Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Taverham Vets; Norwich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary hospital in Norwich is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon to join their dedicated team. The role offers a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development, competitive salary, and a flexible work-life balance. Join a passionate team committed to high-quality care and community involvement.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

£1250 CPD allowance

Company pension scheme

Discounted pet treatment

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree required.
• Experience in emergency and critical care preferred.
• Strong clinical and surgical skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Consulting and treating small animals.
• Performing surgeries and emergency care.
• Collaborating with a team of veterinary professionals.

Skills

Clinical skills

Emergency care

Surgical skills

Education

Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Job description

Salary up to £65,000 DOE and up to £3,000 relocation allowance

Are you a Veterinary Surgeon looking for a new opportunity in a thriving, well-equipped hospital that supports your professional development and values your individuality? At Taverham Veterinary Hospital in Norfolk, we’re proud to offer just that. Our large, purpose-built hospital is located just outside Norwich and is dedicated to the care of small animals. As a busy and well-established site, we offer a stimulating and supportive environment where your clinical skills can flourish.

Modern Facilities, Purpose-Built for Quality Care

Our hospital is designed to provide an exceptional standard of care, with seven consultation rooms, two dental suites, two operating theatres, a dedicated procedures room, and an advanced imaging suite that includes digital x-ray and a CT scanner. We also have separate wards for hospitalised and day patients, an isolation unit, ISFM Gold cat kennels, and dedicated dog and cat waiting areas and kennels. To support our diagnostic capabilities, we’re equipped with endoscopy (both flexible and rigid), ultrasound with Doppler, dental x-ray, tonometry, a slit lamp, and a comprehensive in-house laboratory with IDEXX machines and EPOC for out-of-hours diagnostics. Our dispensary is supported by a skilled pharmacy team, and the hospital also has a comfortable staff break area and meeting space.

A Varied and Rewarding Caseload

We predominantly treat dogs and cats, but we also see our fair share of rabbits and small furries. The role offers a well-balanced split between consulting and surgery, with the structure of the week designed to support continuity of care and clinical follow-up.

We strongly encourage vets to work up cases to a high standard and try, wherever possible, to tailor your caseload to your interests and specialisms. Surgical duties range from routine procedures such as laparoscopic spays and neutering to more complex soft tissue surgeries, lump removals, and enterectomies. As the designated out-of-hours provider for 24 local practices, we also see a high volume of emergency and critical care cases, making this an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in ECC.

While the role is primarily based at our main hospital in Taverham, there may occasionally be the need to offer support at one of our two smaller branches, one in Longwater, which features a hydrotherapy treadmill and cat hotel, and another in Aylsham. Our branches are well integrated with the hospital, and we all work closely together to provide consistent and collaborative care.

You’ll be supported by an exceptional nursing team, with 42 RVNs, 4 SVNs, 6 ANAs, and 2 HVNs working collaboratively to provide high-quality inpatient care and clinical support. Our nurses are highly engaged in the practice, taking on responsibilities such as blood sampling, x-rays, pre- and post-op care, discharges, and nurse-led consults. Our wider team includes a dedicated practice manager, office manager, receptionists, and a total of 35 support staff who help the practice run smoothly.

A Practice That Gives Back

We are proud to have built strong relationships with several local and national charities. We work closely with Street Vet, IVC Evidensia’s official charity partner, and also support Greyhound Home Finders, RSPCA, and Cats Protection. Giving back to our community is something we’re truly passionate about.

Develop your career and find your people

Professional development is at the heart of what we do. With a number of certificate holders already in branch - in areas such as cardiology, diagnostic imaging, small animal medicine, feline medicine, surgery including orthopedics, ECC, and dentistry - we understand the benefits that further training brings, both to our vets and to the hospital. If you are currently working towards a certificate or are considering pursuing one, we’re more than happy to support you. We also welcome those who may wish to transfer a current certificate programme from another role. Of course, if certificates aren’t your thing, that’s perfectly fine too - we value every team member’s contribution, regardless of qualifications.

You’ll be joining a team of 32 vets in total, supported by a knowledgeable and friendly group of colleagues. Thanks to the wide range of in-house expertise, we rarely need to bring in external specialists, which means we can manage even complex cases internally, offering great continuity and learning opportunities for the whole team.

At Taverham, we genuinely believe that a happy, connected team delivers the best outcomes. We meet monthly for communication days to ensure we’re aligned and up to date, and we enjoy spending time together outside of work, from social get-togethers and nights out to running events and marathons. It’s a place where team spirit and professional development go hand in hand.

Build your career around you

We offer flexible working patterns that flex with you and your lifestyle. Whether you are looking to flex your rota hours to balance the school holidays, fix to navigate the school runs or just looking to strike that balance between home and work life. We can offer flexibility that actually works for you.

Full time is 4 days a week from 8:20am -6pm and 1 late shift approximately every 2 weeks 10:30am - 8pm. 1:4 weekends with additional day off after. Participation in OOH rota, either twilight or nights can be discussed at interview. If this is something you would be unable to do we can work around this however you will still need to complete your share of the weekend rota.

About Our Local Area

Located in the heart of Norfolk, Norwich is a vibrant and historic city that perfectly blends culture, countryside, and coast. With everything from its charming cobbled streets, shops, lively markets, and rich heritage, it’s a place full of character and community spirit. You’ll find an excellent mix of green spaces, riverside walks, and access to the stunning Norfolk Broads and nearby beaches , ideal for unwinding on your days off. Whether you’re into food, festivals, history, or outdoor adventures, Norwich offers a fantastic quality of life with something for everyone. Plus, with great transport links and a welcoming vibe, it’s a wonderful place to call home.

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

*6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays

*Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday

Wellbeing

*Private Medical Insurance

*Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline

*Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay

*Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing

Development

*£1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata

*Certificate support

*Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy

*Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider

*All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding

*All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund

*Infection Prevention and Control Programme

*Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

*BVA membership

*VDS cover

*RCVS fees

Colleague Benefits

*Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well

*Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria

*Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you

*Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

*Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice

Salary up to £65,000 DOE