Small Animal or Mixed Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Morris and Plumley is a purposeful independent mixed practice founded in 2017 by Stuart and a fellow vet, now grown to a team of six vets, five nurses, kennel staff, receptionists and an administrator. This is a full-time permanent position with a fair rota: you’ll work 5 x 4-day weeks and 1 x 5-day week across a 6-week rolling cycle, giving you a long weekend (Friday–Monday) every six weeks. The 1:6 OOH rota includes Saturday consults (9 am–12.30 pm), but the team consistently describes it as neither busy nor onerous.

The practice sits in Alnwick, Northumberland—just 2 miles from a stunning coastline in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Consults are 20-minute appointments (longer than industry standard), allowing genuine time to build rapport with clients and patients. The caseload is predominantly small animal, with some seasonal farm work (beef and sheep), and occasional Marine Life Rescue callouts for distressed seals. Whether you’re small-animal-only or interested in picking up farm work during the day or OOH, the practice is flexible and keen to discuss what suits your interests.

This role offers complete clinical autonomy within a genuinely supportive team. New graduates and experienced vets alike are welcomed; the practice has a strong track record of developing junior vets with the perfect balance of independence and mentorship available when you need it.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver first-opinion small animal veterinary care to a mixed and appreciative client base, with scope to engage in seasonal farm work if interested
• Participate in the 1:6 out-of-hours rota, including Saturday morning consults
• Work within the practice’s clinical values: prioritising animal welfare and client care over unnecessary sales, with clinical decisions fully supported by the team
• Make use of the practice’s dental suite (with hand-held X-ray), ultrasound scanner, digital X-ray, and in-house laboratory to deliver a comprehensive range of services
• Contribute to the collaborative team culture—the practice actively organises social events, from Friday drinks to beach BBQs, rugby team sponsorship, and regular team lunches and nights out

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon registered with RCVS
• Willingness to work full-time on a permanent basis
• Interest in small animal practice; experience or enthusiasm for farm work desirable but not essential
• No specific experience level required—the practice welcomes new graduates, recently qualified vets, and experienced practitioners

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £80,000 (dependent on experience) with regular salary reviews
• Holiday: Five weeks’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by one day per year of service (up to a maximum of six weeks)
• Professional Development: Generous CPD budget; funding for RCVS, VDS, BVA, and one additional professional membership of your choice
• Wellbeing: Bring your dog to work
• Staff Benefits: Great staff discount scheme
• Visa Support: Happy to sponsor visas for eligible candidates

About the Practice

Morris and Plumley is an independent first-opinion mixed practice established in 2017 by two veterinary surgeons committed to providing high-quality care based on clinical competence, case continuity, and genuine care for patients. The practice operates from a purpose-built facility in Alnwick, Northumberland, equipped with modern diagnostics including a dedicated dental suite, ultrasound, digital radiography, and in-house laboratory. The team of six vets, five nurses, and support staff shares a client-centred ethos: there is no merchandise in the waiting room, and the focus is on delivering excellent medicine rather than maximising sales.

The location—just 2 miles from a breathtaking coastline in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—makes this an appealing base for vets seeking a better quality of life. The practice is within 30 minutes of Newcastle (with shopping, nightlife, and international airport access) and just over an hour from Edinburgh. The team is genuinely sociable, sponsoring the local rugby team, organising regular social events, and fostering a close-knit culture that reflects its independent status and shared values.