Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Inspiring Vet Care; Antrim; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

6.6 weeks’ holiday

Cycle to Work

Reduced-cost veterinary care for your‑

Job summary

Hollygate Veterinary Clinic in Belfast is seeking a confident Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our established team. This role offers clinical autonomy with support from Clinical Directors and a network of experienced colleagues, while maintaining close client relationships and ongoing patient care.

The position is available as full-time or part-time with flexible hours, and provides real ownership of cases within a collaborative practice culture.

Qualifications

• RCVS registered veterinary surgeon required.
• Able to manage a varied first‑opinion caseload with independence.
• Strong client communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality GP veterinary care with clinical autonomy.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and patients from presentation to resolution.
• Own and progress cases, develop treatment plans and ensure continuity of care.

Skills

RCVS registered

First opinion caseload

Clinical independence

Education

BVMS/BVS or equivalent

Tools

Ultrasound

Dental radiography

Job description

Salary £60,000-£63,000 DOE (FTE)

Hollygate Veterinary Clinic | Belfast

Full-time or Part-time | Permanent

Salary £60,000-£63,000 DOE (FTE)

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.
If you're looking for a role where you'll be trusted to make clinical decisions, build lasting relationships with clients, and genuinely influence the future of a practice, Hollygate Veterinary Clinic could be exactly what you're looking for.
We're seeking a confident Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our established Belfast team. This is an opportunity for a capable GP vet who enjoys clinical independence but still values having experienced colleagues around them. While much of the role involves sole charge, you'll be supported by actively involved Clinical Directors and a wider network of experienced veterinary colleagues who are always available when needed.
This position comes with real ownership. We have a loyal and dedicated client base who place enormous trust in the team, and we're looking for someone who enjoys seeing cases through from start to finish. Success here isn't about being handed straightforward procedures or a ready-made caseload. It's about building relationships, recognising opportunities to progress cases, creating treatment plans, and delivering excellent continuity of care for your patients.

About Hollygate Veterinary Clinic

Hollygate is a small but busy practice with an excellent reputation and exciting potential for future growth. While we're proud of the service we already provide, we're equally excited about where we can go next.
At Hollygate, you'll be joining a team that genuinely enjoys working together. We have an experienced, capable nursing team and a dedicated reception team who take enormous pride in the standard of care they provide. Everyone understands their role, works hard for each other, and shares the same goal of delivering an exceptional experience for both clients and patients.
There's a real sense of togetherness within the clinic. Whether it's managing a busy day, working through a challenging case, or supporting one another during periods of change, people step up and work collaboratively. It's a supportive, respectful environment where everyone's contribution is valued and where you're encouraged to share ideas, ask questions and be yourself.
While this role offers a high degree of clinical autonomy, you'll never feel like you're carrying the responsibility alone. The wider team is invested in helping each other succeed, and our Clinical Directors remain actively involved in the practice, providing regular support, guidance and mentorship. As a result, you'll have the freedom to practice your way while still benefiting from the backing of a close-knit and experienced team.

Shape the Clinic Around Your Interests

This role offers a level of clinical autonomy that can be difficult to find elsewhere. Whether your interests lie in dentistry, ophthalmology, surgery, diagnostic imaging or another area entirely, we want to help you develop them.
We're excited by the idea of bringing someone into the team who wants to grow services, enhance the client offering and help shape the future direction of the clinic. If you've ever wanted the freedom to influence how a practice develops without the pressures of ownership, this is a fantastic opportunity to do exactly that.

Facilities & Equipment

We're well equipped to support high-quality clinical work, with facilities including a brand-new digital radiography system, ultrasound, dental radiography, slit lamp, operating microscope, and a comprehensive in-house laboratory and diagnostic suite.
We're committed to providing our team with the tools they need to deliver excellent patient care and pursue their clinical interests.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for an RCVS registered veterinary surgeon who is confident in their clinical ability and comfortable managing a varied first-opinion caseload with a good degree of independence. You'll enjoy taking ownership of cases, building relationships with clients, and following patients through from initial presentation to resolution.
Just as importantly, we're looking for someone who will become an integral part of the team. You'll be approachable, friendly and collaborative, someone who enjoys sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues and contributing positively to the culture we've worked hard to create. This is a role for a vet who values teamwork as much as clinical excellence and who is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of a growing practice.

Working Pattern

We're flexible when it comes to working hours and are happy to consider both part-time and full-time applicants.
Part-time hours can be offered from 20 hours per week, while full-time hours are up to 40 hours per week.
There is a shared 1 in 3 Saturday rota, helping to ensure a fair balance across the team. The day-to-day workload is largely sole charge, although there are regular overlaps between clinicians during the latter part of the morning and afternoons. Our Clinical Directors remain actively involved in the practice and provide regular in-person support.

Support & Development

This vacancy has arisen as an experienced Veterinary Surgeon progresses into a Clinical Director role within the wider group. As a result, she is personally invested in finding and supporting her successor, creating a unique opportunity for a thorough handover and smooth transition into the practice.
We're ideally looking for someone who can join us as soon as possible. September or October would be particularly beneficial from an induction perspective, although we're flexible for the right candidate and would welcome applications from those available later in the year, up to December 2026.

How We’ll Support You

• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

£60,000-£63,000 DOE