Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

Market Veterinary Centre – Barnstaple, Devon

Salary up to £60,000 DOE, welcome bonus up to £5,000 and relocation allowance up to £5,000.

Market Vets is a two-site practice, with the majority of your time spent at the Barnstaple branch and occasional support at South Molton. Although this is a small animal position, Market Vets benefits from a varied and interesting caseload that includes small animals, farm work, and even local zoo patients, offering excellent exposure to a diverse range of cases and opportunities to broaden your clinical experience.

The role offers a rewarding mix of consultations and surgery, with cases ranging from routine procedures through to emergency and critical care. The varied caseload ensures no two days are the same, while also providing plenty of opportunity to pursue and develop your own clinical interests.

The practice is well‑equipped with a comprehensive range of modern facilities, including an in‑house laboratory, digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, dental radiography, therapeutic K‑laser and multiparameter anaesthetic monitoring, enabling the team to deliver high standards of patient care.

Community involvement is a key part of life at Market Vets. The team runs fortnightly outreach clinics in Torrington and Lynton to improve access to veterinary care across North Devon while building strong relationships within the local community.

You’ll be joining a welcoming and collaborative team of 12 vets and 13 RVNs, supported by an experienced client‑care team and Practice Director. With a certificate holder in exotics already in the practice and colleagues with interests spanning orthopaedics, dentistry and farm animal medicine, there is a strong culture of learning and knowledge‑sharing. Ongoing professional development is highly valued, with active support available for further study and certificate qualifications.

• Great balance of consulting and surgery
• Exposure to both routine and emergency cases
• Freedom to develop your own clinical interests
• Modern facilities with advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment
• Supportive team of 12 vets and 13 RVNs
• Learning from colleagues with diverse clinical interests and certificates
• Strong support for CPD and further qualifications

As a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll work collaboratively with the wider practice team to deliver a high standard of patient and client care across a varied and rewarding caseload. You’ll continue to develop your clinical skills and interests while sharing your knowledge and experience with colleagues, contributing positively to the clinical culture of the practice. You’ll be an integral member of the clinical team, delivering excellent care and supporting the ongoing development of those around you.

• Full‑time role of 40 hours per week, worked over 4 or 5 days
• Shared weekend rota and on‑call commitment until 7 pm 1:5, after which a dedicated out‑of‑hours provider takes over
• Part‑time applications also considered

You are a confident and motivated veterinary surgeon who enjoys working as part of a team and is committed to delivering high‑quality patient and client care. You’ll bring:

• A veterinary degree and registration (or eligibility to register) with the RCVS
• Experience working 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 ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A passion for delivering excellent patient and client care

• 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

• 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 & RCVS fees
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced‑cost veterinary care for your own pets