Veterinary Surgeon - Equine
Ardene House Veterinary Practice Ltd, Kingswells Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland
Set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland’s northeast coast, Ardene House Veterinary Practice has proudly served its community for many years, earning the trust of generations of clients. We’re now looking for a passionate and forward-thinking Equine Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and supportive team at our Kingswells practice in Aberdeen. This is a permanent position offering a rewarding and varied caseload that reflects the diversity of our patients—from beloved family ponies to elite competition horses.
This role offers true flexibility and can be tailored to suit your clinical interests. You’ll be involved in a wide range of responsibilities, including thorough physical examinations, diagnostic workups, and developing treatment plans across a broad spectrum of equine conditions. Routine care such as vaccinations, dentistry, and ambulatory visits are part of the day-to-day, along with shared emergency and out-of-hours work. We also welcome orthopaedic, surgical, and medical referrals from surrounding practices, providing excellent opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative and well-equipped environment.
Our flexible approach to rota patterns and working hours truly tips the scale on your work life balance. We know that everyone has demands and priorities outside of their career and we want to make it brilliantly easy for you to strike the right balance.
The full-time hours for this role would be 40 hours per week however we are open to speaking to candidates looking for part time / flexible working hours. Our current out-of-hours rota is 1:8, supported by a dedicated on-call vet, with a Friday off after a weekend on-call. Whether you are looking to fix or flex your work patterns, we can find the right solution for you.
Salary
A salary of up to £65,000 pro rata per annum depending on experience.
Welcome bonus of £5,000
Relocation allowance of up to £5,000
About us
Our modern, purpose-built equine unit at Ardene House is equipped to support best clinical practice, with seven stables, dedicated trot-up areas, a synthetic surface outdoor school, treatment room, stocks, knockdown box, and a fully equipped surgical theatre. We also offer a wide range of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, including portable DR radiography, multiple ultrasound scanners, surgical and rehab lasers, and video arthroscopy and endoscopy. You’ll be joining a truly collaborative and friendly team of international equine vets, an equine RVN, nursing assistants, and office staff who share a passion for delivering high-quality care in a supportive, inclusive environment. With open communication, clinical discussions, and a healthy dose of humour at the heart of our culture, you’ll be supported by colleagues with advanced qualifications in internal medicine, dentistry, and ECC, alongside visiting specialists and regular CPD activities such as journal clubs and case discussions.
Working in Aberdeenshire offers the perfect blend of peaceful countryside living and convenient access to city life. From paddleboarding along the coast to hiking in the Cairngorms or taking a relaxing stroll on Balmedie Beach, the region is a paradise for nature lovers. At the same time, Aberdeen City offers a vibrant cultural scene with theatres, galleries, restaurants, and shopping, giving you plenty of options to enjoy your time off and feel part of a thriving community.
Applicant Requirements
You must RCVS registered, have a strong work ethic and a desire to provide a high-quality service to our clients. We are seeking an excellent communicator with empathic bed side manner. Confident in routine surgery, with the ability to work both sole charge and as a part of a team.
Benefits
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
*6.8 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