At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide compassionate care for small animals, handling medical and surgical cases.
- Company: IVC Evidensia, a well-established veterinary practice with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.8 weeks annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £1250 CPD allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your skills in a flexible environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in veterinary practice and a passion for animal welfare.
- Other info: Work across multiple branches with opportunities for career growth and specialisation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal FTC role at IVC Evidensia. At Ivybank Vets, we’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate Veterinary Surgeon to join our team on a fixed term maternity cover contract for 12 months. This role offers a mix of medical and surgical cases, providing the time and support to fully work up your cases.
We’re keen to find someone with experience who can help develop and expand the caseload at our West Kilbride branch, which serves a localised area that may appeal to those specifically interested in this location. The role can be tailored to suit your experience, whether you’re early in your career and looking to consolidate your skills, or an experienced professional seeking the challenge of growing a branch’s caseload. You’ll have the option to work across any of our four branches—based in Irvine, Kilwinning, Kilmarnock, and West Kilbride—depending on your skill set and preferences.
Rota patterns that work for you. We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexibility to suit your needs. The clinic opening hours are 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday with the full-time rota consisting of 39 hours per week, usually spread across 4 days, with an equal share of 1 in 4 Saturday mornings (8:30am-12pm). However, we are happy to explore part-time and flexible working options. Out-of-hours care is handled by Vets Now, ensuring a balanced schedule.
Why join Ivybank Vets? Our four clinics—based in Irvine, Kilwinning, Kilmarnock, and West Kilbride—are situated along Ayrshire’s west coast, offering a mix of countryside, beaches, and easy access to Glasgow. We are a well-established, client-focused practice with a dedicated team of 10 Vets, 9 RVNs, 2 SVNs, 3 ACAs, and a welcoming reception and support team. Many of our nurses have experience in referral settings or long-term careers in general practice, providing nurse consultations and supporting both surgical and hospitalised cases.
Our clinics are well-equipped with modern facilities, including in-house laboratories, digital radiography, ultrasound (available at three sites), dental equipment, and more, ensuring we deliver high standards of care. We are a team of generalists with some vets with special interests – ultrasound, medicine, wildlife, ECC – who support each other to deliver the best care. We actively support further qualifications or development in special interests to hone broader skills used daily in general practice.
This role can be tailored to your strengths and interests, whether you prefer a mix of medicine and surgery or a consulting-only role.
Benefits and package
- Work-life balance
- 6.8 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
- Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
- Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing
- £1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
- Certificate support
- Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
- Access to Vetlexicon – online encyclopaedia
- Research funding available for Vets
Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal - FTC employer: IVC Evidensia
Contact Detail:
IVC Evidensia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal - FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, join local veterinary groups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Tailor your approach! When you find a role that excites you, make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills during interviews. Show them how you can contribute to their team and help grow their caseload.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions and even consider doing mock interviews with friends or mentors. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal - FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Veterinary Surgeon role. Highlight any relevant experience in small animal care, surgeries, or specific interests that align with what we’re looking for at Ivybank Vets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for veterinary medicine and why you want to join our team. Be sure to mention how you can contribute to developing our caseload and supporting our clients.
Showcase Your Flexibility: We value work-life balance, so if you have preferences for part-time or flexible hours, let us know! Mentioning your availability can help us find the best fit for both you and our team.
Apply Through Our Website: To make the application process smooth, we encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our fantastic 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. Familiarise yourself with common medical and surgical cases that you might encounter at Ivybank Vets. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine interest in the role.
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Veterinary Surgeon, compassion is key. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled difficult situations with pets and their owners in the past. Share specific examples that highlight your empathy and dedication to animal welfare.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Since the role can be tailored to your experience, think about what aspects of the job excite you most. Whether it’s surgery, medicine, or consulting, be ready to express how your skills align with the needs of the clinic and how you can contribute to expanding the caseload.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice, such as their approach to continuing education or how they support work-life balance. This shows that you’re not just interested in the job, but also in being part of a supportive team environment.