Veterinary Surgeon, Small Animal

About the Role

This is a full-time permanent role at a well-established first opinion small animal practice. Your week will split between consultation days and surgery days, with the opportunity to build your own caseload. Minimal sole charge work means you'll have experienced colleagues to support you. There is no out-of-hours requirement. Most vets work four days per week, with flexible shift patterns between 8am and 7:30pm, plus a 1:4 weekend rota with time off in lieu during the week. Weekend and evening duties are genuinely shared across the team.

Burnley offers a welcoming community atmosphere with excellent regeneration investment, strong transport links to Manchester and Liverpool, and easy access to the Lake District and Peak District for outdoor enthusiasts. The practice itself is undergoing extensive refurbishment, with new consulting rooms, prep area, waiting area and facilities coming in the coming months.

Key Responsibilities

• Consultation work with small animal patients across five consulting rooms
• Surgical procedures in one of three dedicated theatres (orthopaedics and soft tissue)
• Building continuity of care with your own clients and patients
• Contributing to the 1:6/7 inpatient nurse-led rota (answering veterinary questions as needed, not clinical overnight work)
• Developing specialist interests, particularly in feline medicine if desired
• Participating in quality improvement and infection prevention initiatives

Requirements

• RCVS registered veterinary surgeon
• Experience working in small animal practice
• Willingness to engage with continuing professional development
• A collaborative approach to team working and client communication

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience, plus a welcome bonus of up to £5,000
• 6.6 weeks annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional holiday for your birthday
• £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave per annum (pro rata)
• Certificate support and funding for professional development
• Private medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme (24/7 confidential helpline)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
• BVA membership and RCVS fees covered
• VDS cover
• Company pension scheme with employer contribution via IVC Evidensia
• Cycle to work and green cars scheme
• Access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia
• Access to research funding opportunities
• £1,250 per annum care fund for personal use
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices
• Access to voluntary benefits and retail discounts
• Wellbeing initiatives and learning opportunities via the Academy

About the Practice

Oakmount Veterinary Centre is Burnley's original veterinary practice, established with a James Herriot philosophy of caring for all creatures. Originally mixed animal, the practice transitioned to exclusive small animal care in 1998 and relocated to larger premises on Trafalgar Street in 2001. The practice is part of inspiring vet care, the UK's number one vet care provider, trusted with the care of over 2 million animals nationwide.

The team comprises seven vets including a clinical director, a practice director, 10 RVNs, 3 SVNs, 2 VCAs, and six support staff members. The practice is an SVN training centre. Three team members hold certificates in surgery, ophthalmology, and exotic animal medicine and surgery. The practice is equipped with five consulting rooms, three theatres, digital X-ray with vertical and horizontal beams, dental X-ray, ultrasound, in-house blood machines, and all standard equipment. A major refurbishment programme is underway across the building.