At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide exceptional care for small animals and mentor new graduates.
- Company: Paragon Veterinary Group, an independent practice in the stunning Lake District.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and support for further qualifications.
- Other info: Enjoy a modern workspace and a friendly team that feels like family.
- Why this job: Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for clinical development and outdoor adventures.
- Qualifications: Experienced Small Animal Vet with completed VetGDP and confidence in managing varied caseloads.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 55000 £ per year.
Looking for an independent practice where you can build a long-term career, develop your interests and have the stunning Lake District on your doorstep? At Paragon Veterinary Group, we're proud to be independent, locally owned and home to a genuinely long-standing team. Several of our vets have been with us for more than 10 years, with some having spent much of their careers here.
We're now looking for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly team. You'll be based primarily at our main small animal site in Dalston, just south of Carlisle, with some time spent at our Newbiggin branch near Penrith. We're looking for a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon who has completed their VetGDP and is confident managing a varied first-opinion caseload, including routine consultations and surgery.
A little about us: Paragon has been part of the Cumbrian veterinary community in one form or another for generations. Today, we're a large, multidisciplinary independent veterinary group, but we've never lost sight of the relationships that matter – with our clients, their animals and the people we work alongside every day. Our small animal team currently includes 10 vets, with our main site at Dalston and a branch surgery at Newbiggin, near Penrith.
Our Dalston practice was extensively redeveloped to create a spacious, modern working environment, with facilities including digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, an in-house laboratory and separate cat and dog wards. But for us, a good working environment is about much more than the equipment. We want our vets to have the time and support to do their jobs well. Standard consultations are 15 minutes and are lengthened where needed, and we build breaks into the working day for admin, phone calls and all the other things that inevitably crop up in practice. You’ll also have at least one dedicated operating day each week.
Develop in the direction that interests you: Clinical development is actively encouraged at Paragon. Within the team, we have vets with further qualifications and interests across medicine, emergency and critical care, anaesthesia and orthopaedics. We also regularly welcome visiting specialists, including an orthopaedic surgeon and cardiologist, giving interested team members the opportunity to get involved and learn from more advanced cases. If there's an area you'd like to develop further, we'll support and encourage you, including undertaking a certificate.
Our standard working week is 4.5 days, with typical days running from 8:30am–5:30pm. We choose to provide our own out-of-hours service because we value continuity of care and want to be there for our clients and patients when they need us most. You’ll share the on‑call rota with the rest of the team. Weekends are currently around 1 in 6 (maximum 1 in 5), with the intention for this to reduce further as newer members of the team become established.
Life outside the practice: One of the biggest benefits of working here is where we are. The Lake District is on our doorstep, and many of our team make the most of it. We organise practice‑wide social events too, including our annual Christmas party and group walks, but there's no pressure to join everything. Whether you want colleagues to explore the Lakes with or simply want to finish work and head out into some of the UK's most beautiful countryside, Cumbria is a pretty special place to call home.
What we can offer:
- Salary £39,000 - £55,000, depending on experience
- 4.5-day working week (8:30am–5:30pm)
- At least one dedicated operating day each week
- 15‑minute consultations, extended where needed
- Shared OOH rota, currently 1 in 6 weekends and 1 in 7 weeknights
- Time off in lieu following weekends and bank holidays worked
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical insurance
- RCVS, VDS and BVA memberships plus one additional professional membership
- Certificate study actively encouraged and supported
- Opportunities to develop your teaching and mentoring skills
- A modern, spacious working environment
- An experienced, supportive and genuinely long-standing team
We're proud of the fact that people build careers at Paragon. Our aim is to give our team the freedom and support to develop, take responsibility and find the areas of veterinary practice that they really enjoy. If you're an experienced small animal vet looking for an independent practice where you can become part of the team for the long term, we'd love to hear from you.
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Carlisle employer: Paragon Veterinary Group - Pets
At Paragon Veterinary Group, we pride ourselves on being an independent practice that fosters a supportive and friendly work culture, allowing our team to thrive both professionally and personally. With the stunning Lake District at our doorstep, we offer not only a modern working environment but also ample opportunities for clinical development, mentoring, and building lasting relationships within a long-standing team. Join us to enjoy a fulfilling career where your growth is encouraged and your contributions are valued.
Contact Details:
Paragon Veterinary Group - Pets Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Carlisle
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We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Carlisle
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How to prepare for a job interview at Paragon Veterinary Group - Pets
✨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.
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