Salary is up to £65,000 DOE plus, £5,000 Relocation Allowance plus up to £5,000 signing bonus
Veterinary Surgeon needed for award winning, fabulous practice in Biddulph, Staffordshire (on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border). Recent graduates and more experienced vets equally welcome.
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.
About Us
With one of our lovely vets off on Maternity leave, we have the opportunity to look for another vet to complement our fabulous team. With many of our vets being very experienced, all levels of experience will be considered (although as we had a fabulous new graduate start with us in August, we want to ensure they are our training focus for the next few months).
We have 6 vets (4.5 FTE) with lots of varied interests and experience from 1 to 24 years! Our lead vet James is studying for his ophthalmology certificate, our lead nurse Lyndsey recently completed her feline nursing, we also offer acupuncture as part of a pain management strategy.
We have great relationships with neighbouring practices, giving us great resources for information and second opinions. We have access to CT scanning at a very reasonable cost in 2 local practices and also utilise a local AVP in cardiology for those cases where a heart work up is needed but specialists are not necessarily the client’s preference for convenience or cost. We have specialists in cardiology, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery that we can call on to attend the practice if needed for more complex cases – wonderful when you want to actually see that more unusual procedure and keep continuity with your case!
We think you should be able to love the environment you work in - there aren’t many practices that look and feel like ours. Dedicated clinical office, 8 consulting rooms plus an end-of-life room, cat only waiting and ward (Cat friendly silver status), 2 full theatres plus dental theatre. The environment is planned to emphasise wellbeing of staff and patients – large airy reception, consulting, and operating rooms with natural light throughout.
The building is almost big enough to get lost in at first, but still feels cosy and inviting. Our extra-large meeting room is great for lunch and learns, practice meetings and of course practice parties.
We think you deserve to be proud of your practice - knowing we provide excellent care, great range and quality of equipment (including slit lamp, in-house biochemistry and haematology, tonopen, multiparameter monitors amongst many others), a knowledgeable team and all for a fair cost to our clients.
We want a team member that fits with our culture and will insist on spending a day with us (at least) so you can make sure it is right for you. We would be very happy for you to speak to any of our staff members past or present - or even our EMS students - to see what they say about us.
The Rota
We are looking for a full or part time vet (19 - 40 hours per week over 2-5 days), on a permanent or maternity cover basis, and are happy to look at non-conventional work patterns to suit your needs, whatever they may be.
Full days, half days, split shifts, shifts that start after the school run – just ask and we will see what we can do! Let’s talk through what you CAN do and see if we can make it work.
We know most people don’t want to do OOH, night checks, Sundays, or bank holidays, so we don’t ask you to.
Saturdays are officially 1 in 5 (but we actually work 1 in 6 currently) alongside 2 receptionists, a RVN, and one other nursing team member (student nurse or RVN) and only 8am - 1pm. But if you love Saturdays or it suits you better – let us know!
We are in a unique position to be able to accommodate a consult only vet if that is your preference
Our Values
We focus on the client-patient bond and foster an environment of case continuity and trust from our clients in the vets and nurses that they meet. Clients can request their preferred vet for appointments and surgery so you can really follow cases through to resolution.
We have a nursing team who can focus on nursing exclusively thanks to our award-winning client care team. Our nurses do not have to get diverted to filling out insurance forms, so they can spend more time on patient care.
We value your skills and want to invest in you – if you have a special interest or skill, we will help you to develop it or allow you to utilise it – we have lots of space for you to expand our services. Equally if you always wanted to learn more about a subject, we can get you on the right track with CPD and training to meet your career goals.
We value your time - our aim is to finish on time, every time, and on the rare occasion it doesn’t happen, or you work into your lunch, we will of course give you the time back. You deserve to have proper breaks - 2 staff rooms, outside staff area, pool table, massage chair, espresso machine, velvetiser hot chocolate machine, toastie maker if you want to stay in the practice on your break - or head out for a walk, cycle or run and you can use the staff shower when you get back!
We think you need time to follow up cases, report results and catch up on your notes. As well as your hour for lunch (which is for relaxing not note writing!) there is additional time on the diary each day to make sure you can. And our appointments are of course all 20 minutes (with longer for end-of-life appointments).
We were Petplan Practice of the Year 2019, having won 2 previous awards, and been finalists in the Nurse and Practice Manager categories too!
We think you would like to be part of the team - we all work together to get the job done and provide a great service. We are inclusive and supportive - none of us are perfect but we will try to help however we can. If you want to join in on a Go Ape adventure, take part in the local pub quiz, or come out for a meal that’s great – but if you don’t that’s fine too!
We think your opinions and ideas are important – open dialogue and discussion is encouraged for all team members, and we promise to listen and act where we can. Clinical meetings lead to real change – bring your ideas so we can discuss and implement them.
We know your work/life balance is vital to your wellbeing – we try to accommodate time off requests whenever possible, to ensure you can get to all those important events in your life. One of our vets has recently come back from a 2-month sabbatical – time away from work is important!
About our surrounding area:
Biddulph, originally a mining town, is set within the Staffordshire Moorlands (and bordering Cheshire), with beautiful countryside in every direction.
Biddulph Grange Garden (a National Trust "masterpiece of Victorian Garden design") and Biddulph Country Park both are both within a 5-minute drive for lunchtime fresh air.
Mow Cop, Staffordshire Way Gritstone Trail, Little Moreton Hall (NT), The Cloud and Jodrell Bank are just some of the very local walks and sights we have on our doorstep. We are also close to Manchester if you feel in need of a big city!
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
- 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’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.
£0 - £65,000 a year
Salary up to £65,000 DOE
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal Maternity Cover in Biddulph
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Ivc often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ivc
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Ivc. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Ivc.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Ivc.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Ivc.
