Vetcare, Athy, Athy

Discipline: Small Animal

Full Time, Part Time, Flexible

Up to €80,000 DOE

Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal 

Vetcare | Athy, Co Kildare

Full-time, Permanent

Salary up to €80,000 DOE

Join a Thriving, Supportive First Opinion Practice

Vetcare Athy is looking for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and collaborative team. As the flagship clinic within the Vetcare group, we offer a busy and varied caseload, excellent facilities, and the opportunity to work alongside experienced colleagues who are passionate about delivering high-quality patient care.

This is an excellent opportunity for a vet who enjoys the pace and variety of first opinion practice and is looking to join a well-organised clinic where clinical standards, teamwork, and patient care are at the heart of everything we do.

The Role

This is a full-time position working Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm, with a 1 in 4 Saturday rota from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

You will manage a broad caseload covering consultations, diagnostics, routine surgery, dentistry, and medical work-ups. The role offers a rewarding mix of medical and surgical cases, giving you the opportunity to apply and further develop your clinical skills within a supportive environment.

As part of the rota, there will be some periods of sole charge on Saturdays, so we are looking for someone confident in managing their own cases and making clinical decisions independently when required.

Importantly, there are no out-of-hours commitments, no Sunday working, and no bank holiday shifts, allowing you to maintain a healthy work-life balance alongside a fulfilling veterinary career.

Flexibility That Works for You

While this role is advertised as full-time, we welcome conversations with experienced veterinary surgeons seeking alternative working arrangements. Whether you are looking for reduced hours or a different working pattern, we are open to discussing options wherever possible.

To ensure fairness across the team, participation in the 1 in 4 Saturday rota is a requirement of the role.

A Well-Equipped Practice Designed for Great Clinical Care

Vetcare Athy combines the benefits of a busy first opinion practice with the facilities needed to investigate and manage cases to a high standard.

Our practice is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities, including digital radiography, dental radiography, ultrasound, a dedicated dental suite, and in-house IDEXX laboratory equipment. These resources allow our team to provide thorough work-ups and excellent patient care without unnecessary limitations.

Alongside a strong first opinion caseload, the practice also supports more complex investigations and procedures, offering additional clinical exposure for those with a particular interest in medicine, dentistry, or advanced case management.

Work Alongside an Experienced Team

You will be joining a supportive team of three Veterinary Surgeons and four Registered Veterinary Nurses who work closely together to achieve the best outcomes for patients and clients.

The veterinary team includes certificate holders in Small Animal Medicine and Orthopaedics, providing an excellent environment for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development.

Our culture is built around teamwork, mutual support, and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality veterinary medicine. We value individuals who take pride in their work, contribute positively to the team, and enjoy building strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

Who We're Looking For

This position is ideally suited to an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon who is confident in all aspects of routine first opinion practice.

You will be comfortable managing consultations, diagnostics, routine soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and ongoing case management. You should be capable of working up your own cases, communicating treatment plans clearly, and contributing as part of a collaborative clinical team.

This role is not suitable for new graduates or veterinary surgeons who require structured mentorship in first opinion medicine or surgery. We are looking for someone who can step into a busy practice environment with confidence and make an immediate contribution to the team.

A particular interest in dentistry or small animal medicine would be highly valued, although it is by no means essential.

A Rewarding Package

In addition to a competitive salary of up to €80,000 depending on experience, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your professional development and personal wellbeing.

Work Life Balance & Employee Wellbeing

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

Career Development

€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, Clinical Board and many more)

Ready for Your Next Move?

If you're an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking for a high-quality GP role within a supportive, well-equipped practice, we'd love to hear from you.

Join a team where you can focus on delivering excellent veterinary care, enjoy the variety of first opinion practice, and work alongside colleagues who genuinely value collaboration, clinical standards, and professional growth.