Are you a confident small animal vet looking for a varied caseload, a supportive team, and a practice where your development is genuinely encouraged? This 12-month fixed-term contract in East Lancashire could be the ideal next step in your career.

Key Details

• Location: Colne, Lancashire (multi-branch practice)

• Role: Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon – 12-month FTC

• Salary: £40,000 – £60,000 DOE

• Hours: Full-time (flexible working considered)

• Rota: 3–5 day weeks across an 8-week rolling rota with TOIL after OOH

The Role

• First-opinion caseload with the opportunity to manage cases from consult through to diagnosis and treatment

• OOH work shared on a fair rota, with full support from a dedicated night RVN team

• Varied workload including medicine, surgery, and emergency care

• Access to visiting specialists in ultrasonography and cardiology for complex case workups

• Full CPD support with £1,700 budget and 5 paid CPD days per annum (certificates encouraged and funded)

About the Practice

• Long-established RCVS-accredited practice with branches in Colne, Barnoldswick and Burnley

• Modern facilities including digital x-ray, dental x-ray, ultrasound, flexible & rigid endoscopy, two theatres with multiparameter monitors, in-house lab, and bereavement suite

• Separate dog and cat wards for excellent inpatient care

• Supported by 3 dedicated night RVNs (2 ECC certificate holders) and a team of GDP mentors, wellbeing champions, and mental health first aiders

• Active involvement in training – nurse training facility and links with the University of Central Lancashire

• Strong focus on staff wellbeing and team socials – from charity walks to pub trips

The Rota

• Full-time vets on OOH cover work a mix of 3, 4 and 5-day weeks on an 8-week cycle

• OOH: approx. 1 night every other week with the following day off

• Weekend OOH: 1.5 in 8, with generous time off in lieu (e.g. Monday & Tuesday off after a weekend on-call)

• OOH telephone service handles calls, leaving vets free to focus on cases

• Dedicated night RVNs take overnight calls and provide inpatient care, reducing workload for vets

Benefits

• £40,000 – £60,000 DOE

• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata) holiday buy-back scheme

• £1,700 CPD allowance 5 CPD days, certificates funded

• RCVS fees, VDS cover 2 memberships paid

• Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing support

• Private medical insurance available via payroll

• Cycle to Work scheme & corporate gym membership (£22.50/month)

• Enhanced parental pay & sick pay

• 1 paid volunteering day per year

• Staff pet-friendly policy – bring your well-behaved pets to work

• Relocation support considered

Must Haves

• RCVS Registered (or soon to be)
• Possess the right to work in the United Kingdom
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

What Happens Next?

CLICK APPLY NOW or if you have any questions before applying, or if this role isn't quite right for you, feel free to contact the Vet Seekers team to chat through your veterinary career aspirations in confidence.

Quote job reference: 25-45422

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