Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a veterinary team, oversee complex cases, and ensure outstanding patient care.
- Company: St Marys Veterinary Clinic, part of IVC Evidensia, the leading veterinary care group.
- Benefits: Up to £80,000 salary, relocation allowance, 6.6 weeks holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Supportive environment with clear career pathways and funded learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while advancing your veterinary career.
- Qualifications: Veterinary degree, RCVS registration, and significant experience in small animal practice.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
St Marys Vets is an established, single-site practice with a strong local reputation and a great GP first-opinion caseload. This role offers a balanced mix of consults and surgery, with the opportunity to work up cases in-house from routine procedures to ECC, while having referral support when needed. You’ll need to be confident with sole charge and enjoy working with a varied caseload including cats, dogs, rabbits, and the occasional exotic. The practice is fully equipped with modern facilities including digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, and an in-house lab and is due to undergo a full refurbishment.
IVC Evidensia 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 happier animals, happier owners. At IVC Evidensia, 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 Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you will be the most senior veterinary clinician within the practice, responsible for leading clinical standards, governance, and the delivery of outstanding patient and client care. You’ll provide clinical leadership to the veterinary team, oversee complex cases, and act as the primary source of clinical guidance and decision-making within the practice. Working closely with the senior practice leadership team, you’ll support the strategic direction of the practice and drive continuous improvement in clinical quality, outcomes, and ways of working.
Monday to Friday 9:00 − 18:30 (one half-day per week 9:00 − 13:00 to be arranged) No out-of-hours or on-call duties Open to PT candidates, 30+ hour minimum
You Might Be a Great Fit If…
- A Veterinary degree and registration with the RCVS with significant experience in small or mixed animal practice, with advanced surgical and medical capability
- Proven experience in mentoring, coaching, and supporting veterinary colleagues
- Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills
- Experience contributing to or leading clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
- The ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance in complex situations
- Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the highest standards of patient and client care
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 and 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
- 6.6 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. 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.
Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Ferndown employer: IVC Evidensia
Contact Detail:
IVC Evidensia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Ferndown
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best cases, surgeries, and any special projects you've worked on. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on how you can lead clinical standards and improve patient care.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Ferndown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Lead Veterinary Surgeon role. Highlight your surgical capabilities, leadership experience, and any relevant clinical governance work to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about veterinary care and how your values align with ours at IVC Evidensia. Don’t forget to mention your experience with varied caseloads and mentoring others.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Lead Veterinary Surgeon, we want to see your leadership style! Include examples of how you've mentored colleagues or led clinical initiatives in your application. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our recruitment team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially around small animal care and advanced surgical techniques. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled and how you approached them, as this will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've mentored or coached colleagues in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in complex situations, such as managing clinical complaints or making tough decisions. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and outline how you would handle them, showcasing your professionalism and integrity.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have some insightful questions prepared about the practice's culture, ongoing training opportunities, or future developments. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.