Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal Old Church Vets | Co Donegal Full-time, Permanent Salary up to €70,000 DOE Preferred start date January 2027 A Small Animal Role with Real Variety & Support If you’re an experienced small animal vet looking for a role where you can take ownership of your cases, work within a genuinely supportive team, and enjoy a varied caseload, this is a fantastic opportunity to step into a well-established practice. You’ll join a progressive practice environment, where small animal work is at the heart of the day-to-day caseload but with the added benefit of being part of a wider, experienced and collaborative team. A Role Where You Can Truly Clinically Thrive This position offers a rewarding mix of consulting, surgery, and case work-ups, with the opportunity to follow cases through from start to finish. With excellent in-house facilities, referrals are kept to a minimum, giving you the chance to develop confidence and clinical depth in your decision-making. You will be trusted with sole charge responsibilities at times, making this an ideal step for a confident vet who enjoys autonomy but also values having a strong team around them for support and collaboration. A Structured Rota That Respects Your Time Work-life balance is genuinely prioritised here. You’ll work a structured and predictable schedule, with protected time off so you can fully switch off when you’re away from work. Your working week will typically run Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm, alongside a 1 in 5 rota for nights and weekends, including a light Saturday commitment. Crucially, no phone triage is required, as calls are screened by an experienced admin team before reaching the on-call vet. An Established Practice with a Strong Reputation Old Church Veterinary Group has been caring for animals since 1954 and is deeply rooted in the local community. Operating across three sites, including a beautifully converted 19th-century hospital in Donegal Town, the practice blends heritage charm with modern veterinary medicine. The team consists of 8 vets, 6 RVNs, and a dedicated support team, all working together with a strong sense of camaraderie, respect, and shared clinical pride. Facilities are extensive and include a full IDEXX lab, ultrasound, digital X-ray, endoscopy, laser therapy, physiotherapy, and orthopaedic capabilities, allowing for a high standard of in-house care. Who This Role Will Suit This opportunity is best suited to a confident and capable small animal vet who is comfortable with a first opinion caseload and enjoys taking responsibility for their work. You’ll be VCI registered, have demonstratable clinical experience, and be confident working both independently and as part of a close-knit team. What matters most is a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong team ethos. A Benefits Package That Supports You Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from a package designed to support both your professional growth and personal wellbeing including: Work Life Balance & Employee Wellbeing * 22 days Annual Leave & Birthday leave *Paid Maternity, Paternity & Adoptive Leave Packages *Cycle to Work Scheme *Full access to EAP and Wellbeing Centre *Paid Bereavement Leave & Company Sick Pay Development *€1300 annual CPD allowance with 5 days paid CPD days pro rata *Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue *Career Progression Opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical Professional Memberships *VCI membership paid *VDS cover paid Additional Benefits *Annual Pay Reviews *Dedicated CARE fund – annual contribution of €1,100 from IVC Evidensia for each Vet to use on a case of your choice to ensure successful outcome with your patient (T& C’s apply) * Pawesome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers *Employer Pension Contributions *Free Flu Inoculations *Discounted Veterinary Fees *Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more) Join a Team That Values What You Bring This is more than a maternity cover role — it’s an opportunity to step into a welcoming, experienced team, build your confidence in a supportive setting, and enjoy a role that offers clinical variety, autonomy, and balance. If you’re looking for your next move in a practice where you can feel trusted, supported, and genuinely part of the team, we’d love to hear from you.