Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal FTC

Ivybank Vets, Kilwinning; Kilwinning; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Kilwinning is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Surgeon for a 12-month maternity cover contract. This role offers a mix of medical and surgical challenges, with opportunities tailored to your experience level, and a supportive environment focused on work-life balance and professional growth.

Benefits

6.8 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

CPD allowance of £1250

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to discounts/cashback with retailers

Qualifications

• Veterinary qualifications.
• Attention to detail and good interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to work across multiple branches.

Responsibilities

• Handle medical and surgical cases.
• Provide support across four branches.
• Tailor your role based on experience and preferences.

Skills

Compassionate

Dedication

Experience in veterinary practice

Job description

Find your future

At Ivybank Vets, we’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate Veterinary Surgeon to join our team on a fixed term maternity cover contract for 12 months. This role offers a mix of medical and surgical cases, providing the time and support to fully work up your cases. We’re particularly keen to find someone with experience who can help develop and expand the caseload at our West Kilbride branch, which serves a localised area that may appeal to those specifically interested in this location.

The role can be tailored to suit your experience, whether you’re early in your career and looking to consolidate your skills, or an experienced professional seeking the challenge of growing a branch’s caseload. You’ll have the option to work across any of our four branches-based in Irvine, Kilwinning, Kilmarnock, and West Kilbride-depending on your skill set and preferences.

Rota patterns that work for you

We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexibility to suit your needs. The clinic opening hours are 8:30am - 7pm, Monday to Friday with the full-time rota consists of 39 hours per week, usually spread across 4 days, with an equal share of 1 in 4 Saturday mornings (8:30am-12pm). However, we are happy to explore part-time and flexible working options. Out-of-hours care is handled by Vets Now, ensuring a balanced schedule.

Why join Ivybank Vets?

Our four clinics-based in Irvine, Kilwinning, Kilmarnock, and West Kilbride-are situated along Ayrshire’s stunning west coast, offering a mix of beautiful countryside, scenic beaches, and easy access to the vibrant city life of Glasgow. We are a well-established, client-focused practice with a dedicated team of 10 Vets, 9 RVNs, 2 SVNs, 3 ACAs, and a welcoming reception and support team. Many of our nurses have experience in referral settings or have built long-term careers in general practice, providing excellent nurse consultations and supporting both surgical and hospitalised cases.

Our clinics are well-equipped with modern facilities, including in-house laboratories, digital radiography, ultrasound (available at three of our sites), dental equipment, and more, ensuring we deliver high standards of care. We are a team of generalists with some vets with special interests - ultrasound, medicine, wildlife, ECC, who support each other to deliver the best care to our clients and their pets. With a vet studying for a certAVP (SAM) and one with a certAVP/ PgDip (VPS), we value and would actively support further qualifications or development in special interests to hone the broader skills base used daily in general practice.

Whether you're early in your career, looking to consolidate your skills, or eager to develop a branch caseload, we are here to support you. This role can be tailored to your strengths and interests, whether you prefer a mix of medicine and surgery or a consulting-only role.

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

*6.8 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

*£1250 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 our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding

*All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our 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 as well

*Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria

*Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you

*Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

*Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice

Up to £62,000 DOE