Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Inspiring Vet Care; Chipping Norton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Care Fund £1,250 annually (pro rata)

Private medical insurance

Holiday entitlement 6.6 weeks (pro R)

RCVS fees/ VDS cover

Job summary

IVC Evidensia’s Chipping Norton Vet Hospital is seeking an experienced small animal veterinary surgeon with a passion for ECC to join our team. The role covers 20 hours per week, mainly Saturdays and Sundays (08:00–19:00), with a substantial amount of sole-charge out-of-hours support for inpatients and emergencies.

We offer a purpose-built hospital with advanced equipment as part of the UK’s leading vet care provider, a collaborative team of 14 veterinarians, and extensive development

Qualifications

• RPCS registration with the RCVS is required.
• Experience in small animal practice with ECC exposure is preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care for small animals during ECC coverage.
• Support inpatients and manage emergencies during weekend shifts.
• Work 20 hours per week with Saturday and Sunday hours (08:00–19:00).

Skills

RCVS registration

Small animal surgery

Emergency & Critical Care

Team collaboration

Education

Veterinary degree

Job description

Permanent VS at Chipping Norton Vet Hospital

Up to £68,000 (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.

We're looking for an enthusiastic experienced small animal veterinary surgeon with a passion for ECC to join our fantastic team in our purpose-built, excellently equipped hospital on the edge of a lovely Cotswold market town. For this particular role, we're looking for someone to cover 20 hours per week, working Saturdays & Sundays (08:00 - 19:00). Please note that a large portion of these shifts will be sole charge out of hours. You'll be supporting inpatients and dealing with any emergencies that come in.

About Us

Our RCVS-accredited tier 3 Veterinary hospital is growing, so we are looking for an enthusiastic experienced small animal veterinary surgeon with certificate or equivalent surgical experience to join our fantastic team of 14 Veterinary Surgeons, 20 Registered Veterinary Nurses, 3 Student Registered Nurses, 6 Animal Nursing Assistants in our purpose-built, excellently equipped hospital on the edge of a lovely Cotswold market town. Among our Vets are a Specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine, and Advanced Practitioners in Small Animal Medicine and ECC. Plus, we have regular visits from a referral dermatologist and Veterinary Specialist Surgeon. We receive referrals nationally for exotic pets and for radioiodine therapy of hyperthyroid cats and locally for outpatient CT scanning, and for some internal medicine and orthopaedic-surgery cases. We have all the kit that you’d come to expect of a modern practice with: full lab facilities, a DR x-ray system, dental x-ray, 64-slice CT scanner, a wide range of flexible and rigid endoscopes, ultrasound scanner with colour Doppler, full orthopaedic kit, slit lamp, tonometer, etc.

Here’s What The Team Have To Say

"Working at Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital is an incredibly rewarding experience. The team is supportive and collaborative, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to contribute. There is a strong sense of camaraderie across all roles, and colleagues are always willing to share knowledge, discuss cases, and offer guidance when needed" – Katie, Head RVN

A lovely place to live & work

Living in Chipping Norton offers the benefits of a peaceful market-town lifestyle while still providing good access to larger towns and cities. The town has attractive countryside nearby, a strong sense of community, local shops and amenities, and a range of schools and leisure activities. Its location in the Cotswolds also makes it an appealing place for people who enjoy beautiful surroundings and outdoor activities, while transport links make commuting to places such as Oxford relatively convenient.

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You Are a Confident And Motivated Veterinary Surgeon Who Enjoys Working As Part Of a Team And Is Committed To Delivering High-quality Patient And Client Care. You’ll Bring

• A Veterinary degree and registration (or eligibility to register) with the RCVS
• Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• A proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and development
• Professionalism, reliability, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A passion for delivering excellent patient and client care

How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• 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 (pro rata)
• 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 (pro rata)
• 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.

£0 - £0 a year

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.