Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Inspiring Vet Care; Rathcoole; On-site; EUR 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD allowance €1,300

Five days paid CPD leave

Pension contributions

VCI/VDS memberships

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted veterinary care for pets

CARE Fund annual contribution

Birthday day off

Job summary

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic is seeking a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in a sole-charge role within a growing practice. You will lead clinical care with autonomy while benefiting from the backing of a wider veterinary network at Beaufield Veterinary Centre.

The position offers 40 hours per week in a full-time, permanent role, with a competitive salary up to €65,000 DOE and opportunities for professional development and client relationship-building in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Must be a VCI Registered Veterinary Surgeon.
• Experience in first-opinion small animal practice is preferred.
• Ability to work in sole-charge with clinical autonomy.
• Strong communication skills and client relations.
• Surgical experience is advantageous, with training available.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied first-opinion caseload as the lead clinician.
• Provide high-quality medical and surgical care for small animals.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and continuity of care.
• Collaborate with the wider Beaufield Veterinary Centre network for support.
• Pursue ongoing CPD and professional development.

Job description

Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic | Rathcoole, Co. Dublin

40 Hours Per Week

Salary up to €65,000 DOE

Take Ownership of a Growing Practice

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic is seeking a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our team in an exciting sole-charge position with the support of a highly experienced wider veterinary network.

Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic | Rathcoole, Co. Dublin

Full-Time | Permanent

40 Hours Per Week

Salary up to €65,000 DOE

Take Ownership of a Growing Practice

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic is seeking a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our team in an exciting sole-charge position with the support of a highly experienced wider veterinary network.

This is a unique opportunity for a vet who enjoys clinical autonomy, values continuity of care and is looking for a role where they can truly make their mark. As the lead veterinary surgeon within the practice, you'll have the freedom to manage your own caseload, build lasting client relationships and help shape the future of a growing clinic, while benefiting from the backing and expertise of the wider team at Beaufield Veterinary Centre.

Under new management and with a newly established team in place, Rathcoole is entering an exciting new chapter. We're looking for someone who wants to be part of that journey and help develop the practice into a thriving local veterinary hub.

Enjoy Independence Without Feeling Alone

One of the standout features of this role is the balance it offers between autonomy and support.

As the sole veterinary surgeon on site, you'll enjoy the independence to manage cases, make clinical decisions and develop client relationships in your own way. At the same time, you'll have direct access to the experienced veterinary, surgical and management teams at Beaufield Veterinary Centre, providing the reassurance of a larger, collaborative network whenever needed.

This creates an ideal environment for an experienced vet who enjoys working independently but still values having trusted colleagues available for discussion, support and professional development. For candidates looking to advance their surgical skills, additional training opportunities through Beaufield can also be incorporated into the role.

Build the Role Around Your Clinical Interests

This is far more than a traditional first-opinion veterinary position. We're looking for someone who wants to help shape the future direction of the clinic and develop services that reflect their own interests and strengths.

Whether your passion lies in surgery, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, dermatology or another area of small animal practice, there is genuine scope to grow and develop that service within the clinic. With a loyal and established client base already in place, you'll have the opportunity to build on strong foundations while creating a role that is professionally rewarding and uniquely your own.

If you've ever wanted the opportunity to influence how a practice develops, without the challenges and responsibilities of ownership, this role offers exactly that.

Modern Facilities and a Well-Equipped Practice

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic is a well-established small animal practice that has recently undergone renovation, creating a modern and comfortable working environment for both patients and colleagues.

The clinic is equipped with everything needed to provide high-quality first-opinion care, including a fully equipped operating theatre, digital radiography, ultrasound, dental facilities, multiparameter monitoring equipment and blood pressure monitoring. The recent refurbishment also included the installation of air conditioning throughout the practice, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment year-round.

You'll be supported by an experienced Veterinary Nurse, Animal Care Assistant, Student Veterinary Nurse and Practice Director, allowing you to focus on delivering excellent clinical care while working as part of a collaborative and capable team.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking a VCI Registered Veterinary Surgeon who is confident managing a varied first-opinion caseload and comfortable working independently in a sole-charge environment.

You’ll be an experienced clinician with strong consulting skills, excellent communication abilities and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional patient care. Surgical experience would be highly advantageous, however additional support and training can be provided for the right candidate who is eager to further develop their surgical capabilities.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is excited by the prospect of helping grow a practice, shaping services around their interests and becoming a key part of a close-knit team.

Work-Life Balance That Works

This is a full-time permanent position based on 40 hours per week, typically worked across five days from Monday to Friday.

The practice is open from 9.00am to 6.00pm, allowing for predictable working hours and a great work-life balance. While the clinic is currently closed on Saturdays, you would have flexibility for participation in a future rotational Saturday rota should practice needs evolve over time.

Importantly, there are no out-of-hours commitments, no on-call responsibilities and no Bank Holiday working requirements.

Invest in Your Future

At Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic, we are committed to helping our veterinary surgeons achieve their professional goals and continue growing throughout their careers.

You’ll receive a generous annual CPD allowance of €1,300 and five days of paid CPD leave, alongside funding for certificates, diplomas and further postgraduate qualifications. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise in a particular discipline, pursue advanced qualifications or develop leadership skills, you’ll have access to the support and resources needed to succeed.

Opportunities for career progression exist in both clinical and non-clinical pathways, ensuring your career can evolve in the direction that’s right for you.

A Comprehensive Benefits Package

Alongside a competitive salary of €65,000 DOE, including an additional allowance reflecting the Certificate of Sponsorship holder responsibilities associated with the role, you’ll benefit from a comprehensive package designed to support your wellbeing, professional development and financial security.

You’ll receive 22 days annual leave plus a paid day off on your birthday, enhanced maternity and paternity benefits, company sick pay, bereavement leave, pension contributions, professional memberships including VCI and VDS cover, access to an Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing services, discounted veterinary treatment for your own pets, and a range of employee discounts through the Pawesome Benefits platform.

You’ll also benefit from the IVC Evidensia CARE Fund, providing an annual contribution to support patient care and help achieve the best possible outcomes for your cases.

Shape the Future of Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon looking for autonomy, flexibility, strong clinical support and the chance to influence the future direction of a growing practice.

If you’re looking for a role where your ideas, expertise and ambitions will be valued, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic and enjoy the freedom to lead, the support to grow, and the opportunity to build something truly special.

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 judgement. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Salary up to €65,000 DOE