Opportunities in Dundalk, Louth, Ireland, Ireland

Veterinary Surgeon (Small Animal)

Avenue Veterinary Hospital, Dundalk, Co. Louth Full-Time | Permanent Salary up to €65,000 DOE (FTE) Flexible working arrangements considered for the right candidate

Build Your Veterinary Career in a Practice Where You Can Truly Thrive Avenue Veterinary Hospital is excited to welcome applications from passionate Small Animal Veterinary Surgeons who enjoy the variety and satisfaction of first-opinion practice. Whether you're a junior clinician ready to take the next step in your career or a more experienced vet looking for a supportive environment with genuine opportunities for growth, this could be the ideal role for you. We're proud to be a friendly, well-established practice where teamwork, clinical standards and patient care are at the heart of everything we do. Our team enjoys working together, supporting one another and creating a positive workplace where people feel valued, respected and encouraged to develop their skills. If you're looking for a role that offers clinical variety, professional development, work-life balance and the opportunity to shape your own area of interest, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Avenue Veterinary Hospital? At Avenue Vets, we understand that the best patient care comes from a team that feels supported, motivated and fulfilled in their work. That's why we've created an environment where collaboration is encouraged, resources are readily available and professional development is genuinely invested in. This position offers the opportunity to work in a busy and rewarding small animal hospital with a diverse caseload and a loyal client base. You'll have the freedom to manage cases thoroughly, develop strong client relationships and practice high-quality medicine without the pressures often associated with out-of-hours commitments. Perhaps most importantly, you'll be joining a team where your ideas, ambitions and contributions matter. Whether you're interested in developing advanced surgical skills, pursuing a certificate, or building expertise in an area such as surgery, ophthalmology, or another discipline, we'll support you in achieving your goals.

The Role This is a full-time permanent position working a 40-hour week across five days. We firmly believe in providing an excellent work-life balance, which is why there are no out-of-hours commitments, no Sunday shifts and no Bank Holiday working. This allows for a predictable schedule and more time to enjoy life outside of work. The role is a true first-opinion small animal GP position, offering an engaging mix of consultations, routine and advanced soft tissue surgery, medical case work-ups, diagnostics and inpatient care. You'll have the support, equipment and clinical freedom needed to investigate cases properly and deliver a high standard of care from start to finish. For candidates with a strong surgical interest, this position presents an especially exciting opportunity. We are keen to develop the surgical offering within the hospital and would welcome a Veterinary Surgeon who would enjoy taking ownership of this area, building surgical caseloads and potentially pursuing further qualifications in the future. At the same time, we recognise that not every clinician's passion lies in surgery. Whether your interests are in medicine, ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging or another area of practice, we're committed to supporting individual career aspirations and helping you develop a rewarding clinical niche. This is a role where you can genuinely shape your future while continuing to enjoy the variety and satisfaction of general practice.

What We're Looking For We're seeking a VCI-registered Veterinary Surgeon with previous experience working within a first-opinion small animal practice. Veterinarians at a range of experience levels will be considered. However, applicants should be capable of working independently when required, as some weekend and evening shifts involve sole charge responsibilities. For this reason, the position is not suitable for newly graduated veterinarians who require continuous support and supervision. The ideal candidate will be confident, approachable and committed to delivering excellent patient and client care. You'll enjoy working as part of a collaborative team while also feeling comfortable making clinical decisions independently when needed. A particular interest in surgery would be highly advantageous, although this is by no means essential. Above all, we're looking for someone who shares our commitment to high standards, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Modern Facilities to Support Excellent Clinical Care Avenue Veterinary Hospital is a purpose-built, 100% small animal hospital equipped with all the technology and facilities expected in a progressive veterinary practice. Our hospital features digital radiography, ultrasound, an in-house IDEXX biochemistry and haematology laboratory, a fully equipped surgical suite, dedicated dog and cat wards, isolation facilities and a spacious treatment area. These facilities allow our team to work cases up thoroughly, provide an excellent standard of care and offer clients a comprehensive range of veterinary services under one roof.

About Avenue Veterinary Hospital For more than 30 years, Avenue Vets has been providing exceptional care to pets and their owners throughout Dundalk and the surrounding region. Our team currently consists of three Veterinary Surgeons, three Veterinary Nurses and four dedicated administrative team members who work closely together to create a welcoming and supportive environment for both clients and colleagues. We have built our reputation on compassionate care, clinical excellence and strong relationships with our community. As a practice, we value open communication, teamwork and a shared commitment to always doing what's best for our patients.

Life in Dundalk Located on Ireland's east coast, Dundalk offers an exceptional quality of life with the perfect blend of convenience, community and outdoor living. The town boasts a vibrant social scene, excellent cafés and restaurants, beautiful coastal scenery and easy access to the Cooley Peninsula, Carlingford and a range of outdoor activities. With both Dublin and Belfast approximately an hour away, Dundalk is ideally situated for commuters and those looking to enjoy everything the northeast region has to offer. Whether you're relocating or already local, Dundalk is a fantastic place to build both your career and your lifestyle.

What We Offer In addition to a competitive salary of up to €65,000 DOE (FTE), you'll benefit from a comprehensive package designed to support your wellbeing, professional development and long-term career growth. We are passionate about investing in our people and creating opportunities for our team members to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. From funded qualifications and career progression pathways to generous CPD support and unique clinical initiatives, you'll have the tools and encouragement to develop the career you want.

Benefits (subject to pro-rata) Work Life Balance *22 days Annual Leave *Birthday Leave (paid day off on your birthday)

Focus on Employee Wellbeing *Paid Maternity Leave Package *Paid Paternity Leave *Cycle to Work Scheme *Full access to EAP and Wellbeing Centre *Paid Bereavement Leave *Company Sick Pay

Development *€1300 annual CPD allowance with 5 days paid CPD days pro rata *Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue *Career Progression Opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical *Care Fund – Annual contribution of €1,100 to use on a case of your choice to ensure a successful outcome with your patient

Professional Memberships *VCI membership paid *VDS cover paid

Additional Benefits *Annual Pay Reviews *Pawesome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers *Employer Pension Contributions *Free Flu Inoculations *Discounted Veterinary Fees *Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Nurses Committee, Clinical Board and many more)

Join Our Team If you're looking for a veterinary role where you'll be supported to grow, encouraged to pursue your interests and trusted to make a meaningful contribution every day, Avenue Veterinary Hospital could be the perfect next step in your career.

Join a welcoming team, enjoy a varied and rewarding caseload, and build your future in a practice that is committed to helping both its patients and its people thrive.