Abbey Vet Centre, Chester Le Street, North East

Discipline: Small Animal

Full Time, Part Time, Flexible

Up to £60,000 DOE pro rata

Discover a new challenge

Abbey Vets are looking for an enthusiastic Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and supportive team on a 9-month fixed-term maternity cover contract. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a well-established, collaborative practice where high clinical standards and strong team support are a priority.

You will enjoy a varied first opinion caseload with a balanced mix of consulting and surgery, working alongside experienced colleagues who are always willing to share knowledge and provide guidance. Whether you are an experienced vet or looking to further develop your skills within a supportive environment, this role offers an excellent platform to grow and thrive clinically.

Abbey Vets is a well-established, modern small animal practice with a strong reputation for delivering high standards of first opinion care across the local community. We are proud to provide a calm, professional, and welcoming environment for patients, clients, and colleagues alike, and are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care in a setting designed to support both clinical excellence and wellbeing.

Our practice offers:

A large and experienced clinical team of 10 Veterinary Surgeons supported by a skilled nursing and support team
Certificate holders within the team in surgery, dentistry, and medicine, supporting strong clinical development and case discussion
A varied first opinion caseload with a balanced mix of consultations, medical work-ups, and surgical procedures
A supportive training practice environment focused on learning and professional development
Modern, well-equipped facilities including dental radiography, laparoscopic equipment, ultrasound, and separate dog and cat wards and waiting areas
A genuinely collaborative approach to case management with strong internal referral and discussion culture
A focus on high clinical standards and excellent patient experience

About IVC Evidensia

IVC Evidensia 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 IVC Evidensia, 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 Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon at Abbey Vets, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality clinical care across a varied first opinion caseload, contributing to a supportive and collaborative clinical environment.

You’ll work closely with experienced colleagues to provide excellent patient and client care, while continuing to develop your own clinical confidence and interests.

Key responsibilities include:

Delivering consultations and managing a varied first opinion caseload
Performing routine surgical procedures and supporting medical work-ups
Contributing to inpatient care and continuity of cases
Working collaboratively within a supportive and experienced clinical team
Participating in a balanced mix of consulting and surgical duties
Supporting high standards of clinical care and client communication

Working pattern:

40 hours per week over 4 days (Monday–Friday, 8am–7pm)
1 in 5 Saturday rota (8am–2pm)
No out-of-hours commitment
No bank holiday working
Part-time and flexible working options considered

Location, Lifestyle & Culture

Abbey Vets is based across Durham and Chester-le-Street, offering an excellent balance of city convenience and countryside living. The area provides easy access to vibrant city amenities, historic surroundings, and beautiful rural landscapes, making it an ideal location for those seeking both professional opportunity and quality of life outside of work.

At Abbey Vets, we pride ourselves on a positive and inclusive culture where teamwork, communication, and mutual support are central to how we work. It’s a friendly and welcoming environment where colleagues are encouraged to collaborate, share knowledge, and support one another in delivering excellent care.

How We’ll Support You 

What We Offer Our Team