Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week with Saturday mornings on rota but no out-of-hours duties. You'll be based mainly in Bognor and Chichester, with access to first opinion surgical cases and daytime emergencies alongside routine consultations. A consult-only position is also available for the right candidate. You'll join an experienced, collaborative team embedded in the beautiful South Sussex landscape, between the south coast and the South Downs, with easy access to central London by direct train.

Downland Veterinary Group has been serving West Sussex since 1947 and is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group. The practice is well-equipped and committed to clinical excellence, creating an excellent learning environment where you can develop your skills and interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality patient and client care across a varied caseload of routine medical and surgical cases
• Work collaboratively with a team of 10 vets, 15 RVNs, and support staff across West Sussex clinics
• Contribute to the clinical culture and support the ongoing development of colleagues
• Continue developing your clinical skills and interests while sharing knowledge with the team
• Participate in the Saturday morning rota

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and current RCVS registration (or eligibility to register)
• Experience working in clinical practice with 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, openness to feedback and development
• Professionalism, reliability, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience
• Relocation allowance available
• 6.8 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• CPD allowance and access to IVC Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees paid
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• Flexible working patterns that adapt to your lifestyle

About the Practice

Downland Veterinary Group is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. The West Sussex clinics (Bognor, Chichester, Selsey, and Barnham) have been established since 1947 and are extensively equipped with DR X-ray, dental X-ray, ultrasonography, laparoscopy, endoscopy, surgical theatres, capnography, and in-house laboratory facilities.

The team includes vets with special interests in dermatology, oncology, ECC, and dentistry, plus multiple nurse training centres and certificate holders in orthopaedics, surgery, medicine, cardiology, and imaging. Across the wider West Sussex group, there are 11 vets, and the group as a whole employs approximately 30 veterinary surgeons, 70 nurses, and 50 support staff. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting careers built without limits, with investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing.