Senior Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll be joining Kingston Vets as a senior clinical leader with real influence over the small animal services. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll mentor graduate vets, set clinical standards, and remain actively involved in day-to-day practice. The role offers a balanced working pattern: ideally full-time at 40 hours across four days per week, with Saturday mornings included (8:30am–12:30pm, one in three). Crucially, there’s no out-of-hours or on-call work—just daytime small animal medicine and surgery. Part-time arrangements are welcomed for the right candidate.

Based across two modern, purpose-built sites in Yeovil and Sherborne, you’ll enjoy excellent facilities and a caseload that emphasises case continuity and high clinical standards. The area offers a wonderful balance of rural charm and everyday convenience, with rolling countryside, historic market towns, and excellent walking routes—ideal for those seeking outdoor living without isolation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of six veterinary surgeons, supporting graduate vets through their development
• Provide clinical leadership and set standards for small animal case management across both sites
• Work hands-on with dogs, cats, rabbits, and small furries, maintaining case ownership through treatment
• Balance routine consultations with surgical work including orthopaedics, dental procedures, and splenectomies
• Collaborate with a visiting orthopaedic specialist to support complex cases
• Work across Yeovil and Sherborne practices, utilising shared facilities and resources
• Contribute to the practice’s feline-friendly care culture (Silver ISFM accredited)

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with significant clinical experience in small animal medicine and surgery
• Confident leadership ability with mentoring experience or readiness to develop team
• Strong interest in case-based continuity and high clinical standards
• Enthusiasm for ongoing learning and professional development
• Full UK veterinary registration with RCVS

Benefits

• Salary & Bonuses: Up to £75,000 depending on experience, plus up to £5,000 welcome bonus and up to £5,000 relocation allowance
• Leave: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) plus additional holiday for your birthday
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave, certificate support, learning via the IVC Evidensia Academy, access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, and research funding opportunities
• Professional Fees: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme, enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay)
• Pension: Company pension scheme with employer contribution
• Colleague Perks: Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility), voluntary benefits package, discounts/cashback with hundreds of retailers, discounted pet treatment at IVC Evidensia practices
• Care Fund: £1,250 per annum to spend via the IVC Evidensia Care Fund
• Quality Programmes: Infection Prevention and Control Programme and Quality Improvement Programme participation

About the Practice

Kingston Vets has been part of the local community for over 100 years and operates two modern, purpose-built small animal practices in Yeovil and Sherborne. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group, and maintains Silver ISFM status with a strong commitment to feline-friendly care. Facilities include dental suites with dental X-ray, digital radiography, ultrasound, laparoscopic equipment, and separate cat and dog wards with isolation facilities.

The team comprises six veterinary surgeons, six RVNs, two SVNs, and a dedicated client care team. The practice actively encourages ongoing learning and is open to supporting certificates and further training aligned with staff interests. Clinical support includes access to a visiting orthopaedic specialist for complex cases.