Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England
Primary Care - Vet Surgeon – Small Animal /
IVC Evidensia UK [9025] /
On-site
Permanent Vet role with Ark House, Leighton Buzzard
Up to £65,000 (DOE)
Welcome bonus up to £3000 (pro rata)
Relocation support of £4000
 
As a proud member of Inspire vet care, Ark House are looking for talent to join the team!
 
Inspire vet care is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of happier animals, happier owners. 
 
At inspire vet care, we believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment—at every stage of their career. 
 
How You’ll Make a Difference 
 
As a Primary Care 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. 
 
A caseload with plenty of variety
 
Our patients include cats, dogs, rabbits, small furries and the occasional exotic or wildlife case brought in by our community-minded clients. We offer a great balance between consults and surgeries, with procedures typically including routine spays, castrates, lumpectomies, dentals and ECC work when required. We benefit from a wealth of in-house experience but also maintain excellent relationships with local practices to refer cases when appropriate.
 
The tools you'll need to flourish in your work
 
Our single-site practice sits within a converted house right in the town centre and is currently undergoing a renovation to give it a fresh new feel. Inside, you’ll find a spacious reception area, four consult rooms including a dedicated RVN room and another with a moveable wall for added flexibility. The practice benefits from a well-organised dispensary behind reception, prep area, theatre, separate cat and dog wards, a dedicated dental suite with dental X-ray, an X-ray room, and a lab equipped with a full IDEXX suite and a new microscope. There are also quiet office spaces for admin and a comfortable staff area with kitchen facilities, tea and coffee, weekly fruit deliveries and a good supply of snacks. On-site parking makes life that little bit easier too.
 
You’ll have access to everything you’d expect from a modern first-opinion practice, including X-ray, dental X-ray, ultrasound and a flexible endoscope. We’re looking for a vet who is confident in surgery and comfortable working sole charge when needed, supported by a capable, experienced nursing team.
 
The hours
 
Our full-time rota consists of four nine-hour days from Monday to Friday, with a 1 in 4 Saturday morning which runs from 8:30 until 1 and is sole charge. There is no out-of-hours work, allowing you to enjoy a predictable and healthy work-life balance.
 
Our fantastic team 
 
You'll be joining a friendly team of two vets, seven RVNs and a client care team of five including our Practice Manager. We also have visiting specialists in cardiology, diagnostics, soft tissue surgery and orthopaedics, with opportunities for mentoring and learning new techniques. If you're considering working towards a certificate, we’re more than happy to discuss how we can support you. We’re also proud to give back by supporting charities such as Cats Protection and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
 
A lovely place to live & work
 
Leighton Buzzard offers the best of both worlds, a peaceful Bedfordshire market town with beautiful countryside, riverside walks and a strong community spirit, while also boasting excellent transport links into London, Milton Keynes and beyond. The town centre is full of shops, cosy cafés and local markets, and the surrounding area offers stunning green spaces including Rushmere Country Park and the Chilterns. Whether you love exploring the outdoors, want easy connections for commuting or simply enjoy a friendly, welcoming place to settle, Leighton Buzzard has plenty to offer for anyone considering relocation.
 
You Might Be a Great Fit If... 
 
 
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 (or eligibility to register) 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

How We’ll Support You

At inspire 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 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

*6.6 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  

£0 - £0 a year
Up to X pa DOE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.