Job Description

Veterinary Surgeon - Mixed Animal
Castle Veterinary Group, Castlewellan, Belfast, Northern Ireland & Isle of Man
Discipline: Mixed
Full Time, Part Time, Flexible
Salary up to 65,000 DOE

Salary up to 65,000 DOE and Welcome Bonus up to 5,000

Join our friendly and forward thinking team at Castle Veterinary Group where you can embrace variety, growth, and outstanding teamwork

Are you a passionate and motivated vet looking for your next career move in a supportive and collaborative environment? At Castle Veterinary Group, we're excited to welcome a Mixed Animal Veterinary Surgeon to our dynamic, experienced team. Whether you're eager to expand your clinical expertise, enjoy a varied and rewarding caseload, or simply find a team that truly values your contribution, you'll feel right at home here.

A True Mixed Practice Where No Two Days Are the Same

With two well-established practices in Castlewellan and Downpatrick, you'll enjoy the full spectrum of mixed practice life. While this role leans more toward large animal work, there's plenty of opportunity to stay sharp on the small animal side too.

On the farm animal front, you'll work with progressive beef and dairy herds ranging from 20 to 600 animals. From TB testing and routine herd checks to spring calving, lambing, fertility scanning and herd health planning, your days will be filled with hands-on variety. You'll need a full driving license, as you'll be out and about on local farms as a vital part of our large animal team.

When you're in the clinic, you'll care for dogs, cats, and small furries. Our small animal caseload blends consultations with surgical procedures, with a slight bias toward consults. Whatever the task, you'll have the support of a team who are always ready to share knowledge, pitch in and have your back.

Work With the Best - Outstanding Facilities and Support

We've invested heavily in our facilities to ensure you can deliver the highest standard of care. Both sites are purpose-built, each with two veterinary consult rooms and separate operating theatres, and our Downpatrick branch also includes a dedicated nurse consultation room. Our equipment includes digital radiography, advanced ultrasound with Doppler for cardiology and soft tissue work, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, and arthroscopy. On the large animal side, we're equipped with two lab areas and mobile scanning units for fertility work, plus stock facilities for equine reproductive procedures. We also have in-house expertise in complex orthopaedic surgeries, including TPLOs and TTAs.

As a practice, we are also committed to supporting the local community and frequently collaborate with charities and outreach programs.

Develop your career and find your people

Our team is our biggest strength. You'll be joining a friendly and skilled group of 13 vets, including three recent graduates, alongside nine fantastic RVNs and 11 support staff. Among us are certificate holders in advanced small animal surgery and medicine, and we regularly host a visiting cardiology specialist. If you're interested in pursuing further qualifications, we offer full support for certificates though there's no pressure if that's not your path. Our nursing team plays a crucial role in patient care, running their own clinics focused on wellness checks, vaccinations, post-operative care, and nutrition advice.

We care about your work life balance

We offer flexible working patterns that flex with you and your lifestyle. Whether you are looking to flex your rota hours to balance the school holidays, fix to navigate the school runs or just looking to strike that balance between home and work life. We can offer flexibility that works for all team members.

Our standard full-time rota is 40 hours per week, and our out-of-hours commitment is just 1:8.

A Beautiful Place to Call Home

Our practices are located in the picturesque towns of Castlewellan and Downpatrick in County Down, Northern Ireland. Castlewellan is known for its stunning forest park, scenic walking trails, and the peaceful lake set against the dramatic Mourne Mountains.



Downpatrick offers a charming mix of history, culture, and community, with St. Patrick's Cathedral, local shops, cafes, and welcoming locals. And when you're in the mood for a city break, Belfast and the nearest airport are just an hour away.

If you're looking for a place to grow your career, enjoy real variety, and be part of a genuinely supportive team, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and take the next step with Castle Veterinary Group.

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -#

Work-life balance

7 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday#

Wellbeing

Private Medical Insurance
Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing#

Development

1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
Certificate support
Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
All our Vets get 1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund
Infection Prevention and Control Programme
Quality Improvement Programme#

Professional Memberships

BVA membership
VDS cover
RCVS fees#

Colleague Benefits

Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
Castle Veterinary Group, Castlewellan
8 Dublin Road, Castlewellan, Belfast, BT31 9AQ, United Kingdom

Animals treated

Farm animals
Exotic Friendly
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 Amelia Bateman from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.#

Talent Partner

Amelia Bateman

amelia.bateman@ivcevidensia.com