Veterinary Surgeon - County Durham

Independent, VetGDP registered small animal practice in the heart of County Durham.

Excellent onsite facilities including five consultation rooms, two theatres, separate cat and dog wards, a dedicated euthanasia room, and a fully equipped in-house lab.

Talented and supportive team including a Surgery Certificate holder. No OOH, late nights or bank holidays.

Amazing salary up to £65,000.

Are you an enthusiastic and dedicated Veterinary Surgeon looking to take the next step in your career? Our client, a proudly independent small animal practice located in a popular town in County Durham, is seeking someone just like you to join their team. Nestled a short distance from the stunning Northumberland countryside, the picturesque coast, and the vibrant city life of Newcastle and Durham, this location offers the perfect balance of rural beauty and urban convenience.

The practice is VetGDP registered and awaiting final submission for General Practice status under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. They are also a nurse training practice and are passionate about nurturing the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Following continued success, they have recently opened a brand-new clinic featuring five consultation rooms, two theatres, separate cat and dog wards, a dedicated euthanasia room, and a fully equipped in-house lab. If you can think of a diagnostic tool, they probably have it (except endoscopy—but they swear by Alicam instead!).

What truly sets this team apart is their culture. They don’t pretend to be a typical, average practice—because they’re not. They’re wonderfully weird and proudly so. This is a place where you’re encouraged to be brilliant at what you do, then switch off and enjoy your life outside of work.

Professional development is fully supported, and if you’re thinking about settling down for the long term, succession opportunities within the practice are on the table. You’ll be joining a talented and supportive team, with experience ranging from new graduates to a Surgery Certificate holder, plus the added support of a sister practice and a close relationship with a nearby referral hospital.

Weekly vet meetings and a dedicated Vet Slack group ensure collaboration and support are always within easy reach. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, hard-working, and a team player who enjoys a good laugh. Leadership experience is a bonus, but if you’re not there yet, leadership training is provided and encouraged. Above all, the team values a great attitude and a solid work ethic—they believe everything else can be learned.

In this role, you’ll enjoy a varied caseload, with the occasional exotic patient to keep things interesting. The average working week is 34 hours, with one in four days spent on the road locally as part of their Homecare Vet/Nurse team. There’s a 1:4 Saturday morning rota (just a 2.5-hour consult shift), and the best part—no late nights, out-of-hours, or bank holidays.

If this sounds like the kind of place you’d love to be part of, get in touch to find out more.

The Package:

• Salary Range: £40,000 - £65,000 (Dependant on capability/certification)
• 6 working weeks annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Additional annual leave based on continuous service
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Company Pension
• Access to the UK's leading Employee Assistance Programme (3rd Party Professional Mental Health support)
• Access to Bright Exchange, an online marketplace that offers free employee perks and discounts
• Staff discount
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) paid by the company following approval
• Your birthday off every year if it falls on a working day
• Cycle to Work scheme
• UK Visa Sponsorship potential
• Sick pay

For more information or for a confidential chat, please contact Lily.