Veterinary Surgeon – Early-Career Role
Salary up to £52,000 DOE
Oaks Vets is looking for a Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and supportive small animal team across our three well-established Ayrshire sites.
This role would suit a Veterinary Surgeon with some post-graduate experience who is looking to further develop their clinical and surgical skills within a supportive first-opinion environment. You'll have the opportunity to build your confidence across consultations, surgery and diagnostics while working alongside an experienced clinical team with a wide range of interests and certificate qualifications.
We welcome applications from vets with experience in first-opinion practice and a desire to continue building their confidence and expertise. Whether you're looking to develop your surgical skills, explore a particular clinical interest or simply gain further experience within a collaborative team, Oaks Vets can offer plenty of support along the way.
Practice Highlights
• Long-established three-site small animal practice across Ayrshire
• Varied first-opinion caseload across consultations, surgery and diagnostics
• Experienced clinical team with certificate holders in Surgery, Medicine, Nutrition, Diagnostic Imaging/Radiography and Feline Medicine
• Supportive environment for developing your clinical and surgical skills
• Opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and explore your own clinical interests
• Recently refurbished practice facilities with modern equipment
• Friendly, collaborative team culture with a strong focus on mentoring and knowledge sharing
• Opportunity to work across all three practices, providing variety to your working week
What you’ll be stepping into
As a Veterinary Surgeon, you'll be supported to develop your clinical and surgical skills while delivering high-quality care to our patients and clients. You'll manage a varied first-opinion caseload across consultations, surgery and diagnostics, with experienced colleagues and certificate holders on hand to provide support and share their knowledge. There will be plenty of opportunity to build your confidence through day-to-day case exposure, develop your own clinical interests and work collaboratively with the wider team.
The full time role includes 40 hours per week, typically worked across 4x 10-hour days (8:30am–7:30pm), giving you one weekday off each week. Part-time and job-share applications are also welcomed, with days and hours open for discussion to find a pattern that works for both you and the practice. You'll have the opportunity to work across all Oaks sites and will be part of a rota covering 1 in 11 full weekends and 1 in 11 Saturday morning shifts at our Largs practice. Saturday shifts are either 8:30am–4:00pm or 10:00am–4:00pm depending on the rota and site, with no out-of-hours responsibilities.
This role would suit a Veterinary Surgeon with some post-graduate experience who is looking to continue building their confidence and expertise within first-opinion practice. Unfortunately, the role isn't suitable for new graduates or vets requiring a structured graduate development programme; please refer to our IVC Graduate Academy for graduate opportunities.
Life in Ayrshire
Based on Scotland's beautiful west coast, Oaks Vets offers a great location for both work and life, with beaches, coastal walks and countryside all close by. With excellent transport links to Glasgow, you can enjoy the benefits of coastal living while remaining within easy reach of the city.
Ayrshire also offers plenty to enjoy outside of work, from outdoor adventures and watersports to golf, picturesque villages and local cafés.
How We’ll Support You
We’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
* 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
What We Offer Our Team
* 6.8 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