Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal
Hove, East Sussex, England
Primary Care - Vet Surgeon – Small Animal /
Acorn Veterinary Surgery, Hove [1276] /
On-site
At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.
Acorn Veterinary Surgery is a thriving two-site practice with state-of-the-art equipment including an in-house laboratory, digital x-ray, ultrasound, digital dental x-ray, and a dedicated operating theatre.
Our main site is situated on Portland Road in Hove, with a branch practice in Hangleton. You'll join a passionate team of 4 Veterinary Surgeons and 7 Registered Veterinary Nurses working across both sites. Shifts at the branch practice involve sole charge alongside a Veterinary Nurse, supporting a close-knit community practice.
Both locations offer an excellent quality of life. The Hove practice is just a five-minute walk from the seafront and only ten minutes by car from the South Downs. With vibrant Brighton on the doorstep and excellent transport links to London, it's a fantastic place to live and work.
At Acorn, we pride ourselves on being a close-knit, supportive team where collaboration is key and every voice is valued. Our modern facilities and RCVS accreditation enable us to deliver exceptional patient care, while our welcoming team ensures you'll feel supported from your very first day. If you're looking for a role that offers flexibility, development, and the opportunity to thrive within a friendly practice, we'd love to hear from you.
How You’ll Make a Difference
As a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll work collaboratively with the wider practice team to deliver a high standard of patient and client care across a varied and rewarding caseload.
You’ll continue to develop your clinical skills and interests while sharing your knowledge and experience with colleagues, contributing positively to the clinical culture of the practice. You’ll be an integral member of the clinical team, delivering excellent care and supporting the ongoing development of those around you.
Working Pattern
* 28-37 hours per week
* 3-4 days per week, 8:00am - 6:00pm
* No out-of-hours
* 1 in 4 Saturday mornings
General Responsibilities
* Deliver first-opinion consultations and routine surgical procedures
* Perform dental procedures and medical work-ups
* Build strong client relationships through continuity of care
* Work collaboratively with the wider clinical team
* Develop your clinical interests in your preferred area of expertise
You Might Be a Great Fit If...
We’re looking for a confident and motivated Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys working as part of a team and delivering high standards of patient and client care. You’ll bring:
* A Veterinary degree and registration (or eligibility to register) with the RCVS
* Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in routine medical and surgical cases
* Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
* A proactive approach to learning, with openness to feedback and development
* Professionalism, reliability, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
* A passion for delivering excellent patient and client care
How We’ll Support You
At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
* Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
* Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
* £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
* Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
* Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
* A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
What We Offer Our Team
* 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
* Private Medical Insurance
* Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
* BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
* Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
* Retail discounts and cashback offers
* Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
£0 - £65,000 a year
Up to £65,000 DOE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
