Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

IVC Evidensia; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Cheltenham is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon to lead their Rissington branch. This role involves shaping the branch's future, developing staff, and ensuring exceptional client care. With a competitive salary of up to £75,000 and a wide range of employee benefits including a £1,250 CPD allowance, this position supports both full-time and part-time applications. The clinic offers a collaborative environment with advanced veterinary equipment and a dedicated team.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

£1,250 CPD allowance

Company pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Surgeon with a degree in veterinary medicine.
• Experience in a clinical setting leading a team.
• Ability to provide excellent client and patient care.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Rissington branch and shape the future direction.
• Develop staff and support senior management.
• Deliver excellent care to a large client base.

Skills

Veterinary medicine expertise

Client care skills

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Tools

Specialist veterinary equipment

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic Veterinary Surgeon to join our Rissington site as a branch lead. The role will require you to help shape the future of the branch, develop staff, and support senior management to ensure the site thrives while delivering excellent client and patient care to our large client base. The position is based primarily at Rissington, with three days per week there and one day at another site. Up to £5,000 relocation support is available.

Work Schedule

Takes a flexible rota that works for you. A typical full‑time role involves 37 hours per week over four days, working Saturday mornings in a 1:4 rotation. No out‑of‑hours or on‑call duties are required. Both part‑time and full‑time applications are welcomed.

About the Practice

Dragon Vets is located in the heart of Cheltenham, renowned for horse racing and a vibrant bar/restaurant scene. We have invested in specialist equipment – including CT, DR, endoscopy, Doppler ultrasound, laparoscopic and TPLO kits – and provide well‑equipped operating facilities. The team of 16 vets, including advanced practitioners in small animal surgery, cardiology and medicine, delivers evidence‑based care and often performs complex surgeries and intensive medical cases. We have a 24‑hour on‑call service through our separate out‑of‑hours team, Vets Now, and a nursing team of 17 RVNS and 4 SVNs.

Team Feedback

I started at Dragon Vets nine years ago as an ACA. After leaving to go to vet school, I was welcomed back into the team as a new graduate vet in 2023. Dragon has given me a supportive and exciting start to my career, and I enjoy working with all the team and am proud to be a part of it. – Sofia, vet.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• 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:
  • £1,250 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 vets & nurses can apply for research funding
  • All vets receive £1,250 per annum for the 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
  • Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
  • Voluntary benefits – choose from a range of options to suit you
  • Access to discounts and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
  • Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice

Salary

Competitive base salary up to £75,000 (DOE).