Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

IVC Evidensia; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Londonderry seeks a skilled Veterinary Surgeon to provide first-opinion care. Enjoy a supportive environment with 7 weeks of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a CPD allowance. Join a team committed to work-life balance within a vibrant community, with opportunities for development and varied caseloads including exotic animals.

Benefits

7 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

CPD allowance of £1250

Company pension scheme

Discounted treatments for own pets

Qualifications

• Skilled Veterinary Surgeon with compassion and excellent communication.
• Ability to manage varied caseload including dogs, cats, and exotics.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-opinion veterinary care and participate in surgery.
• Utilize advanced facilities for high-quality care.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Overview

Join Our Talented Team at Whitehouse Veterinary Clinic

At Whitehouse Veterinary Clinic, we’re excited to welcome a skilled and compassionate Veterinary Surgeon to our team. Whether your strengths lie in medicine, surgery, or both, this is a brilliant opportunity to grow your career alongside a supportive and forward-thinking team. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills will help you thrive here as you build strong relationships with both colleagues and clients.

Facilities and Practice

A Modern Practice with a Personal Touch

We’re proud to be the only RCVS GP accredited clinic in Derry, offering outstanding first-opinion care across our two sites in Whitehouse and Drumahoe. Our Whitehouse practice is a converted house that’s been thoughtfully renovated into a bright, modern space with four consulting rooms, an imaging suite, prep and theatre, separate wards for cats and dogs, an isolation area, and a spacious reception with dedicated waiting areas. We’ve also invested in facilities that make day-to-day life smoother for the team, with four office spaces, a welcoming staff room, a fully equipped kitchen, and plenty of parking. To keep everyone fuelled, we offer free tea and coffee and have weekly fruit deliveries.

Facilities That Help You Deliver Your Best

Recently refurbished, our clinics are equipped to industry-leading standards, giving you the tools to provide the very best care. Our facilities include ultrasound, dental X-ray, endoscopy, IDEXX blood machines, and an orthopaedic suite with a full TTA kit. With these resources, we’re able to manage a wide variety of cases in-house, from routine surgeries and dentals to more advanced procedures such as perineal hernias, anal gland removals, and orthopaedics like TTAs and lateral sutures.

Our caseload is varied, with dogs, cats, rabbits, and some exotics such as birds and reptiles, plus the unique opportunity to care for animals at a local small zoo including raccoons, deer, wallabies, and other rare breeds. Each week, our vets enjoy a healthy balance of consults and surgical time, with at least one vet dedicated to surgery every day.

Team and Support

You’ll be joining a friendly and close-knit group of seven vets, twelve RVNs, and four support staff, including two practice managers. Our team includes certificate holders in medicine and surgery, and we’re proud to work alongside a visiting orthopaedic specialist. We’re dedicated to helping our people grow, offering full support for those interested in pursuing further certifications or clinical interests.

Beyond the practice, we genuinely enjoy spending time together, with recent team outings including completing the Derry 5k Tough Mudder! We also stay connected to the wider community, working closely with charities such as Cats Protection, PDSA, and Guide Dogs.

Work Pattern and Location

Flexibility That Works Around You

At Whitehouse, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. Supporting your work-life balance is essential, and we’re committed to offering patterns that flex with your lifestyle. For this role, the rota includes part-time hours of 28 per week, plus a half-day Saturday on a 1:3 basis. Out-of-hours cover is shared fairly, with one night every three weeks and one weekend in 18.

Life in Londonderry

Living and working in Derry offers the best of both worlds, a vibrant city steeped in history with the warmth of a close-knit community. Known for its lively arts and music scene, and award-winning restaurants, the city has plenty to explore when you’re off duty. The surrounding landscapes are breathtaking, with easy access to the Causeway Coast and Donegal’s wild beaches and mountains, making it a perfect spot for both city lovers and outdoor adventurers.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-opinion veterinary care; contribute to medicine and/or surgery as strength allows.
• Care for a varied caseload including dogs, cats, rabbits, and some exotics; participate in consults and surgical time.
• Support a team where at least one vet is dedicated to surgery every day.
• Utilize facilities such as ultrasound, dental X-ray, endoscopy, IDEXX blood machines, and orthopaedic kit to manage procedures in-house.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Veterinary Surgeon with:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with colleagues and clients.

Benefits and Salary

Because our people matter

• Work-life balance
• 7 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays pro rata
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay)
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Development: £1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
• Certificate support and learning opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Vetlexicon access and research funding options
• Care Fund and infection prevention programs
• Professional memberships (e.g., BVA, VDS cover)
• Colleague benefits, including a company pension scheme with employer contribution
• Cycle to Work and Green Cars schemes, voluntary benefits, and retailer discounts
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
• Salary: £0 - £58,000 per year (DOE FTE)