Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal (Surgical Focus)

Kernow Vet Group; Ireland; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary practice in Ireland is seeking a small animal Veterinary Surgeon with a surgical focus. This role involves managing a diverse caseload within a modern hospital and working collaboratively with an experienced team. The ideal candidate will have solid clinical experience and a passion for surgery, supported by ongoing professional development opportunities. Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in Tullamore, with comprehensive benefits including annual CPD allowance and additional holiday entitlement.

Benefits

22 days annual leave

Paid maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Annual CPD allowance of €1300

Access to EAP & Wellbeing Centre

Free Flu Vaccinations

Qualifications

• Solid clinical experience managing a caseload independently.
• Proficiency in small animal first-opinion work essential.
• Surgical experience or interest in pursuing a certificate is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload in a purpose-built animal hospital.
• Collaborate with a skilled team on complex cases.
• Provide clinical freedom and support for professional growth.

Skills

Clinical experience

Surgical interest

Team collaboration

Education

VCI-registered

Job description

Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal (Surgical Focus)

Salary up to €60,000 DOE

Full-time, Part-time, or Flexible working options

A fantastic surgical opportunity in the heart of Ireland

If you’re a small animal vet with a real passion for surgery and the ambition to develop further, this is one of those rare roles where you’ll genuinely get the freedom, support and caseload to grow. Tullamore Pet Hospital is a modern, friendly, forward-thinking practice right in the Midlands - less than an hour from Dublin, well linked to Galway and Limerick, and surrounded by lakes, trails, cafés, and affordable living. It’s an ideal place to build your career and enjoy your life outside of work.

What the Role Looks Like

This is a 100% small animal position in a purpose-built hospital designed for high-quality clinical work. You’ll enjoy a varied caseload that allows you to combine medical work-ups, routine and advanced consultations, and a broad surgical case mix.

You won’t be working alone - you’ll join a team with certificates in internal medicine and diagnostic imaging, giving you expert colleagues to collaborate on complex cases. The surgery side of the practice continues to grow, so if you’re keen to expand your surgical repertoire or take on more challenging procedures, there’s real room to make this role your own.

Your week will typically involve a four-and-a-half-day schedule, with hours generally between 8:30am and 6pm, plus a one-in-four Saturday morning. You’ll cover one night on call per week, while weekends and bank holidays are fully handled by our external OOH provider.

Tullamore offers the kind of balance most vets dream of: a vibrant, well-connected Midlands town with an easy pace of life, more space, and a noticeably lower cost of living - yet you're still less than an hour from Dublin by car or train. Whether you’re commuting to see friends, exploring the West, or enjoying everything the Midlands has to offer, Tullamore puts you right at the centre of it all.

Inside the hospital, you’ll find a bright, modern, purpose-built space designed for high-quality medicine and surgery. We’re fully equipped with comprehensive diagnostics, an in-house lab, theatre suites, digital radiography, ultrasound and the tools you need to work confidently and efficiently.

But the real standout is the team. We’re a close-knit group who genuinely enjoy working together- curious, collaborative, and refreshingly grounded. The practice currently has two full-time vets and one part-time vet, including colleagues with medicine certificates and another completing a diagnostic imaging certificate. Our nursing team includes three full-time RVNs, supported by two receptionists who keep the hospital running smoothly. This blend of experience means you’ll always have someone to bounce ideas off, especially on complex medical cases. And if your passion lies in surgery, there’s space to lean into that while knowing your colleagues can confidently support the imaging, medical or diagnostic side of the caseload when needed.

We believe in clinical freedom, open communication and genuine professional growth. If you have ideas, we’re keen to hear them. If you have ambitions, we’ll help you reach them. And if you want a workplace where your voice actually shapes how things are done, you’ll feel right at home here.

Are you the Perfect Fit?

We’re looking for a VCI-registered small animal vet with solid clinical experience who can confidently manage their own caseload. Proficiency in all areas of small-animal first-opinion work is essential.This role is not suitable for new graduates or those requiring mentorship.

A surgical interest - whether you’re already experienced or hoping to pursue a certificate - is a strong advantage. We offer full funding for certificates, diplomas and even PhDs, so if you’ve got ambition, the support is here to match it.

Comprehensive Benefits Package (subject to pro-rata)

We believe in investing in our people. In addition to a competitive salary and a long-term, stable role, you’ll benefit from:

• 22 days annual leave
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoptive leave packages
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company Sick Pay & Bereavement Leave
• Access to EAP & Wellbeing Centre
• €1300 annual CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave
• Full funding for any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue
• Opportunities for clinical and leadership progression
• VCI and VDS memberships fully covered
• Dedicated CARE fund - €1,100 annually to support exceptional cases

Additional Benefits

• Annual Pay Reviews
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Discounted Veterinary Fees across the IVC Evidensia network
• Free Flu Vaccinations
• Access to “Pawesome” Benefits – retail and lifestyle discount platform
• Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Nurses Committee, Clinical Board and many more)

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re looking for a role where you can build a surgical niche, work with a supportive and skilled team, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle in the heart of Ireland, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Apply today and discover what your next chapter could look like at Tullamore Pet Hospital.

At IVC Evidensia we are a committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.

Any questions before applying?

Speak to Shonagh Dawson from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.