Referral Veterinary Surgeon (Soft Tissue & Orthopaedics)

IVC; Cork; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Relocation support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employer pension contributions

Annual salary reviews

Job summary

Sunbeam Veterinary Group in Cork is seeking an experienced Referral Veterinary Surgeon to join our purpose-built referral hospital. You will manage a busy caseload in soft tissue and orthopaedics, building relationships with clients and referring practices.

The role offers a four-day week, 40 hours, with limited weekends and no out-of-hours work, with a competitive salary and extensive development opportunities.

Qualifications

• VCI registered or eligible for VCI registration.
• Recognised Surgical Certificate essential.
• Experience in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery.
• Comfortable managing referral-level cases and building caseload.
• Collaborative and personable team player.

Responsibilities

• Manage busy referral caseload from initial assessment through to surgery and follow-up.
• Perform soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively with clients and referring veterinary surgeons.

Skills

Surgical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Recognised Surgical Certificate

Tools

Laparoscopic techniques

Endoscopy

Job description

Referral Veterinary Surgeon (Soft Tissue & Orthopaedics)

Sunbeam Veterinary Hospital | Cork, Ireland

Sunbeam Veterinary Group is seeking an experienced Referral Veterinary Surgeon to join our growing team at our purpose-built referral hospital in Cork. This is a unique opportunity for a surgeon who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient care while developing and expanding their own referral caseload within a busy and well-established hospital environment.

We are ideally looking for a full-time permanent surgeon, however we are open to discussing flexible or part-time arrangements for the right candidate.

With a preferred start date from November 2026 onwards (flexible), this position offers exceptional clinical freedom, excellent facilities, and genuine scope to shape the role around your interests and professional ambitions.

About Sunbeam Veterinary Group

Sunbeam Veterinary Group is a 100% small animal veterinary group with practices located across Cork, including Blackpool, Cobh, Passage West and Kinsale Road. Our referral centre, based at Northpoint Business Park on Cork’s northside, provides advanced surgical, diagnostic and emergency services to patients throughout the region.

We operate a busy referral hospital with 24/7 emergency and critical care support, providing around-the-clock veterinary cover. Our clinical team consists of approximately nine veterinary surgeons, fifteen qualified veterinary nurses, hydrotherapy specialists and a dedicated support team. We also benefit from multiple certificate holders and experienced clinicians across a range of disciplines, creating a highly collaborative and supportive environment.

Our facilities include:

• CT scanning
• Digital radiography and ultrasound
• In-house laboratory
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Endoscopy
• Advanced orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery
• Hospitalisation and intensive care facilities
• Canine hydrotherapy and rehabilitation services

The Opportunity

This role is centred around referral-level surgery and would suit an ambitious surgeon who enjoys managing complex cases while building strong relationships with both clients and referring veterinary practices.

You will take responsibility for a busy and varied surgical caseload involving both soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures, managing cases from initial assessment through to surgery and follow-up care. You will work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team, with access to advanced imaging, rehabilitation services and emergency support.

We are looking for someone who is confident handling referral cases independently and who is excited by the opportunity to further develop and grow surgical services within the practice. There is significant flexibility within this role, allowing the successful candidate to shape the caseload around their individual interests and expertise.

Experience or a strong interest in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures would be highly advantageous as we continue to develop these services.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants must be VCI registered or eligible for VCI registration.

A recognised Surgical Certificate is essential, along with proven experience in both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery.

The successful candidate will be comfortable managing referral-level cases, maintaining and developing their own surgical caseload, and communicating effectively with clients and referring veterinary surgeons.

Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who is approachable, collaborative and personable. Our ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator who enjoys working as part of a large, experienced team and contributing positively to the culture of the hospital.

Working Pattern

A full-time position consists of a four-day week, working 40 hours between Monday and Friday within the hospital opening hours of 8am to 7pm.

The rota also includes:

• 1 in 8 weekends
• 2 Bank Holiday shifts per year

There are no out-of-hours responsibilities, as these are covered by our dedicated, in-house emergency service.

Salary & Benefits

Salary starts from €75,000+, with higher packages available depending on experience and qualifications.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal wellbeing and professional development.

Work-Life Balance

• 22 days annual leave
• Birthday leave
• Paid maternity leave
• Paid paternity and adoptive leave
• Company sick pay
• Paid bereavement leave
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme and Wellbeing Centre

Professional Development

• €1,300 annual CPD allowance
• 5 paid CPD days per year
• Full support and funding for certificates, diplomas and further qualifications
• Career progression opportunities across both clinical and leadership pathways
• VCI membership paid
• VDS cover paid

Additional Benefits

• Annual salary reviews
• Employer pension contributions
• Discounted veterinary fees
• Relocation support where applicable
• Free flu vaccinations
• IVC Evidensia CARE Fund contribution
• Access to Pawesome Benefits and Reward Gateway discount platform
• Opportunities to join a range of company-wide professional and wellbeing initiatives

Interested?

If you are an experienced surgeon looking for the opportunity to build and develop a rewarding referral caseload within a progressive, well-equipped hospital, we would love to hear from you.

Join Sunbeam Veterinary Group and become part of a collaborative team committed to delivering exceptional referral care while supporting your long-term professional development.

€75,000 - €90,000 a year

From €75,000+ DOE