Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This small animal Veterinary Surgeon position is based primarily at Orwell Vets' main hospital in Grange Farm, with time also spent across the Stutton and central Ipswich branches. The role offers a four-day week, part-time applications are welcomed, and there are no out-of-hours commitments. Saturday mornings are worked 1 in 5, from 8:00am to 12:30pm.

You will be joining a practice with a varied caseload and modern facilities, including a recently renovated purpose-built hospital, three consult rooms, a dedicated RVN consult room, two theatres, a dental suite, imaging and recovery rooms, separate dog kennels, a cattery and isolation facilities. The caseload includes dentistry, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, imaging, medicine, laparoscopic procedures and ECC cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Work across the main Grange Farm hospital and the Stutton and central Ipswich branches
• Deliver patient and client care across a varied small animal caseload
• Contribute to dentistry, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, imaging, medicine and laparoscopic procedures
• Support care for ECC cases as part of the wider clinical team
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues and help strengthen the clinical culture of the practice

Requirements

• A veterinary degree and RCVS registration, or eligibility to register
• Experience in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• A proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and development
• Professionalism, reliability and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• A driving licence is preferred but not essential

Benefits

• Salary up to £75,000 DOE
• Welcome bonus of up to £5,000
• Relocation allowance of up to £5,000
• Four-day working week
• Part-time applications welcomed
• No out-of-hours commitments
• 1 in 5 Saturday mornings, 8:00am to 12:30pm
• 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 and RCVS fees
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes, subject to eligibility
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Funded learning and development, including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Annual Care Fund of £1,250 for every vet
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks

About the Practice

Orwell Vets has been established for over 50 years and is described as a long-established, family-owned and independent practice offering first opinion care for dogs, cats, rabbits and family pets. The business operates from a purpose-built Tier Three Hospital at Grange Farm, with branch surgeries in Ipswich town centre, Ravenswood and Stutton.

The practice is highlighted as having an IPC Silver Award for infection prevention, and the team includes vets, registered nurses, receptionists and other client care colleagues. It is presented as a stable, locally rooted team with a strong reputation in the community.