday holiday entitlement; flexible working patterns supported
• 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 annual CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata); certificate support; IVC Evidensia Academy learning opportunities; Vetlexicon online access; research funding eligibility; £1,250 annual Care Fund allocation per vet
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Pension & Perks: Company pension scheme with employer contribution; Cycle to Work and Green Cars Scheme; voluntary benefits package; retail discounts and cashback; discounted treatment at IVC Evidensia practices for your own pets

About the Practice

Lime Trees Veterinary Hospital operates two complementary facilities in Stoke-on-Trent. The main hospital at Meir Park is a first opinion and referral centre recently refurbished with modern infrastructure: six consultation rooms, on-site CT scanner, and specialist advanced practitioner services. The dedicated Lime Trees Cat Clinic, opened in 2021 and located 10 minutes away, is an ISFM Gold-accredited, cat-focused practice designed entirely with feline patients in mind—featuring CR X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, dental suite, K-Laser, and full laboratory. All consultations at the Cat Clinic run a minimum of 20 minutes. Out-of-hours emergency care is provided by Vets Now, ensuring 24-hour inpatient cover.

The practice is part of IVC Evidensia (Mars Veterinary Health), combining independent clinical vision with corporate support. Staff testimonials highlight a deeply supportive culture, access to expert clinicians across specialisms, top-range equipment, and genuine investment in colleague wellbeing and development.