Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Inspiring Vet Care; Saltcoats; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.8 weeks holiday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family leave and pay

RCVS fees & VDS cover

Cycle to Work

Green Car scheme

Pet care discounts

Job summary

Oaks Vets is seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly small animal practice across Ayrshire’s three sites. You’ll manage a varied caseload, perform surgeries, and use diagnostics with support from a collaborative team of specialists.

The role emphasizes clinical excellence, development opportunities, and a strong work‑life balance, with a flexible pattern across our three sites.

Qualifications

• Experienced veterinary surgeon eligible to practice in the UK.
• Proven track record with first‑opinion small animal care including consultations and surgery.
• Comfortable working across multiple sites and collaborative teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high‑quality small animal care across consultations, surgery and diagnostics.
• Manage a varied first‑opinion caseload with clinical independence and support.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and certificate holders to optimise patient care.
• Build strong client relationships through clear communication and continuity of care.
• Contribute to a positive, mentoring culture and ongoing professional development.

Skills

Small animal vet

Surgical skills

Clinical excellence

Job description

Find your future with Oaks

Oaks Vets is looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and progressive small animal practice across our three well-established Ayrshire sites. This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a highly collaborative team where clinical excellence, professional development, and exceptional patient care are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll enjoy a varied first‑opinion caseload across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics while working alongside experienced colleagues with a wide range of clinical interests and certificate qualifications.

Whether you’re looking to further develop your surgical skills, pursue a certificate, or simply work within a supportive team that values work‑life balance, Oaks Vets offers the environment and flexibility to help you thrive.

Practice Highlights

• Long-established, respected three-site small animal practice across Ayrshire
• Varied first-opinion caseload with a good balance of consultations and surgery
• Experienced clinical team including multiple certificate holders in Surgery, Medicine, Nutrition, Diagnostic Imaging/Radiography and Feline Medicine
• Support for both routine procedures and more advanced medical and surgical cases
• Opportunity to learn from colleagues currently undertaking Exotic Animal certificates and explore niche clinical interests
• Recently refurbished practice facilities with modern equipment
• Friendly, collaborative team culture with a strong focus on mentoring, knowledge sharing, and clinical development
• Opportunity to work across all three practices, providing a varied and rewarding working week

About Inspiring Vet Care

Inspiring vet care is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of healthier animals and happier owners. We believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every stage of their career.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll play an important role in delivering exceptional clinical care while contributing to a supportive and collaborative team environment.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Delivering high‑quality small animal veterinary care across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics
• Managing a varied first-opinion caseload with clinical freedom and support from experienced colleagues
• Working collaboratively with certificate holders and the wider clinical team to provide the very best patient care
• Building strong relationships with clients through excellent communication and continuity of care
• Contributing to a positive team culture where learning and knowledge sharing are actively encouraged
• Developing your own clinical interests with the support of an experienced multidisciplinary team

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week (part‑time applications also welcomed)
• Typically 4 × 10‑hour days (8:30 am‑7:30 pm) with one weekday off, offering an excellent work‑life balance
• Flexible working options available, with days and hours open for discussion to suit both you and the practice
• Opportunity to work across all three practice sites
• 1 in 11 full weekends
• 1 in 11 Saturday morning shift at our Largs practice
• Saturday shifts between 8:30 am‑4:00 pm or 10:00 am‑4:00 pm, depending on the rota and site
• No out‑of‑hours responsibilities

Part‑time and job‑share applications are warmly welcomed, and we’re happy to discuss a working pattern that suits both you and the practice. Unfortunately, this role is not suitable for new graduates or vets requiring a structured graduate development programme. Please refer to our IVC Graduate Academy.

Life in Ayrshire

Based on Scotland’s beautiful west coast, Oaks Vets offers an exceptional lifestyle with stunning beaches, coastal walks, and countryside right on your doorstep. With excellent transport links to Glasgow, you’ll enjoy the perfect balance of relaxed coastal living while remaining within easy reach of one of Scotland’s most vibrant cities.

Whether you enjoy outdoor adventures, watersports, golf, or exploring picturesque villages and local cafés, Ayrshire provides an outstanding quality of life both inside and outside of work.

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

• 6.8 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 may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analysing 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.