Veterinary Surgeon (Fixed-Term Sabbatical Cover)

Location: Douglas, Cork
Reports to: Lead Vet
Contract: Fixed-Term (September–December 2026)
Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Salary: €65,000 pro rata

About the Role

Village Vets Douglas is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly and supportive team on a fixed-term basis to provide sabbatical cover from September through December. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a modern, well-equipped small animal practice where high-quality patient care, exceptional client service, and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do.

Working 40 hours per week with no out-of-hours or on-call commitments, you'll participate in a 1 in 4 Saturday rota and enjoy one weekday off each week, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

In this role, you will deliver high standards of preventative, medical, and surgical care, managing consultations, diagnostics, routine surgeries, and case workups before referral where appropriate. You'll take ownership of patient care, ensuring accurate clinical records, effective case handovers, safe prescribing and dispensing of medications, and clear communication with clients regarding treatment options and estimates. You'll also promote preventative healthcare through Pet Health Plans and Pet Insurance, support the smooth day-to-day running of the clinic, contribute to training and knowledge sharing within the team, and ensure accurate billing while maintaining the high standards expected across Village Vets.

About You

We're looking for a Veterinary Surgeon with at least three years' experience in small animal practice who is registered, or eligible to register, with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI). You'll be confident managing consultations, routine surgeries, and case management independently, with strong clinical and communication skills and a proactive approach to patient care. A collaborative mindset, commitment to outstanding client service, and enthusiasm for continuous professional development are essential. Applicants must also be legally eligible to work in Ireland.

What We Offer

In addition to joining a welcoming and experienced team, you'll benefit from a competitive salary of €65,000 pro rata, no out-of-hours or on-call responsibilities, and a comprehensive benefits package including a health cash plan, pension scheme, gym membership subsidy, free pet health plan, paid charity day, additional annual leave with service, funded CPD with certificate support and online learning resources, statutory sick pay, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave, and a Bike to Work scheme.

If you're looking for a supportive practice where you can make a real difference while covering a colleague's sabbatical, we'd love to hear from you.

We also believe it's important to have fun together. From regular team social outings to coffee mornings and ice cream days, we make time to celebrate our team and create an enjoyable workplace where everyone feels valued.