Veterinary Surgeon – Downham Market, Norfolk
2 days ago 
37 views
Salary
£70,000
Company
Candor Vets
Contact
Tim Evans
Downham Market, Norfolk, United Kingdom
24-hour hospital | Genuine clinical depth | Strong team culture
If You Are Looking for More Than Just Another Vet Job
If you are an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys proper medicine, values teamwork, and wants to feel proud of the care you deliver at 3pm and 3am alike, this could be the role that finally feels sustainable.
The Opportunity
We are working with a well established, RCVS-accredited hospital and practice group in rural Norfolk that has built something genuinely impressive over the last decade. What started as a single site has grown into a two-location service offering 24-hour care, without losing its heart or its standards.
This team is busy, progressive, and unapologetically patient focused. They believe in diagnostic-led decision making, while staying grounded in the realities of client needs and real-world medicine. You would be joining a practice that reviews how it works constantly, not because something is broken, but because it wants to keep getting better.
They are now looking for a Veterinary Surgeon with at least 18 months’ experience, confident in first opinion practice, and ready to be part of a large, supportive clinical team that genuinely shares responsibility.
Why This Role Is Different
Shift patterns are structured and predictable, with a mix of early, mid, and late shifts:
- Early shifts run from 7:00am to 4:00pm
- Day shifts run from 8:30am to 5:30pm
- Late shifts run from 10:00am to 7:00pm
Weekend cover follows normal Saturday opening hours from 8:30am to 12:30pm, followed by emergency care through to 8:30am Monday morning. Weekend duties are shared on a 1:5 rota, ensuring fair distribution and protected time off.
Proper 24-Hour Care, Properly Supported
This is a true hospital environment with waking night shifts, structured handovers, and senior vet support available at all times. Nights are rota-based at 1:9, followed by a full 7-day recovery period, with an additional night allowance paid.
A Team That Feels Like a Tribe
You will be part of a team of nearly 60, including experienced vets, a strong nursing leadership team, and dedicated admin support. Collaboration is expected, encouraged, and modelled from the top.
Clinical Standards That Are Lived, Not Laminated
RCVS Hospital Standard status is backed up by clear SOPs, regular audits, thorough clinical notes, and a culture of accountability without blame.
Variety Without Chaos
You will rotate between a hospital site and a nearby general practice, just 25 minutes apart. Shifts are planned in advance, and short notice changes are kept to a minimum wherever possible.
Your Journey Here
In Your First Month
You will focus on settling in, learning systems, building trust with colleagues, and getting comfortable with the clinical flow across both sites.
By Three Months
You will be confidently managing your own caseload, contributing to clinical discussions, supporting nurses and colleagues, and identifying areas of CPD that genuinely interest you.
By Six Months
You will be a trusted member of the vet team, potentially mentoring graduates, contributing to audits or special projects, and helping shape how the practice continues to evolve.
What’s On Offer
Compensation and Time Off
- £45,000 to £70,000 salary, depending on experience
- 5.6 weeks annual leave, increasing with service
- Your birthday off, every year
- Paid night allowance on top of salary
Professional Development
- Uncapped CPD, with approval
- Full support to meet RCVS CPD requirements
- Opportunities to mentor graduates or act as a VetGDP supervisor
Benefits That Actually Feel Human
- Private healthcare
- Pension scheme
- Staff discounts
- Relocation assistance if needed
- Paid sick leave up to 5 days per year
- £100 book vouchers for your children on their birthdays, up to age 16
- Monthly lucky dip, because small things matter
The Candor Vets Difference
At Candor Vets, we do not push roles or rush decisions. We take time to understand what you actually want from your career, and we only introduce opportunities that genuinely fit.
Ready to Explore?
If this sounds like a place where you could practice high-quality medicine, feel supported by your team, and still have a life outside of work, let’s have a confidential, no-pressure conversation.
Job Reference VS047
Tel: 02392 006 123
Address:
Downham Market, Norfolk, United Kingdom