Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Castle Vets Pet Healthcare Centre; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused veterinary clinic in Reading is seeking a skilled vet to join their friendly team of 9. With flexible working hours and a strong emphasis on clinical interest support, candidates will collaborate with well-trained personnel. The role emphasizes work-life balance with no out-of-hours requirements and generous benefits including CPD allowances. The ideal candidate is passionate about animal welfare and keen on professional development. Salary up to £65,000, dependent on experience.

Benefits

6.6 weeks' holiday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family-friendly leave

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

£1,250 CPD allowance

Colleague benefits including Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree required for qualified candidates.
• Must have a passion for animal health and welfare.
• Experience in a clinical setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care to a diverse range of animals.
• Collaborate with a team of vets and nurses.
• Engage in ongoing professional development.

Skills

Clinical interests

Collaboration skills

Knowledge sharing

Openness to new ideas

Education

Veterinary degree

Job description

Castle Vets is seeking a skilled vet to join our friendly team of 9 vets, where we encourage and support individual clinical interests and development.

About the Role

At Castle Vets, the right person is our priority. We welcome discussions around full-time, part-time, or flexible working hours to suit your lifestyle.

There is no sole charge; a minimum of three vets work each day, with at least two vets operating across two separate theatres, alongside dedicated dental and imaging suites.

Join our supportive team

We have a very experienced team, with six vets having over 10 years’ qualifications. Our nursing team consists of 12 nurses, nine of whom have more than 5 years’ experience, with several having worked here for over 15 years qualified.

We share knowledge and support one another daily. Approximately one-third of our staff have been with us for over 14 years, fostering a collaborative, supportive culture with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing, while also embracing fresh ideas and innovation. We also have two consult-only vets, one new graduate vet, and a variety of specific interests or skillsets within the team, so we welcome any areas of interest.

Proud to Be Part of IVC Evidensia

At IVC Evidensia, we’re driven by the passion and commitment of our people - across clinical, operational, and support teams. With over 2,500 clinics and hospitals in 20 countries and around 41,000 employees, we work together to care for around 25,000 animals every day. United by a shared purpose - Healthy Animals, Happy Owners - we’re proud to champion long‑term animal health and welfare through the dedication of every individual across our international network.

Supporting Your Interests & Development

We value and actively support vets with specific clinical interests. Within our team, we have certificate holders in ophthalmology, exotics/zoological medicine, endosurgery and small animal surgery. One of our vets is currently studying for certificates in pain management and small animal surgery. We are fortunate to have an ECVS specialist visiting one day a week to provide orthopaedic, neurological and soft‑tissue surgery support, as well as an imaging certificate holder working one day a week, who conducts ultrasounds and heart scans and also loves teaching.

Looking ahead, we plan to introduce lap spays and laser clinics in the next year to broaden our surgical offerings.

Work-Life Balance

We are passionate about promoting a healthy work‑life balance. We have a variety of working hours and schedules among our team, so we’re happy to discuss your individual preferences.

Some vets prefer longer days, while others opt for shorter shifts, so we offer full flexibility when it comes to your working pattern discussions. Our opening hours span from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays, plus Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.

We run monthly wellbeing activities and social events, from breathwork sessions to team challenges, fostering a supportive and friendly team culture.

No Out-of-Hours or Bank Holidays

Castle Vets is a VetsNow host practice, so all emergency out‑of‑hours care is managed externally, enabling our team to focus on in‑hours clinical excellence and dedicated inpatient care, rarely needing to stay late.

You Matter to Us - Your Benefits at a Glance

Work‑life Balance & Wellbeing

• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays – plus your birthday off
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave and pay
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme

Development

• £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD
• Certificate and advanced learning support & Access to Vetlexicon online resources
• World leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet

Professional Memberships

• BVA membership
• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Colleague Benefits

• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced‑cost veterinary care for your own pets

Apply today or get in touch for an informal, confidential chat.

Up to £65,000 DOE