Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll be joining Town and Country Veterinary Group across their three practices in Blackburn, Clayton-le-Moors, and Whalley, delivering a mix of consultations and surgery with genuine variety in your day. This is a small animal first-opinion role where you’ll take responsibility for patient care and workup, with some sole charge work as part of your normal duties. The practice has built a reputation for preventative health and case continuity—meaning you’ll develop real, lasting relationships with clients and their pets rather than churning through one-off visits.

With no out-of-hours or bank holiday requirements, your typical week involves four full days with a weekday off, plus a 1:4 to 1:5 Saturday rota with time in lieu. The practice is genuinely flexible—whether you want fixed hours or to flex your pattern, they’ll work with you to find what suits your life right now.

Blackburn punches above its weight for location. You’re nestled between Manchester and Liverpool for city breaks, the Lake District is a short drive away for proper hiking, and there’s a solid local community with gyms, amenities, and walks on the doorstep. This is a group that genuinely puts your wellbeing first.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct small animal consultations and perform surgical procedures across the three-practice group
• Manage patient workup, diagnostics, and clinical care with appropriate support from the nursing team
• Work some sole charge sessions as part of the normal rota
• Contribute to the Saturday rota (1:4 to 1:5 frequency) on a shared basis with colleagues
• Build continuity with clients and patients through consistent, quality care
• Engage with professional development opportunities within the team

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• Experience in small animal general practice (level of experience negotiable—degree of confidence will suit)
• Comfortable with sole charge work where required
• Professional approach to client communication and clinical record keeping

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £65,000 depending on experience, plus up to £5,000 relocation allowance and up to £5,000 welcome bonus
• Leave: 6.6 weeks annual leave plus your birthday as a paid day off
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 5 days paid pro rata; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online resource; research funding available; £1,250 per annum via the Care Fund
• Wellbeing: Private medical insurance; enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental/surrogacy support); cycle to work scheme; non-accidental injury support
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Pension: 5% employee contribution, 3% employer match
• Additional Perks: Pawsome Benefits (100s of retailer discounts and cashback); discounted staff pet care
• Flexible Working: Options to adjust hours and working patterns based on your needs

About the Practice

Town and Country Veterinary Group is a first-opinion small animal practice with three established sites in Blackburn, Clayton-le-Moors, and Whalley. Equipped with ultrasound, digital radiography, and in-house blood analysis, they deliver high-standard clinical care across a cohesive multi-site operation. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK’s largest independent veterinary group.

The team is the heart of what makes this group special: five vets, a clinical director, nine nurses, a VCA, seven receptionists, and a practice manager who’ve built something genuinely stable. Staff longevity speaks volumes—some team members have been there for 30 years, others trained in-house and never left. The practice manager herself returned after leaving, such is the culture. Everyone is described as hardworking, friendly, and supportive, with a shared commitment to your professional growth. They’re Lancashire’s family-oriented practice, and they mean it.