Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll be joining Orwell Vets as a Veterinary Surgeon in a full-time role spread across four days per week—giving you genuine work-life balance. Based primarily at the purpose-built Grange Farm hospital, you’ll also spend time at their Stutton and central Ipswich branches, ensuring variety and collaboration across all three sites. This is a role with real flexibility: the practice welcomes part-time applications too.

The rotation includes Saturday mornings only (8am–12:30pm, one in five), with absolutely no out-of-hours or evening work. You’ll enjoy a diverse caseload spanning general medicine, dentistry, orthopaedics, soft tissue and laparoscopic surgery, imaging, and occasional emergency cases—all supported by modern equipment and a genuinely collaborative team.

Located in Ipswich, you’ll be working in a town that blends historic charm with riverside scenery, excellent transport links to London and Cambridge, and easy access to the Suffolk countryside and coast.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality clinical care across consulting and surgical work, with a good balance of both throughout your week
• Work across three practice sites (Grange Farm, Stutton, and central Ipswich), building relationships with colleagues and clients across the group
• Manage a varied caseload including routine operations, dentistry, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, imaging, medicine, laparoscopic procedures, and occasional emergency cases
• Contribute to the team’s strong referral relationships with local practices and specialists, with support for both referrals in and out
• Pursue your clinical interests with full support—whether exploring new qualifications or developing existing expertise

Requirements

• Registered as a Veterinary Surgeon with the RCVS
• Confident and motivated, with a collaborative approach to practice
• Driving licence preferred but not essential (given multi-site work)
• Willingness to work occasional Saturday mornings (one in five)

Benefits

• Financial: Salary up to £75,000 pro rata DOE plus up to £5,000 Welcome Bonus (paid in first salary), up to £8,000 relocation allowance, 20% of annual salary as Elevate bonus at month 6, and 10% at month 12
• Leave & Wellbeing: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off; private medical insurance; enhanced family-friendly leave and pay; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD per year; full support for Certificate and advanced learning; access to IVC Evidensia Training Centres and Vetlexicon online resources; £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees all covered
• Colleague Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies); retail discounts and cashback offers; reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Relocation Support: Paid leave for moving (up to three days) plus concierge support with the relocation process

About the Practice

Orwell Vets is an established practice with over 50 years of reputation for excellence in the Ipswich area. They hold an IPC Silver Award for infection prevention and are deeply invested in maintaining the highest clinical standards. The practice is currently undergoing a major renovation to their purpose-built hospital, expanding facilities and adding a brand-new consult room—a sign of their forward-thinking commitment to modern veterinary care.

The team comprises 6 Vets, 8 RVNs, and 9 Client Care Team members (VCAs, Insurance Admin, Admin, and Practice Manager), many of whom have been with the practice for years. Certificate holders include expertise in Dentistry, Surgery, Medicine, Imaging, and ECC across the vet team, with RVNs holding qualifications in Dentistry, ECC, Medicine, and Behaviour. The practice also works with a visiting orthopaedic specialist and is genuinely invested in team development. Current facilities include three consult rooms (one dedicated RVN consult), a large prep area, two theatres, dental suite, digital X-ray with dental capability, ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopic equipment, in-house lab, separate dog kennels, cattery, isolation areas, a spacious staff room with tea, coffee, cold drinks, and biscuits—plus ample parking and quiet office space. The practice serves dogs, cats, and small furries with a strong community spirit, supporting Guide Dogs and local wildlife charities, and actively engaging with local schools and events.