Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal – FTC

About the Role

This is a fixed-term maternity cover position offering genuine flexibility—you can work full-time or part-time with negotiable working days and hours split between the main practice and branch locations. The typical shift patterns are 8am–6pm, 8.30am–6.30pm, or 9am–7pm, with no out-of-hours cover required. You’ll rotate Saturday mornings on a relaxed 1:5 rota. Located in the scenic South Downs near the coast and within easy reach of London, Gatwick, and Heathrow, the practice offers the best of countryside living with excellent transport links.

Your work will balance consulting and surgery, with some sole charge responsibilities as you develop. You’ll benefit from extended consultation times—15 minutes for routine cases and 30 minutes for complex work—allowing proper clinical assessment rather than rushed appointments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide small animal veterinary care across the main site and three branch surgeries
• Conduct routine and complex consultations with dedicated time for thorough clinical assessment
• Perform surgical procedures, with progressive responsibility and support
• Work some sole charge sessions, supported by an experienced and collaborative team
• Contribute to the practice’s high standard of care and its care of local Cats Protection adoptions
• Engage in continuing professional development within your chosen interests (surgery, dentistry, or other specialisms)

Requirements

• Qualified Veterinary Surgeon (RCVS registered)
• Small animal experience valued but not essential—the team welcomes all backgrounds
• Willingness to work some sole charge with support available
• Commitment to continued learning and professional development

Benefits

• Time Off: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off
• Learning & Development: £1,250 annual CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD time; Certificate and advanced learning support; Access to Vetlexicon online resources; World-leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres; £1,250 annual Care Fund
• Professional Support: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance; Enhanced family-friendly leave and pay; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Additional Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (where eligible); Retail discounts and cashback; Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

About the Practice

Midhurst Vets operates a main practice in Midhurst with three satellite branches all within a 9-mile radius, serving the South Downs community. The main branch recently underwent kennels refurbishment with separate dog and cat wards, improving patient welfare. The practice is well-established and locally respected, providing long-term care to residents and partnering with a local Cats Protection adoption centre.

The team consists of 7 veterinary surgeons, 7 registered veterinary nurses, 3 student veterinary nurses, 2 veterinary care assistants, and receptionists working collaboratively. Several vets are pursuing certificates in small animal surgery and dentistry, and the practice actively encourages individual professional interests. The practice is equipped with digital x-ray, dental x-ray, multiparameter anaesthetic monitoring, blood pressure doppler, microscope, in-house biochemistry and haematology analysers, ultrasound with cardiac and abdominal probes, laser, ECG, endoscope, and tonometer. Midhurst Vets is part of IVC Evidensia, an international veterinary group operating over 2,500 clinics across 20 countries with approximately 41,000 employees caring for around 25,000 animals daily.