About the Role
You'll be joining Pelyn Vets, part of the Kernow Veterinary Group, in a spacious, well-equipped practice nestled in Lostwithiel. This is a friendly environment where you'll tackle a genuinely varied caseload—from routine consultations with dogs and cats to small furries, and the occasional chicken or tortoise. The role offers flexibility with full-time options over four days per week, or part-time from 20 hours upwards, making it ideal if you value structured time off.
Your week will include a good balance of consultations and surgery, with at least one dedicated theatre day allowing you to develop cases properly. Surgical work spans routine procedures and dentals through to emergency and critical care cases, with established referral links for orthopaedics when specialist input is needed. Weekend work is shared fairly on a 1-in-12 rota (Saturday and Sunday, 8am–7pm) with sole-charge responsibility—supported by a dedicated nursing team and overnight emergency cover provided by a night vet in collaboration with a neighbouring IVC practice.
The Lostwithiel site is impressively equipped: multiple consult rooms, dedicated cat facilities, two theatres, separate wards, imaging and dental suites, and a full in-house lab. You'll have access to digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, multiparameter monitoring, and tonometry—everything you need for high-quality clinical work.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality primary care across a varied small animal caseload, working collaboratively with the wider practice team
- Manage consultations and surgical cases, with at least one dedicated theatre day per week
- Develop and maintain clinical skills while mentoring colleagues and contributing to the practice's clinical culture
- Provide weekend cover on a shared 1-in-12 rota, including inpatient care with nursing team support
- Work across nearby Kernow group sites occasionally, keeping travel as local as possible
- Engage in regular clinical meetings and maintain open communication with the team
Requirements
- Veterinary degree and RCVS registration (or eligibility to register)
- Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
- Confidence working sole-charge on weekends, though support and mentoring are always available
- Proactive approach to learning, openness to feedback, and commitment to professional development
- Reliability and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Benefits
- Flexible working: Full-time (40 hours over four days) or part-time (20+ hours) options available
- Rota: 1-in-5 late shifts (finishing 10pm), 1-in-12 weekend rota (Saturday and Sunday, 8am–7pm); overnight emergency cover provided by night vet
- Annual leave: 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
- Professional support: £1,250 annual CPD allowance; access to IVC academy training centres and role-relevant courses; mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
- Career development: Clear progression pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles; support to develop clinical interests and expand capabilities
- Financial: £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
- Membership & insurance: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered; private medical insurance; enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
- Lifestyle perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies); retail discounts and cashback offers; reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
About the Practice
Pelyn Vets is part of the Kernow Veterinary Group, a five-practice operation across the region. The main Lostwithiel site is a spacious, modern facility with multiple consult rooms, dedicated cat areas, two theatres, separate wards, imaging and dental suites, and a full in-house laboratory. The practice serves dogs, cats, and small pets with a team that includes vets, RVNs, and client care colleagues with a wide range of experience and certificate holders across several disciplines.
The practice is backed by IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC is committed to supporting career development without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to help teams grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage.
