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- Tasks: Join us as a Veterinary Surgeon, handling medical and surgical cases with support.
- Company: Ivybank Vets is a client-focused practice with four clinics along Ayrshire's stunning coast.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 6.8 weeks annual leave, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: This role offers growth opportunities and a supportive team environment in a beautiful location.
- Qualifications: Experience preferred, but we welcome early career professionals eager to learn.
- Other info: Competitive salary up to £62,000 DOE and discounts for your pets.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 62000 £ per year.
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 particularly 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.
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.
Our four clinics are situated along Ayrshire’s stunning west coast, offering a mix of beautiful countryside, scenic beaches, and easy access to the vibrant city life of 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 have built long-term careers in general practice, providing excellent 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 of our 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 to our clients and their pets. With a vet studying for a certAVP (SAM) and one with a certAVP/ PgDip (VPS), we value and would actively support further qualifications or development in special interests to hone the broader skills base used daily in general practice.
Whether you're early in your career, looking to consolidate your skills, or eager to develop a branch caseload, we are here to support you. This role can be tailored to your strengths and interests, whether you prefer a mix of medicine and surgery or a consulting-only role.
We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from:
- Work-life balance: 6.8 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays; Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
- Wellbeing: 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
- Development: £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 - our online encyclopaedia provider; All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding; All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund; Infection Prevention and Control Programme; Quality Improvement Programme
- Professional Memberships: BVA membership; VDS cover; RCVS fees
- Colleague Benefits: Company pension scheme; Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria; Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you; Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers; Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
Up to £62,000 DOE
Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal FTC employer: Ivybank Vets, Kilwinning
Contact Detail:
Ivybank Vets, Kilwinning Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Ivybank Vets' values and mission. Understanding their commitment to client-focused care and team support will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any specific experience you have with small animal medicine and surgery, especially if you've worked in a similar environment. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the diverse caseload they offer and your readiness to jump in.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your approach to work-life balance and flexibility. Since Ivybank Vets values these aspects, sharing your thoughts on managing a healthy work-life balance will resonate well with them.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the local area around West Kilbride and the other branches. Showing that you understand the community and its needs can set you apart, as it demonstrates your commitment to serving the local clientele effectively.
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 highlights relevant experience in veterinary practice, particularly with small animals. Emphasise any surgical skills or special interests that align with the role at Ivybank Vets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for veterinary medicine and your commitment to animal care. Mention why you are interested in Ivybank Vets specifically and how you can contribute to their team.
Highlight Flexibility: Since the role offers flexible working options, mention your willingness to adapt to different rota patterns and locations. This shows that you are open to collaboration and can meet the clinic's needs.
Showcase Continuous Learning: Ivybank Vets values professional development. Include any continuing education courses, certifications, or training you've completed, and express your eagerness to further develop your skills within their supportive environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ivybank Vets, Kilwinning
✨Show Your Passion for Animal Care
Make sure to express your genuine love for animals and veterinary medicine. Share specific experiences that highlight your compassion and dedication, as this role requires a strong commitment to animal welfare.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss any previous roles or experiences that relate directly to the responsibilities of a Veterinary Surgeon. If you have experience in developing caseloads or working in a similar environment, be sure to mention it.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Teamwork
Since the role offers flexibility in working across different branches, emphasise your adaptability and willingness to collaborate with a diverse team. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team setting in the past.
✨Prepare Questions About Development Opportunities
Show your interest in professional growth by preparing thoughtful questions about the CPD allowance, certificate support, and other development opportunities mentioned in the job description. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning.
