Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a full-time position in small animal practice with genuine flexibility built in. You'll work a mix of consulting, surgery, and medicine in a 24-hour facility, with typically only one evening surgery per week required. The practice operates a relaxed 1 in 8 out-of-hours rota shared with two neighbouring practices, meaning you get real time off while still enjoying emergency work when you do it.

Hexham, voted Rightmove's 'Happiest Place to Live in Great Britain' in 2019 and consistently top 10 since, combines a charming historic centre with proximity to the Roman Wall, North Pennines, and Northumberland National Park. The coast and Newcastle International Airport are just an hour and 25 minutes away respectively.

The caseload reflects the local mix: rural working dogs feature heavily, alongside town pets and the RSPCA contract cases. The practice has become known as the local wildlife rescue depot. You can work your own cases or share the load with colleagues as you prefer. If you have equine interests, a completely separate Equine Unit operates on site, but there's no expectation to be involved.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide small animal veterinary care across consulting, surgery, and medicine
• Participate in the shared 1 in 8 out-of-hours rota with two partner practices
• Manage your own cases or collaborate with colleagues depending on preference
• Contribute to the practice's 24-hour care standards, including 24/7 ward and reception staffing
• Support the practice's RSPCA contract work and wildlife cases

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• Small animal experience
• Flexibility and collaborative approach to working with colleagues

Benefits

• 6 weeks annual holiday plus additional 5-7 days during the Festive Fortnight
• One Bank Holiday per year worked; the remainder are additional to annual leave
• Manageable 1 in 8 out-of-hours rota shared with two local practices
• CPD support and access to CPDActif, the practice's own training company offering active learning and leadership development in the French Alps
• Flexible working arrangements available
• Access to local referral centres near Newcastle for cases exceeding in-house capabilities

About the Practice

Scott Mitchell Veterinary Care is an independent small animal practice operating 24 hours a day with 24/7 ward and reception staffing. The practice combines emergency and routine care, holds the local RSPCA contract, and has become a refuge for local wildlife. An equine unit operates as a completely separate department on site.

The practice is part of the XLVets Community, a network of independent veterinary practices committed to staying locally controlled while benefiting from wider professional support and resources.