At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.
Penmellyn Vets, part of the ivc, is looking for a confident Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our thriving, multi-site team in beautiful Cornwall.
Established for over 130 years, our practice has built a trusted reputation for delivering exceptional patient care. As both a first-opinion and referral hospital, we offer a varied and rewarding caseload that provides excellent opportunities to develop your clinical skills while working alongside a highly experienced team.
You'll enjoy a genuine balance of consultations and surgery, with the opportunity to work cases through from diagnosis to treatment. Our patients include cats, dogs, rabbits, small furries and the occasional wildlife case brought in by the local community. Thanks to our hospital status, you'll have exposure to everything from routine procedures through to orthopaedic, soft tissue and more advanced surgical cases, with plenty of support to pursue your own clinical interests.
Our modern facilities are equipped with advanced technology, including CT, laparoscopy, endoscopy, digital and dental radiography, laser therapy and a wide range of additional diagnostic equipment, allowing you to deliver the very best patient care.
You'll become part of a collaborative team of 27 Veterinary Surgeons, supported by a large team of RVNs and dedicated Client Care colleagues. Our clinical team includes certificate holders and Advanced Practitioners in orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, emergency and critical care, cardiology and internal medicine, alongside visiting ophthalmology and cardiology specialists. Professional development is actively encouraged, with full support available for CPD and certificate study
Unfortunately, this role is not suitable for new graduates or vets requiring a structured graduate development programme.
- Hospital providing both first-opinion and referral services.
- Excellent balance of consultations and surgery.
- Varied caseload including routine, orthopaedic and soft tissue procedures.
- Opportunity to develop and pursue your own clinical interests.
- Advanced facilities including CT, laparoscopy, endoscopy, laser therapy and digital imaging.
- Collaborative team of 27 Veterinary Surgeons and experienced RVNs.
- Work alongside certificate holders, Advanced Practitioners and visiting specialists.
- Strong support for CPD and certificate study.
- Fantastic Cornwall location with an outstanding lifestyle and coastline on your doorstep.
As a 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.
Working Pattern
- Full-time, 4-day working week.
- Saturday consulting shifts: 8:30am – 4:30pm.
- Sunday surgery shifts: 8:30am – 4:30pm.
- No out-of-hours requirements.
- Part-time applications are welcome
General Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality medical and surgical care across a varied first opinion caseload
- Build strong client relationships through excellent communication and continuity of care
- Work cases up to a high standard while utilising referral support where appropriate
- Collaborate with Veterinary Surgeons, RVNs and support colleagues to deliver exceptional patient outcomes
- Contribute to clinical discussions, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives
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 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 the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
At inspiring vet care, 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 Academy training centres and 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 and RCVS fees
- Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
- Retail discounts and cashback offers
- Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
Salary up to £65,000 DOE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
