Veterinary Surgeon (Maternity Cover)

CVS Veterinary Group; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RCVS & VDS fees paid in full

CPD allowance and postgraduate funding

Up to 33 days holiday

Vet Oracle and clinical mentoring

Health cash plan

Wellbeing Champions

Staff pet care discounts

Job summary

Charter Veterinary Hospital, part of CVS Veterinary Group in Barnstaple, is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon. This full-time role is 40 hours across 4 days with flexible options; part-time applications may be considered. It is a fixed-term maternity cover for six months from October 2026.

You will lead surgical and medical cases with autonomy, mentor colleagues, and help shape clinical standards. The practice features CT, dental x-ray, ultrasound, and modern facilities, with cross-site work across

Qualifications

• Driven to provide outstanding veterinary care.
• Confident to lead on surgical and medical cases.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and support the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead surgical and medical cases with clinical autonomy.
• Mentor and support team members to thrive.
• Contribute to shaping clinical standards and best practices.

Skills

Clinical autonomy

Surgical skills

Medical management

Team mentorship

Client communication

Tools

CT scanner

Dental x-ray

Ultrasound

Job description

Do you enjoy the countryside, beautiful coastlines and sandy beaches? Are you looking for a progressive group who uphold the highest standards?

At CVS, we put our colleagues first, giving you the support you need to provide the best possible care. From clinical to non-clinical challenges, you'll always have the resources and teams alongside you. We'll be your biggest supporter - it's in our nature.

With market-leading learning, on-the-job training, and collaboration with skilled colleagues, you'll have the tools to grow-whether you're building confidence early in your career or looking to deepen your expertise. From advancing in your current role to exploring new leadership or specialist pathways, we provide the support and opportunities to help you achieve your goals

Life at Charter Veterinary Hospital

Charter is a Small Animal practice with a passionate team of vets, nurses, PCAs and receptionists.

Escape the rat race, work and play in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a spectacular and diverse region that offers the work-life balance you deserve. Award winning golden sandy beaches perfect for surfing and swimming, rugged moors and lush green valley's ready to explore, picturesque coast lines, traditional thatched pubs and restaurants serving some of the best of locally sourced food in the country.

As well as enjoying our modern facilities, we are extremely well equipped with CT scanner, dental x-ray, endoscopy, diathermy, digital x-ray, ultrasound. We have a varied caseload and the team thoroughly enjoy sharing their knowledge so you will gain invaluable experience.

You will get the chance to work across all of our three sites in the area, Barnstaple, Pilton and Mullacott. This role is based in Barnstaple and is easily commutable from Bideford, Great Torrington, South Molton, Westward Ho!, Ilfracombe and other surrounding areas within Devon and North Cornwall.

This is a full time position working 40 hours per week across 4 days - however we can be flexible with this! Part time applications will also be considered for the right candidate. Participation in the 1:6 Saturday rota (12 hour shift) is required with TOIL for this. No OOH. This is a fixed term contract for 6 months covering maternity from October 2026.

About you

We're looking for a Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. Working within a culture where clinicians are empowered to make the best decisions, where improvement is encouraged and where best practice is shared, you will be:

• Driven by shared passion to provide the best possible care to animals, you're committed to delivering outstanding care to support our patients and their owners.
• Confident in your clinical skills, you'll be able to take the lead on surgical and medical cases, and carry out diagnostic investigations with precision.
• Keen to develop, you're committed to gaining further confidence in clinical skills so that you can manage or lead on different case types
• A natural mentor and team player, you'll enjoy supporting and inspiring all colleagues to help them thrive.
• Client care comes naturally to you, you know how to create a positive, reassuring experience that builds trust and long-lasting relationships.

As an experienced vet, you'll bring a strong level of clinical autonomy and be comfortable handling a varied caseload, offering guidance to the wider team and contributing to shaping clinical standards.

The benefits

At CVS, we know that care for our patients starts with dedicated people like you. That's why we invest in your growth and your future. When you join our team, you'll receive:

• RCVS & VDS fees paid in full
• Generous CPD allowance, BSAVA library access, 450+ courses, and fully funded postgraduate qualifications (CertAVP, PgCert) with tuition, exams, and study leave covered
• Up to 33 days holiday (with option to buy/sell)
• Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, Advanced Clinical Services Network and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoring
• Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff pet care discounts - 50% off services, MiPet food and medications

Join us at CVS

We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to do their best work. We foster an inclusive and equitable workplace, where diverse perspectives are invited and people feel safe to speak up.

Wellbeing support is always available, from monthly line-manager check-ins to our network of 400 Wellbeing Champions, Pastoral Support Vets and personal mentors. We offer leading benefits and policies, such as our Health Shield which provides support for physical and mental health.

Our aim is to free up clinical colleagues to do what they do best, so we offer practices a wide range of operational support. Central expert HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, procurement teams are on hand to support with all aspects relating to the smooth running of each practice.

We prioritise investment in our facilities, delivering significant enhancements across numerous practices through a dedicated multi-million-pound improvement fund.

Interested?

Please click apply now! For further details or an informal chat, please contact Emily in the recruitment team at [e-mail]