At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional veterinary care and manage a varied caseload with clinical freedom.
- Company: Join Avondale Vets, a progressive practice focused on teamwork and patient care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and career development support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a friendly team culture await you in beautiful Strathaven.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in animal care while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experienced Veterinary Surgeon with a passion for small animal care.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Salary up to £65,000 DOE plus Relocation Allowance up to £3,000. Avondale Vets is looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and supportive small animal team in Strathaven. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a progressive, purpose-built practice where collaboration, clinical excellence, and exceptional patient care are at the heart of everything we do. You'll enjoy a varied first-opinion caseload with a rewarding balance of consultations, surgery, and diagnostics, while working alongside an experienced team who are passionate about learning and supporting one another. Whether you're looking to develop your surgical skills, pursue a postgraduate certificate, or simply join a practice with a genuine focus on teamwork and work-life balance, Avondale Vets offers the support and flexibility to help you thrive.
Practice Highlights
- Purpose-built small animal practice based at the Strathaven Rural Centre
- Varied first-opinion caseload with an excellent balance of consultations and surgery
- Well-equipped facilities including digital and dental radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, in-house laboratory, and laparoscopic surgery
- Expanding orthopaedic service, including TPLO procedures
- Supportive clinical team with certificate holders and colleagues currently undertaking postgraduate qualifications in Surgery/Orthopaedics and Cardiology
- Proud RVN training practice with a strong whole-team approach to patient care and learning
- Friendly, collaborative culture with regular social events and strong community involvement
- Encouragement and support to develop your own clinical interests and career aspirations
About inspiring vet care
Inspiring vet care 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 healthier animals and happier owners. 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 a Veterinary Surgeon, you'll play an important role in delivering exceptional clinical care while contributing to a supportive and collaborative team environment. You’ll be responsible for:
- Delivering high-quality small animal veterinary care across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics
- Managing a varied first-opinion caseload with clinical freedom and support from experienced colleagues
- Working collaboratively with the wider clinical and nursing teams to provide outstanding patient care
- Building lasting relationships with clients through excellent communication and continuity of care
- Supporting and mentoring student nurses as part of our training practice culture
- Developing your own clinical interests with encouragement and support from an experienced team
Working Pattern
- 40 hours per week, with the flexibility to work across 4 or 5 days
- Working hours of 8:00am-7:00pm
- Flexible rota options available to support a healthy work-life balance
- 1 in 4 Saturday mornings (8:30am-12:00pm)
- No out-of-hours responsibilities, with Vets Now Glasgow providing emergency and OOH cover
- Part-time applications are warmly welcomed, and we're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements
Unfortunately, this role is not suitable for new graduates or vets requiring a structured graduate development programme. Please refer to our IVC Graduate Academy.
Our Team
You’ll be joining a welcoming and experienced small animal team consisting of 2 full-time and 2 part-time Veterinary Surgeons, supported by a highly skilled nursing team including a Head Veterinary Nurse, RVNs, an SVN, and an Animal Care Assistant. Led by our experienced Small Animal Clinical Director, who has been with the practice for over 13 years, the team has a strong focus on collaboration, mentorship, and continuous clinical development.
Life in Strathaven
Located in the heart of South Lanarkshire, Strathaven offers the best of both worlds—beautiful countryside surroundings with Glasgow less than an hour away. The town is known for its welcoming community, excellent schools, independent cafés and shops, and easy access to walking, cycling, and outdoor pursuits. Whether you're looking for a relaxed rural lifestyle or the convenience of nearby city amenities, Strathaven is a fantastic place to build both your career and your life.
How We’ll Support You
We’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. 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
- 6.8 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
£0 - £65,000 a year Up to £65,000 DOE
Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Strathaven employer: Ivc
Ivc is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and forward-thinking work culture at the Abbey Vet Clinic in Montrose. With flexible hours and a commitment to career growth, employees can enjoy clinical freedom while managing a varied caseload in a well-equipped practice near the stunning Angus coastline. We prioritise individual development and invest in our team's future, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Strathaven
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Strathaven
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.
