Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Old Stone Vets is seeking an experienced small animal veterinary surgeon to join their established 5-vet team in Alston, deep in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This full-time permanent position offers a refreshing work-life balance with a 4-day week (8:30 am–6:30 pm), set days across the practice’s three branches (Alston, Stanhope, Allendale), and genuinely manageable out-of-hours commitments—just 1:4 Saturday mornings with no on-call shifts, no Sundays, and no overnight work.

You’ll be joining a practice that transitioned to small animal-only in July 2025 and is actively expanding to continue delivering exceptional care. The team shares a philosophy of giving vets time and space to maintain and develop skills across all areas of practice, with a genuine focus on case continuity and mentorship rather than targets or high-volume throughput.

Located 45 minutes from Newcastle or Carlisle, Alston sits in one of England’s most beautiful regions—perfect for those who love walking, mountain biking, trail running, and wild swimming, balanced with ready access to city amenities when you need them.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide first-opinion small animal consultations and treatment across all three branches
• Undertake surgical procedures (orthopaedics, routine and emergency surgery) as part of a balanced rota
• Participate equally in consulting and operating duties with the existing 5-vet team
• Contribute to case discussions and clinical decision-making in a collaborative environment
• Mentor junior team members and support CPD initiatives within the practice
• Work 1:4 Saturday mornings as part of the out-of-hours arrangement (no on-call or Sunday work)
• Maintain and develop orthopaedic skills with support from Karl (practice lead in this area) and ongoing training from an Advanced Practitioner in diagnostic imaging

Requirements

• Fully qualified UK veterinary surgeon with VetGDP completed
• Ideally some experience and VetGDP completed (but really looking for the right person who is enthusiastic, kind, and loves being part of a team)
• Genuine enthusiasm for small animal practice and commitment to ongoing professional development
• Kind, approachable demeanor and ability to thrive in a close-knit, collaborative team environment
• Strong clinical skills and willingness to work up cases thoroughly
• Ability to adapt to rural practice (character-building roads in winter—the practice helps with a winter tyre allowance!)

Benefits

• Salary: £40,000–£65,000 depending on experience
• Holiday: 5.6 weeks’ annual leave (including bank holidays), plus time off in lieu if required to work a bank holiday
• Professional Development: No set CPD budget—the practice actively supports your development, including certificates and courses
• Professional Fees: RCVS and VDS fees paid, plus one professional subscription of your choice
• Unique Perks: Monthly car cost contribution and generous winter tyre allowance (essential for North Pennines living)
• Health & Wellbeing: Private health insurance
• Immigration Support: Visa sponsorship available
• Pension: Pension scheme provided

About the Practice

Old Stone Vets was established in 2005 as a one-vet mixed practice and has evolved into a respected small animal-only practice with three locations across the North Pennines. The practice operates a main surgery in Alston plus consult-only branches in Stanhope and Allendale, serving a loyal, friendly client base across rural Cumbria. In July 2025, the team made a strategic decision to focus entirely on small animal services, and they’re now expanding their 5-vet team to maintain their commitment to thorough, unhurried care.

The facilities include digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, and in-house laboratory capabilities, enabling most cases to be managed in-house. The practice benefits from bi-weekly visits by Karen Errington, an Advanced Practitioner in diagnostic imaging, who assists with complex ultrasound cases and provides in-house training. The culture is collaborative and supportive, with a strong focus on clinical standards, progression, and staff wellbeing. There’s no corporate hierarchy—everyone mucks in equally, and the team values initiative, humour, and genuine care for both patients and colleagues.