Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Meridian Vets on the beautiful south coast has been at the heart of our local Peacehaven community since the 1980s. Our team's blend of experience, dedication, and a supportive, friendly work environment really does set us apart.

We take pride in our genuine care for each other and the well-being of every pet that walks through our doors. We love helping our team grow, and whether you want to take on a certificate or explore a particular area of interest, we're here to support you. We are looking for a small animal vet, ideally with some experience, to join our amazing 2-3 vet team. If you are driven and ambitious, there is also the opportunity to progress your career and move into a lead vet role.  

We are dedicated to providing the best care for our patients. Vet Larissa graduated from Milano University in 1999 and has worked in practices across Europe. She joined us as a locum in 2019 and liked it so much she soon became a permanent team member. Larissa is particularly interested in ophthalmology and dentistry. She is also trained in acupuncture and offers the service to our patients to assist with pain management.

We have a fantastic nursing team of 3 RVNs and 2 SVNs. Fiona, our Head Nurse since 2007, has completed a diploma in surgical nursing and a certificate in canine behaviour. Rowena, an RVN since 2012, is passionate about animal welfare, and Vicki completed her nurse training here in 2016. Our two SVNs, Alisha and Hayley, are in their 3rd year of training and are excited to qualify soon. Our Practice Manager, Grant, who is also an RVN, has many years of experience in practice management, keeping everything running smoothly and ensuring the team and clients are happy. We also have the support of our four wonderful receptionists, who have been part of our team for many years.

Here’s what they have to say about us…

“I have been with Meridian Vets as Head Nurse for 16 years. In that time, I have seen many changes within the profession, and staff members come and go, but we always maintain the same level of care. We move with the times to ensure we provide a high level of care for clients and their pets. As pet owners ourselves, I feel it is important that our clients feel we genuinely care about them and their pet's welfare as we would want for our own.“ Fiona Attwater RVN Head Nurse

“I first joined the Meridian Vets as a client ten years ago. At the time, I felt anxious because my own vet had retired, and one of my dogs, who was especially dear to me, had very special needs. From our very first visit, I knew this was a very special practice. A friendly, caring, close-knit team that really cared about us and our pets. I lost my little dog in 2021, so when a vacancy at Meridian became available on May 22, and I was offered the chance to join the team that had contributed to her long and happy life, I jumped at it. I absolutely love being part of Meridian. The practice manager is very approachable, calm, kind and supportive. Everyone is the team really cares about each other. I love meeting the clients and their animals and being part of my Meridian family.” Claire, Receptionist and Administrator

“I have worked at Meridian for over 10 years. We have an amazing team of nurses and receptionists who are invaluable in supporting the vets. I started work in practice in 1998 as a Vet Nurse and I love working here at Meridian. It is a busy practice, but our team's support makes each day that much easier.” Grant RVN & Practice Manager

Our modern and spacious practice is well-equipped with all the usual kit, including DR and dental X-ray and ultrasound, and separate cat and dog wards to provide the best possible care for our patients. We're happy to invest in our facilities to support our team's interests and are continually looking for ways to improve our services and clinical standards. We have regular practice meetings to share our ideas and review cases, and we encourage our team to learn and develop their skills, keeping our knowledge up-to-date.

We believe a good work-life balance is essential, and we can be flexible with the rota. Whether you’re looking for full—or part-time hours or have other commitments to work around, we would love to hear from you. Our full-time vets work a 4-day week (8-6), with just 1:4 Saturdays. Our out-of-hours work is outsourced to Vetcall, based at Coastway Veterinary Hospital in Brighton. They also look after our inpatients, so your nights, Sundays, and bank holidays are free to enjoy.

You will start your day consulting or operating before everyone stops mid-morning for a coffee break to catch up, discuss cases, and make plans. The vets then swap duties, meaning there is always plenty of time to hone your consulting and surgery skills. We have dedicated time in the schedule for admin and phone calls and a dedicated break for lunch between 1-2, allowing you to stretch your legs and take in the view from the stunning chalk cliffs overlooking the beach, which is just a 5-minute walk.

We're a friendly bunch who love socialising and often get together for a meal. Whether it's a delicious Italian or a curry night, we always have fun together. Our annual summer and Christmas parties are always a blast.

Peacehaven sits on the chalk cliffs of the South Downs, offering a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle with easy access to the coast and South Downs National Park. We are only six miles away from the vibrant city of Brighton, which offers a range of exciting activities and cultural events.  You can reach London from Brighton in just over an hour by train, and we are only 40 minutes away from Gatwick Airport.

We offer:

• A salary of £45,000 - £70,000, with annual pay reviews
• Six weeks holiday, including bank holidays
• CPD encouraged, with certificates supported and funded
• Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS, plus two other membership subscriptions
• Well-behaved dogs welcome
• Visas sponsored
• Health Shield cash plan and access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• My Perks – offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel, entertainment and much more
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, and surrogacy pay
• Company sick pay
• Cycle to work scheme

If you like what you hear and want to know more, call us for an informal chat or apply now.