About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to combine clinical excellence with meaningful leadership at New Street Vets, a busy small animal practice nestled in the charming market town of Honiton. You'll be the senior veterinary clinician, guiding an experienced team of vets, RVNs, and practice management whilst staying actively involved in clinical work. The role strikes a genuine balance between consultations and surgery, with flexibility to shift focus towards surgical work if that's your preference.
The caseload is pleasantly varied—dogs, cats, rabbits, small furries, occasional chickens, and local wildlife—with routine and dental procedures forming the backbone of the workload. You'll also handle some emergency and critical care cases, with space to develop your own clinical interests. Working across a typical 40-hour week spread over four or five days, with a manageable 1:4 Saturday morning rota (9am–1pm), you'll enjoy genuine time away from the practice with no out-of-hours on-call requirements.
Based in a characterful converted house close to the high street, the practice has a welcoming community feel and is due for refurbishment. Facilities include dedicated consultation rooms, a dental X-ray suite, in-house laboratory, and newly installed ultrasound equipment—everything needed to deliver high-quality, modern care.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clinical leadership to the veterinary team, setting and upholding clinical standards and governance within the practice
- Oversee complex cases and act as the primary source of clinical guidance and decision-making
- Mentor, coach, and support veterinary colleagues to develop their skills and confidence
- Conduct and contribute to clinical audits, governance reviews, and quality improvement initiatives
- Manage clinical complaints professionally and provide expert guidance in complex clinical situations
- Work alongside the senior practice leadership team to drive strategic direction and continuous improvement in clinical outcomes
- Deliver hands-on clinical care including consultations, surgery, and emergency cases
Requirements
- Veterinary degree and current RCVS registration
- Significant experience in small animal or mixed animal practice with advanced surgical and medical capability
- Proven track record mentoring and supporting veterinary colleagues
- Strong leadership, communication, and clinical decision-making skills
- Experience with clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement initiatives (or demonstrated ability to contribute meaningfully to these)
- Ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance in complex situations
- Commitment to the highest standards of patient and client care, with integrity and professionalism
Benefits
- Flexible working: Full-time (40 hours over 4–5 days) or part-time (minimum 30 hours per week) considered
- Work-life balance: 1:4 Saturday morning rota only (9am–1pm); no out-of-hours or on-call requirements
- Learning & development: £1,250 annual CPD allowance, access to IVC Evidensia Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
- Career support: Clear progression pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles; access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
- Financial support: £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
- Holiday: 6.6 weeks' annual leave including bank holidays
- Health & wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
- Professional memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered by the practice
- Additional perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (where eligible), retail discounts and cashback offers, reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
About the Practice
New Street Vets is a busy, well-established small animal practice based at 62 New Street in Honiton, Devon. The practice treats dogs, cats, small pets, and is rabbit and exotic-friendly, serving the local community from a characterful converted house setting. Recent investment in facilities—including ultrasound and dental imaging—reflects the practice's commitment to modern, high-quality care.
The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group, comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals united by a shared purpose of happier animals and happier owners. IVC Evidensia is committed to building careers without limits, supporting team members through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing so they can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage.
