Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon (12-Month FTC) | Colne, Lancashire

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join a well-established first-opinion hospital team in Colne, Lancashire on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This full-time role offers strong clinical exposure, excellent facilities and a supportive, collaborative environment with flexibility around working patterns.

Full Time | £40,000 – £60,000 | 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Key Details

• Role: Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

• Location: Colne, Lancashire

• Contract: 12-month FTC

• Hours: Full time (flexible options considered)

• Out of Hours: Participation required

• Weekend OOH: Approx. 1.5 in 8

• Weeknight OOH: Approx. 1 night every other week

• Contract Type: Fixed term

The Practice

• Established small animal hospital with additional branch support

• High and varied first-opinion caseload

• Large, experienced multidisciplinary team

• Certificate holders across medicine, dentistry and ECC

• Dedicated night nursing team providing overnight inpatient care

• Strong focus on wellbeing, teamwork and professional development

Facilities include digital x-ray, ultrasound, flexible and rigid endoscopy, two theatres with multiparameter monitoring, dental suite with dental x-ray, extensive in-house laboratory, multiple consulting rooms and separate canine and feline wards.

The Role

• First-opinion GP veterinary role within a hospital environment

• Managing a varied caseload with strong clinical support

• Opportunity to develop skills across medicine, surgery and ECC

• Working alongside experienced colleagues and certificate holders

• Suitable for vets who have completed VetGDP and are confident with routine consultations and surgery

• CPD and certificate development actively encouraged

Out of Hours Structure

• In-house OOH service with strong nursing support overnight

• Dedicated night RVNs handle phones and inpatient care

• Weekend rota approx. 1.5 in 8 with generous TOIL

• Examples of TOIL include:

  • On-call Friday / work Saturday morning / Sunday on-call → Monday & Tuesday off

  • On-call Saturday → Friday off in lieu, followed by extended time off

• Weeknight on-call approximately every other week with the following day off

• 8-week rolling rota allowing forward planning

• OOH answering service in place (no direct phone calls)

What We're Looking For

• RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon

• Experience in small animal first-opinion practice

• Completed VetGDP with confidence in routine surgery and consultations

• Enjoys working within a large, supportive team

• Keen to develop clinically and contribute to a positive team culture

Location Highlights

• Based in Colne, Lancashire

• Situated in the Ribble Valley area of East Lancashire

• Access to countryside, walking routes and outdoor activities

• Good transport links to surrounding towns and cities

Salary & Benefits

• Salary £40,000 – £60,000 per annum (DOE)

• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata)

• Holiday buy-back scheme available

• £1,700 CPD allowance per year

• 5 days' paid CPD leave (pro rata)

• CPD certificates encouraged and funded

• Paid RCVS membership and VDS cover

• Two additional professional subscriptions paid

• Employee Assistance Programme

• 1 paid volunteering day per year (pro rata)

• Corporate gym membership option

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Enhanced family leave policies

• Private medical insurance via payroll deduction

• Well-behaved pets welcome at work

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: 26-00132

📞 T: 0333 014 7374
📧 E: hello@vetseekers.co.uk
🌐 W: www.vetseekers.co.uk
💬 WhatsApp: 07542 919595

Your Privacy Matters – All conversations and applications are treated with the strictest confidence. As an ethical veterinary recruiter, we will never send your details anywhere without your permission.

Why Choose Vet Seekers?
Founded in 2016, Vet Seekers is a multi-award-winning specialist veterinary recruitment agency (2019–2025), acting as both an employment business and employment agency for locum and permanent veterinary roles across the UK and overseas.

• GDPR-compliant and ICO-registered
• Passionate about sustainability!
• Equal Opportunities Employer – We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities

Thanks from all of us at Vet Seekers – we look forward to supporting you!