Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll join Cliffe Vets’ thriving small animal department as a Primary Care Veterinary Surgeon, working collaboratively with a supportive team of 10 vets, 11 nurses, and 14 support staff. This full-time or part-time role offers genuine work-life balance: whilst weekend consults and inpatient care are shared on a rota basis, there’s no out-of-hours on-call commitment. Following a weekend shift, you’ll enjoy a 3.5-day working week—a real commitment to sustainable practice.

Based in the charming historic market town of Lewes, you’re just 10 miles from Brighton, an hour by train to London, and 30 minutes from Gatwick. The practice is exceptionally well-equipped with TTA, TPLO, ASIF, laparoscopy, digital radiography, dental X-ray, endoscopy, ultrasound and Doppler, supported by an in-house laboratory technician handling extensive diagnostics. Your caseload will be genuinely varied—consults, surgeries, and rotations across three local branches ensure you never fall into routine.

This is a forward-thinking, RCVS-accredited practice where continuous professional development isn’t just encouraged, it’s embedded in the culture. You’ll be part of a friendly, diverse team where people stay for years, and the working environment is genuinely a pleasure to be part of.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-standard patient and client care across a varied surgical and medical caseload
• Conduct consultations and surgical procedures, with workload equally shared across the three branches
• Manage weekend consults and inpatient care on a rota basis (with a 3.5 day working week following a weekend shift)
• Contribute to the clinical culture by sharing knowledge and supporting colleague development
• Develop your own clinical interests and skills within a supportive team environment
• Work collaboratively with 10 veterinary surgeons, 11 nurses, and 14 support staff to deliver exceptional care

Requirements

• Veterinary degree with RCVS registration (or eligibility to register)
• Growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• Proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback
• Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Driving licence (necessary to travel between local practices)
• Desire to consult and operate (preferred)

Benefits

• Leave & Wellbeing: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off; private medical insurance; enhanced family-friendly leave and pay; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD; access to IVC Evidensia Academy training centres; certificate and advanced learning support; Vetlexicon online resources
• Financial Support: £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Colleague Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies); retail discounts and cashback offers; reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Career Progression: Clear pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles; access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks

About the Practice

Cliffe Vets is a progressive, large mixed practice with dedicated Small Animal, Farm, and Equine departments, serving the Lewes community from their base on Cliffe High Street. As part of IVC Evidensia—the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals—Cliffe benefits from significant investment in equipment, training, and culture whilst maintaining its independent, community-focused identity.

IVC Evidensia’s purpose is happier animals, happier owners. The group invests in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage. Cliffe Vets is RCVS accredited and fully equipped to handle complex cases in-house, with a full-time laboratory technician ensuring rapid diagnostics and exceptional patient outcomes.