Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Welcome to Kennington, a fast-paced first opinion practice in the heart of South London that's been growing from strength to strength. You'll be joining as the second veterinary surgeon, working alongside a senior vet to manage a busy GP caseload. This role offers genuine flexibility between 30 to 40 hours per week. If you choose full-time hours, you'll rotate alternating Mondays and Fridays off, with a 1:4 branch Saturday and 1:10 hospital Sunday rota included. Crucially, there are no on-call requirements for this position.

Kennington suits vets who thrive in a busy environment and can work independently while competently managing both emergency cases and a substantial GP caseload. The practice spans two floors, so you'll definitely get your daily steps in. You'll be fully supported by a senior vet, senior RVN, trainee nurses, a regional manager, and regional head vet. The practice is equipped with ultrasound facilities, making it ideal if you have a keen interest in diagnostic imaging.

Your clients and patients are backed by Stone Lion 24-hour Hospital, which provides out-of-hours support when Kennington closes or when cases need referral for advanced treatment. As part of your induction, you'll spend a day with the hospital team to prepare for your first Sunday shift and understand internal referral pathways. Kennington's location is excellent: just a 10-minute walk from The Oval and an 8-minute walk from Kennington Underground station on the Northern line.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a large GP caseload independently and competently
• Handle emergency cases as they present
• Provide clinical support and collaborate with the senior vet on complex cases
• Participate in the branch Saturday rota (1:4) and hospital Sunday rota (1:10)
• Engage with internal referral pathways through Stone Lion Hospital
• Work efficiently across a two-floor practice environment
• Contribute to a supportive, busy clinic culture

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a Veterinary Surgeon (MRCVS)
• Ability to work independently and manage a large GP caseload
• Comfortable handling emergency cases in a fast-paced environment
• Efficient communicator and multitasker
• Experience or keen interest in diagnostic imaging (e.g. ultrasound) is valued

Benefits

• Salary: £45,000 to £67,000 per annum (FTE based on 40 hours per week), depending on prior experience
• Flexible hours: 30 to 40 hours per week
• Alternating Mondays and Fridays off (if full-time)
• No on-call requirements
• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata)
• Up to £2,000 CPD budget per year plus up to 5 days' paid CPD leave (pro rata)
• Private Medical Healthcare Insurance with Bupa
• Generous relocation assistance where applicable
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
• Colleague introduction reward for referring vets and RVNs
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Medical cashback plan covering dental care, physiotherapy, optician, chiropractic and other routine costs
• Professional membership fees covered
• Shopping discounts and generous colleague discounts
• Petplan 20% colleague discount

About the Practice

Kennington is part of Goddard Veterinary Group, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022 and now operates 46 branches, three hospitals, and its own nurse training college (GVNC). The group is part of the VetPartners family. Goddard values all colleagues and has introduced a Colleague Forum to listen to staff views, monthly Town Hall meetings with board directors for real-time updates and live Q&As, and all senior managers are mental health first aid trained. Wellness plans are offered to all new starters.

Kennington itself is an RCVS-accredited practice equipped with ultrasound facilities and seamlessly integrated with Stone Lion 24-hour Hospital for referrals and out-of-hours support. The practice has a supportive team structure and thrives on efficient communication and collaborative care.