Veterinary surgeon for independent clinic

Permanent full or part time vet required for an independent, 100% small animal clinic with a 40 year history. Exciting opportunity to shape the future of this community based village clinic. The Mewes Vets in Rottingdean is looking for an experienced full or part-time vet to join our caring, friendly team, as our colleague is answering the call of the charity sector.

This role would suit a vet who would like to settle down and build relationships with our clients, and value our one-pet-one-vet philosophy; a vet with empathy for the patient and owner, excellent communication skills and telephone manner; a vet who enjoys a pleasant mix of consulting and operating, including dentistry, and some sole charge.

We have five RVNs, 3 other vets, including Dr Mewes, and a team of experienced receptionists. There is no OOH. Your CPD and memberships are funded and your interests will be nurtured. Priority will be given to those with at least 12 months’ experience. All team members work at least one evening per week to 6.30pm. This role includes one in three Saturday mornings.

Julia established The Mewes Vets 30 years ago. She has built it into a multi-award winning, RCVS accredited veterinary clinic, known for being a great place to work. The Rottingdean branch (formerly run by Coastway) was opened under the Mewes banner 3 years ago. We treat pets as friends, and endeavour to have the same vet see that pet on its every visit, allowing us a closer bond with our patients. We call this our one-pet-one-vet policy.

We reserve appointments every day for 'on the day only' appointments. These are urgent cases, not necessarily emergencies. But by doing this we always have the capacity to see sick pets when their owners are worried about them, without (usually!) double booking, or asking our team to work late.

This role would suit someone who is a team player and who is able to work in a busy environment, and prefers a small friendly team, and thinking for themselves.

Equipment at the practice:

• 1 consulting room
• 1 operating theatre, with modern operating lights
• Oxygen generator
• Multiparameter monitoring
• 1 small hospital
• Digital radiography
• Digital dental radiography
• Ultrasound machine
• Sevoflurane anaesthesia
• In house lab, including Vetscan Imagyst
• Visiting scanner, endoscopist, ophthalmologist, if required

The practice building is very compact and hygienic, mid terrace, converted 40 years ago to a vets’ practice, refurbished in January 23. The practice is located 15 minutes east of Brighton, 2 minutes walk from the sea. Gatwick airport and central London are within an easy commute.

Attractions in the area: An extraordinarily beautiful Sussex village on the coast. The South Downs National Park is on the doorstep. Nearby is the excitement of cosmopolitan Brighton, with its Pavilion, theatres, festivals, pier and beach. It is surrounded by pretty farmland with extensive dog walks and riding options, both equine and pedal powered. It's within easy reach of central London and the rest of the world via Gatwick, yet peaceful and spacious when at home. The clinic is situated at the centre of this gorgeous village, with its attractive shops and tea rooms. It backs onto the coastal path by the sea, and has excellent public transport connections. You can reach the beach from work in a few minutes' stroll.

This position requires a vet who is capable of sole charge. However, support and second cover can easily be arranged if appropriate, until the recruit feels confident. You will receive 5 weeks paid holiday per year plus Bank Holidays. There will be no out of hours work, which will be managed by a specialist team a short drive away.

Attributes of person required:

• Empathy for the patient, and their owner as well as for colleagues
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to make care plans based on the patient’s medical needs and the client’s budget
• Ability to think for themselves, not follow a care plan sheet
• A gentle manner with patients

Normal clinic hours: 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 12.30 on Saturday. This role does not have any OOH. If we run late, overtime is paid. We pay the usual hourly rate for any time worked over the contracted hours per week, i.e. you are not expected to work overtime free of charge! But you will be positively encouraged to develop and maintain a good work-life balance.

The number of hours to be worked per week will be negotiated. Full time would be 37 hours per week, plus one in three Saturday mornings. Alternatively, a part-time colleague would be welcomed, precise hours to be discussed, but at least one evening clinic per week is preferred for all staff, and one in three Saturday mornings.

The successful candidate will have 5 weeks' paid holiday, paid CPD and memberships. Neither accommodation nor a car are provided, but assistance to acquire these could be cheerfully offered, if required. Car parking can be difficult to find in Rottingdean. Consideration to use public transport or car sharing might be valuable.

Our focus is on being great GPs for pets. We prioritise care of each other, second only to care of our patients. We practice ISFM principles and kindness first in all things, and have signed up to work towards dog and rabbit friendliness too. We have a one-pet-one-vet policy, meaning that each vet is positively encouraged to follow through on their own cases long term, in sickness and in health.

We encourage our RVNs to perform all procedures they are trained for, so you will find them exceptionally well motivated and highly skilled. We have a strong well-pet care programme, particularly for geriatric cats, but also for weight management, mobility care, thyroid, diabetic, cardiac and renal patients.

I do not insist that my vets perform veterinary medicine ‘my way’. I ask each of my vets to make the best decision for each pet at that moment, taking into consideration its whole circumstances, including its owner’s budget. We have a pet care plan with at least 60% of our active clients signed up, and transparent, honest pricing. We have a team of people who are well motivated and happy. Many of our staff are extremely long-serving. I encourage each team member to be the best they can be, and to follow their own dreams and goals. We have won multiple awards for our customer service, including Top 25 BestUKVets in 2019, 2020 and 2023, shortlisted by Best UK Vets in 2024.