Veterinary Practitioner - Small Animal
IVC Evidensia About the role
At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.
Looking for a Practice Where People Stay? Opportunities at Cedarmount don't come along very often. We're proud to be a well-established practice with a stable, experienced team and excellent staff retention, with several team members having worked here for more than 15 years. Located just outside Belfast and right on the beautiful Bangor seafront, we offer the perfect combination of a thriving clinical environment and an exceptional quality of life. Our team is friendly, supportive and full of personality, and we're looking for someone who will become part of the family – someone approachable, personable and happy to enjoy a bit of craic with colleagues and clients alike.
As our practice continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join us. This role will suit a confident, well‑rounded general practitioner who is comfortable managing a busy caseload from day one and enjoys working as part of a collaborative team.
A Role That Offers Variety and Challenge: Cedarmount is a busy first‑opinion practice with a fantastic and varied caseload across both medicine and surgery. Whether your interests lie in consulting, diagnostics, internal medicine or surgery, you'll find plenty of opportunities to keep you engaged and developing professionally. Our experienced team includes several certificate holders across a range of disciplines, and we have a dedicated orthopaedic surgeon within the practice, allowing us to manage a diverse range of cases in‑house. We also perform laparoscopic procedures and have the equipment and facilities available to support vets with an interest in minimally invasive surgery. This is a role for a Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys the pace and variety of a busy practice. Due to the nature of our caseload, we're looking for someone who can confidently hit the ground running, rather than a vet requiring significant mentoring or structured support.
Working Pattern and Work-Life Balance: A typical weekday begins with morning rounds at 8:00 am, with consultations starting from 8:30 am. Late shifts begin at 10:00 am, with the clinic closing at 7:00 pm and late vets rostered until 8:00 pm to complete notes, follow‑ups and end‑of‑day tasks. Consultations are scheduled in 15‑minute appointments, allowing time to provide a high standard of care while managing our busy caseload effectively. There are no out‑of‑hours or on‑call commitments. Occasionally, some light inpatient care may be required in exceptional circumstances, but overnight patient care is routinely managed by our experienced nursing team. The Saturday rota is 1 in 6, working from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, with consultations commencing at 9:00 am. While this is our standard rota, we recognise that one size doesn’t fit all. If you’re interested in joining Cedarmount but are looking for different hours, we're happy to discuss alternative working arrangements with the right candidate.
Grow Your Career Your Way: Whether you’re already pursuing a particular clinical interest or are looking to expand your skills further, you'll find encouragement and support at Cedarmount. Our veterinary team includes clinicians with postgraduate qualifications and certificates across multiple disciplines, creating a collaborative environment where case discussion, learning and knowledge sharing are part of everyday practice. With strong medical, surgical and orthopaedic caseloads, as well as laparoscopic capabilities, this is an excellent environment for a vet looking to continue developing their interests while enjoying the support of an experienced team. This is a practice where careers are nurtured for the long term, not just jobs filled.
A Well‑Equipped Practice with an Excellent Caseload: Cedarmount is a busy and progressive small animal practice providing care for dogs, cats, rabbits and occasional exotic species. Our facilities include separate dog and cat waiting areas, four consulting rooms, dedicated theatres, imaging facilities and laparoscopic equipment, allowing us to offer a high standard of care across a wide variety of cases. We are currently undertaking an exciting refurbishment project and will be returning to our fully updated Bangor premises in August. During this period, the team is working from nearby IVC practices to ensure continuity of care for our clients and patients. Alongside routine procedures, the team regularly performs laparoscopic surgery, soft tissue surgery and orthopaedic procedures, providing excellent exposure to both medical and surgical work. You'll also be supported by a highly capable nursing team who play an active role in delivering exceptional patient care and running their own clinics.
Life in Bangor: Located on the beautiful County Down coastline, Bangor offers the perfect blend of seaside living and city convenience. With stunning coastal walks, a vibrant marina, excellent local amenities and Belfast just a short commute away, the area provides an exceptional quality of life both inside and outside of work.
What We’re Looking For: We're keen to hear from Veterinary Surgeons who enjoy building strong client relationships, delivering high-quality patient care and working as part of a collaborative team. We're particularly interested in experienced, confident general practitioners who can manage a varied first‑opinion caseload and integrate quickly into a busy practice environment.
Applicants Must Be: RCVS Registered, Eligible to work in the UK.
How We’ll Support You: At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and well‑being. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- 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 & 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:
- 7 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’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world‑class learning resources. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
Your tasks
Provide exceptional veterinary care for small animals in a busy, supportive practice.
Your profile
RCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon with experience in managing a varied caseload.
What's also included
Enjoy 7 weeks holiday, private medical insurance, and a £1,250 annual Care Fund.
Tech stack & ways of working
Veterinary Practitioner - Small Animal employer: IVC Evidensia
Inspiring vet care is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and values-led culture that prioritises care, community, and continuous improvement. As an Area Director in the West Midlands and Black Country, you will have the autonomy to shape strategy and performance while benefiting from extensive professional development opportunities and a generous benefits package, including 6.6 weeks of annual leave and a healthcare cash plan. Join us to make a meaningful impact on patient care and team engagement in a dynamic, multi-site environment.
Your perspectives
Make a real difference in animal health while enjoying a vibrant coastal lifestyle.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
Dive into local health initiatives or volunteer at community health events. This not only boosts your practical experience but also gets you noticed among professionals in human medicine who may have leads on full-time positions like Veterinary Practitioner - Small Animal at IVC Evidensia.
Connect with Professionals via Medical Associations
Join professional associations related to human medicine, such as the Royal College of Physicians. Attend their conferences and networking events to meet potential employers in a relaxed setting. Who knows, you might just bump into someone from IVC Evidensia!
Showcase Your Passion and Expertise Online
Build a personal website or a professional blog where you can share your insights on human medicine topics. This portfolio can catch the eye of recruiters looking for dedicated individuals for full-time roles like Veterinary Practitioner - Small Animal.
Leverage University Career Services
If you’re still in or recently graduated from university, don’t hesitate to use your career services. They often have exclusive listings and contacts in the human medicine field that can help you land a full-time gig at places like IVC Evidensia.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience
When applying for the Veterinary Practitioner - Small Animal at IVC Evidensia, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills
In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully
Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Veterinary Practitioner - Small Animal at IVC Evidensia. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education
Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like IVC Evidensia will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia
Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
