Veterinary Surgeon

MedMatch Vets; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RCVS membership paid

VDS membership paid

4-day working week

No OOH

Modern facilities

Job summary

MedMatch Vets is seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join a proudly independent, family-owned small animal practice on a 12-month maternity cover contract starting provisionally December 2026.

The role offers a balanced mix of consultations and surgery, with clinical freedom to work cases up to a high standard. Ideally you have 4+ years' experience and are confident with routine first opinion medicine and surgery.

Qualifications

• RCVS registration and valid veterinary qualification.
• 4+ years' practical veterinary experience in small animals.
• Strong communication with clients and team.
• Confidence with routine first-opinion medicine and surgery.

Responsibilities

• Small animal consultations
• Routine surgery
• Medical case management
• Developing treatment plans
• Providing continuity of care
• Collaborating with the wider clinical and nursing team

Skills

First-opinion consultations

Clinical communication

Team collaboration

Education

RCVS Registered Veterinary Surgeon

4+ years' experience

Job description

Job Type

12-Month Fixed-Term Contract – Maternity Cover

Start Date

Provisionally December 2026

About the Role

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join a proudly independent, family-owned small animal practice on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

The practice is looking for a friendly and enthusiastic vet who enjoys a good balance of consultations and surgery and values having the clinical freedom and time to work cases up properly.

Ideally, you'll have at least four years' experience and be confident with routine first opinion medicine and surgery. An interest or strength in internal medicine would be particularly welcomed, although this isn't essential.

About the Practice

This established independent practice operates across multiple sites, providing high quality veterinary care to a loyal and engaged client base.

As a family-owned practice, the team places a strong emphasis on:

• Clinical freedom
• Continuity of care
• High clinical standards
• Personal client relationships
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Supportive working relationships

You’ll be supported by an experienced team of Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses and support colleagues, with modern facilities and equipment available to work cases up to a high standard.

Working Pattern

• 12-month FTC
• Provisionally starting December 2026
• Full-time preferred
• Part-time applications considered
• 4-day working week
• Fixed day off each week
• Mixture of consultations and surgery
• 1 in 5 Saturdays
• Saturday hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm
• No OOH

About You

• RCVS Registered Veterinary Surgeon
• Ideally 4+ years' experience
• Confident with first-opinion consultations
• Comfortable with routine surgery
• Strong clinical and client communication skills
• Values continuity of care
• Enjoys working cases up thoroughly
• Friendly, enthusiastic and collaborative
• Interest or experience in internal medicine advantageous but not essential

Key Responsibilities

• Small animal consultations
• Routine surgery
• Medical case management
• Diagnostic work-ups
• Developing treatment plans
• Providing continuity of care
• Building strong relationships with clients
• Working collaboratively with the wider clinical and nursing team
• Maintaining high standards of patient and client care

What Makes This Role Different?

• Independent, family-owned practice
• 4-day working week
• Fixed day off
• No out-of-hours
• Only 1 in 5 Saturdays
• Clinical freedom
• Opportunity to work cases up to a high standard
• Strong emphasis on continuity of care
• Experienced and supportive clinical team
• Modern facilities and equipment
• Loyal and engaged client base
• Part-time applications considered

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary DOE
• Paid RCVS membership
• Paid VDS membership
• Supportive and collaborative working culture
• Clinical freedom within an independent practice
• Modern facilities and equipment
• 4-day working week
• No OOH

About the Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking for a 12 month maternity cover position from December 2026. With a 4-day week, no OOH, only 1 in 5 Saturdays and genuine clinical freedom, the role offers an attractive working pattern within a friendly, family-owned independent practice where continuity and high quality veterinary care are genuinely valued.