Graduate Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

This is your chance to step into practice as a newly qualified vet with real mentorship behind you. You’ll join a friendly 2 FTE vet team at Lockwood Animal Hospital in Willenhall, working 40 hours across four days per week (8:45am–6:45pm), giving you genuine work-life balance from day one. The practice is small and supportive—exactly what new graduates need—with additional RVN and support staff who are actively looking forward to helping you settle in.

The location offers good transport links to Wolverhampton and Birmingham, with nearby parks like Silver Jubilee Park for downtime, plus the Coseley train station close by. You’ll work with a team that holds certificates in Surgery, Medicine, Exotics, Emergency & Critical Care, and Imaging, so there’s plenty of learning opportunity embedded in daily practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver small animal clinical care under mentorship from experienced colleagues
• Develop practical skills across surgery, medicine, diagnostics, and emergency cases with guidance from your dedicated mentor
• Participate in clinics for nutrition, behaviour, and geriatric patients alongside the wider team
• Contribute to the practice’s use of modern diagnostic and surgical equipment (operating suite, ultrasound, radiology, endoscopy, in-house lab)
• Engage with the Graduate Academy programme and structured learning pathway tailored to your development needs

Requirements

• Newly qualified Veterinary Surgeon (or very recently graduated)
• RCVS registration (or eligible for registration)
• Genuine enthusiasm to learn and grow in a supportive environment
• No specific experience required—this role is designed for graduates stepping into their first position

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary of £36,000 per annum with a salary increase in year two
• 6.6 weeks holiday plus your birthday off
• Structured Graduate Academy mentorship programme with dedicated mentor support
• £1,250 per year Care Fund for wellbeing initiatives of your choice
• Company pension with IVC contribution
• Private medical insurance
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid professional memberships (RCVS and others)
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes
• Retail discounts and cashback
• Discounted pet care at IVC practices
• Access to CPD and research opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Research Fund
• Career development across IVC Evidensia’s global network of practices
• No financial tie-in

About the Practice

Lockwood Animal Hospital is a small animal practice in Willenhall, West Midlands, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a dedicated operating suite, recovery area, purpose-built patient accommodation, radiology, dentistry, endoscopy, electrocardiograms, pharmacy, and in-house laboratory. The practice relocated to new premises in 2005 and is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group. The team of 2 FTE vets, 3 RVNs, 2 SVNs, and support staff create a collaborative, learning-focused environment.

IVC Evidensia is a Disability Confident Employer and actively welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. The group is committed to diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging, and is happy to discuss reasonable adjustments during recruitment.