Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This full-time veterinary surgeon position is based primarily in Barnstaple with occasional support needed at the South Molton branch. You'll enjoy a balanced workload combining consultations and surgery, with cases ranging from routine procedures through to emergency and critical care. The practice's diverse caseload—spanning small animals, farm work, and local zoo patients—means no two days are the same, and you'll have excellent scope to develop your own clinical interests alongside an orthopaedically and dentally focused team.

With a 1:5 weekend rota and on-call commitment until 7pm (after which a dedicated out-of-hours provider takes over), this role strikes a good work-life balance. Part-time applications are also considered. The practice is embedded in the North Devon community, regularly delivering fortnightly pop-up clinics in Torrington and Lynton to make veterinary care more accessible.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality primary care across a varied small animal, farm, and exotic caseload
• Perform routine medical and surgical procedures, with growing confidence in emergency and critical care cases
• Work collaboratively with a clinical team of 12 vets and 13 RVNs to support patient and client care
• Develop and follow your own clinical interests, contributing positively to the practice's clinical culture
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues, supporting the ongoing development of the wider team
• Participate in weekend rota and on-call duties (1:5) until 7pm

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and RCVS registration (or eligibility to register)
• Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• Proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and development
• Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Benefits

• Salary up to £60,000 DOE
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (subject to eligibility)
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Funded CPD and access to IVC Evidensia academy training centres
• Clear career pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles

About the Practice

Market Veterinary Centre is a modern, well-equipped practice serving North Devon with a long history of community care. The practice operates from two sites—Barnstaple and South Molton—and offers 24-hour emergency call-out and drop-in facilities for minor problems. The team comprises 12 vets and 13 RVNs, with diverse clinical interests including orthopaedics, dentistry, farm work, and exotics (certificate holder in exotics on team).

Facilities include state-of-the-art operating theatres, digital X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, dental radiography, therapeutic K-laser, in-house laboratory, multiparameter theatre monitoring, on-site pharmacy, and emergency hospitalisation. Market Vets is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group, comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting ongoing development, wellbeing, and clear career progression for all team members.