Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a consulting-focused position based primarily at the Burnley branch, where you’ll centre your day on client interaction, clinical decision-making, and high-quality first-opinion care. If you’d like to maintain your surgical skills, routine procedures can be incorporated into your schedule. The role is permanent and full-time, but the practice is genuinely open to flexible working arrangements, including part-time options—discuss what suits your lifestyle.

You’ll be working in the heart of East Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, where picturesque villages and countryside blend seamlessly with vibrant towns like Skipton and Clitheroe. The Pennines are on your doorstep for weekend adventures, and Manchester and Leeds are easily accessible for city amenities. This is ideal terrain for those seeking genuine work-life balance.

Best of all: there’s no out-of-hours requirement. The practice operates its own dedicated OOH service at the Colne branch, so you can focus on consulting while maintaining continuity of care for patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead consultations with a strong focus on client communication and clinical reasoning
• Deliver first-opinion small animal care across the Burnley consulting and operating branch
• Incorporate routine surgical procedures if desired to maintain procedural confidence
• Collaborate with a team of experienced vets (including certificate holders in medicine, dentistry, and ECC) and highly trained RVNs
• Support the practice’s commitment to excellent medicine and positive client relationships

Requirements

• Ideally, completion of VetGDP with confidence in routine consultation
• Excellent client care and communication skills
• Enthusiasm for CPD and continuous learning within a supportive team environment
• MRCVS registration

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000–£65,000 per annum
• Flexible Working: Tailor your hours and explore part-time options
• No Out-of-Hours: Dedicated OOH service at Colne branch means your evenings and nights are yours
• CPD & Development: Generous CPD allowance with paid CPD days; access to specialist support in ultrasonography and cardiology
• Holiday: 6.6 weeks’ holiday (pro rata)
• Professional Support: RCVS membership, VDS cover, and professional subscriptions/memberships included
• Wellbeing: Mental health first aiders, wellbeing champions, and a culture that prioritises work-life balance
• Perks: Corporate gym membership, Cycle to Work scheme, optional private medical insurance, and regular team social events
• Additional Leave: Volunteer leave available

About the Practice

Stanley House Veterinary Group is a well-established, RCVS-accredited practice serving East Lancashire’s small animal community across three locations: the main hospital in Colne (equipped with digital x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, two surgical theatres, dental suite with x-ray, in-house lab, and separate canine/feline wards), a consulting and operating branch in Burnley (with in-house lab, three consulting rooms, surgical theatre, and patient kennels), and a consulting branch in Barnoldswick. The practice operates its own dedicated OOH service, ensuring continuity of care.

The team comprises around 65 people working collaboratively across the branches. The culture is knowingly friendly and supportive—clients frequently comment that they can feel the team’s genuine passion for their work. The practice is part of the VetPartners family, an employer recognised for supporting and developing every team member. VetPartners won Employer of the Year at the Press BusinessIQ Awards.