Autonomous Small Animal Vet — Varied Cases & Support

Inspiring Vet Care; Ballyshannon; On-site; EUR 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to Work

EAP and Wellbeing Centre

22 days Annual Leave

Birthday leave

Maternity & Paternity Leave

Pension Contributions

Free Flu Inoculations

Discounted Veterinary Fees

Career Progression Opportunities

VCI membership paid

VDS cover paid

Annual Pay Reviews

CARE fund for cases

Pawesome Benefits

Job summary

Old Church Vets in Co Donegal is seeking an experienced small animal vet to join a progressive practice where case ownership and collaborative support go hand in hand. You will manage a varied caseload, including consulting and surgical work, with autonomy at times and strong team backing.

The role offers a structured rota, a strong community presence since 1954, and facilities supporting high‑quality in‑house care. Earn up to €70,000 DOE with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experienced small animal vet with ownership of cases.
• Comfortable with a mixed caseload including surgery.
• Able to work independently within a supportive team.
• VCI registered and ready to practice in Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Consulting, surgery, and case work-ups with end-to-end follow-through.
• Occasional sole-charge responsibilities while being supported by the team.
• Work within a structured rota with good work-life balance.

Skills

Small animal practice

Clinical independence

Team collaboration

Education

VCI registration

Tools

IDEXX lab

Ultrasound

Endoscopy

Job description

Preferred Start Date January 2027

A Small Animal Role with Real Variety & Support

If you’re an experienced small animal vet looking for a role where you can take ownership of your cases, work within a genuinely supportive team, and enjoy a varied caseload, this is a fantastic opportunity to step into a well-established practice. You’ll join a progressive practice environment, where small animal work is at the heart of the day-to-day caseload but with the added benefit of being part of a wider, experienced and collaborative team.

Old Church Vets | Co Donegal

Full-time, Permanent

Salary up to €70,000 DOE

Preferred Start Date January 2027

A Small Animal Role with Real Variety & Support

If you’re an experienced small animal vet looking for a role where you can take ownership of your cases, work within a genuinely supportive team, and enjoy a varied caseload, this is a fantastic opportunity to step into a well-established practice. You’ll join a progressive practice environment, where small animal work is at the heart of the day-to-day caseload but with the added benefit of being part of a wider, experienced and collaborative team.

A Role Where You Can Truly Clinically Thrive

This position offers a rewarding mix of consulting, surgery, and case work-ups, with the opportunity to follow cases through from start to finish. With excellent in-house facilities, referrals are kept to a minimum, giving you the chance to develop confidence and clinical depth in your decision-making.

You will be trusted with sole charge responsibilities at times, making this an ideal step for a confident vet who enjoys autonomy but also values having a strong team around them for support and collaboration.

A Structured Rota That Respects Your Time

Work-life balance is genuinely prioritised here. You’ll work a structured and predictable schedule, with protected time off so you can fully switch off when you’re away from work.

Your working week will typically run Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm, alongside a 1 in 5 rota for nights and weekends, including a light Saturday commitment. Crucially, no phone triage is required, as calls are screened by an experienced admin team before reaching the on-call vet.

An Established Practice with a Strong Reputation

Old Church Veterinary Group has been caring for animals since 1954 and is deeply rooted in the local community. Operating across three sites, including a beautifully converted 19th-century hospital in Donegal Town, the practice blends heritage charm with modern veterinary medicine.

The team consists of 8 vets, 6 RVNs, and a dedicated support team, all working together with a strong sense of camaraderie, respect, and shared clinical pride.

Facilities are extensive and include a full IDEXX lab, ultrasound, digital X-ray, endoscopy, laser therapy, physiotherapy, and orthopaedic capabilities, allowing for a high standard of in-house care.

Who This Role Will Suit

This opportunity is best suited to a confident and capable small animal vet who is comfortable with a first opinion caseload and enjoys taking responsibility for their work.

You’ll be VCI registered, have demonstratable clinical experience, and be confident working both independently and as part of a close-knit team. What matters most is a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong team ethos.

A Benefits Package That Supports You

Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from a package designed to support both your professional growth and personal wellbeing including:

Work Life Balance& Employee Wellbeing

• 22 days Annual Leave& Birthday leave
• Paid Maternity, Paternity & Adoptive Leave Packages
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Full access to EAP and Wellbeing Centre
• Paid Bereavement Leave& Company Sick Pay
  
  

Development

• €1300 annual CPD allowance with 5 days paid CPD days pro rata
• Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue
• Career Progression Opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical
  
  

Professional Memberships

• VCI membership paid
• VDS cover paid
  
  

Additional Benefits

• Annual Pay Reviews
• Dedicated CARE fund - annual contribution of €1,100 from IVC Evidensia for each Vet to use on a case of your choice to ensure successful outcome with your patient (T&C’s apply)
• Pawesome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Free Flu Inoculations
• Discounted Veterinary Fees
• Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more)
  
  

Join a Team That Values What You Bring

This is more than a maternity cover role — it’s an opportunity to step into a welcoming, experienced team, build your confidence in a supportive setting, and enjoy a role that offers clinical variety, autonomy, and balance.

If you’re looking for your next move in a practice where you can feel trusted, supported, and genuinely part of the team, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

Up to €70,000 DOE