Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Join a supportive, award-winning small animal practice in the heart of the Lake District’s quieter western reaches. Millcroft Vets has built a reputation for exceptional mentorship and collaborative culture—so much so that their vets tend to stay for over a decade. With a genuine 4-day week (8:30–18:30, finishing at 17:45 for last consults), you’ll enjoy a healthy mix of consulting and operating, with protected time for admin and actually leaving on time. Out-of-hours is genuinely flexible: most vets work 1 night on call every 3 weeks and 1 in 5 weekends, though the practice will negotiate something different if that suits your life better. After nights and weekends on call, you get proper rest days off.

The practice operates across six branches—the central hub in Cockermouth (24-hour emergency service) plus satellites in Workington, Keswick, Aspatria, Maryport, and Egremont. You’ll never work sole charge as a new graduate; the team eases recent qualifiers into consulting and pairs them with one of five dedicated VetGDP advisors matched to their interests and goals. With certificate holders across surgery, medicine, emergency and critical care, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, behaviour, and exotics, there’s always someone to discuss cases with or learn from.

The location is stunning: you’re based in the Lake District National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), with Wainwrights, mountain biking, fell running, water sports, and rock climbing quite literally on your doorstep. The team culture is genuinely social—dog walks, pub nights, their own wild swimming group (the ‘Blue Tits’), and regular clinical meetings over meals where challenging cases become learning opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide primary care consultations and surgical procedures across the six-branch network
• Work within a large, collaborative team of 27 vets with specialist interests you can tap into
• Contribute to out-of-hours rota (flexible, typically 1:3 nights and 1:5 weekends, negotiable)
• Engage with clinical meetings and case discussions to develop your skills and knowledge
• Support new graduates and recent VetGDP completions as the practice culture of mentorship includes peer learning
• Utilise the practice’s advanced facilities (video endoscopy, high-resolution ultrasound, Class IV laser, Tonovet, dental radiography) for in-house and second-opinion services

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Surgeon (RCVS)
• Experience in small animal practice
• Willingness to engage in the practice’s supportive, collaborative culture and flexible approach to professional development
• All experience levels welcome: few years qualified through to seasoned professionals seeking development opportunities

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000–£72,000 depending on experience
• Time off: 6.3 weeks holiday (including public holidays)
• Professional development: CPD fully funded to certificate level, with caseload to support practical certificates
• Health & wellbeing: Private health insurance (after 1 year continuous employment), flu vaccine, eye tests, Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 access to in-house counsellors, plus legal and financial support
• Professional fees: RCVS and VDS fees paid; professional membership of your choice covered
• Accommodation: Practice houses available if needed
• Perks: Discounted veterinary fees, free membership to Lifetime Care Club, cycle-to-work scheme, discounted gym membership
• Pension: Company pension scheme
• Social: Regular team events, community sponsorship involvement

About the Practice

Millcroft Vets has deep roots in Cumbria stretching back to the 1920s. It’s a fiercely independent, award-winning practice (XLVets Inspirational Teams award winner) built on values-driven care and a commitment to exceptional animal welfare. The practice spans six branches: a 24-hour emergency-equipped hub in Cockermouth plus community practices in Workington, Keswick, Aspatria, Maryport, and Egremont.

With a team of 90 (27 vets, plus RVNs and support staff), Millcroft combines excellent, purpose-built facilities with a culture where people actually want to be there. Certificate holders and specialists across multiple disciplines mean knowledge sharing is built into everyday practice. The team is active in the local community, sponsoring youth sports teams, participating in shows and agricultural events, and supporting local initiatives.