Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a flexible, mixed hospital and branch role shaped around your clinical strengths and interests. You'll work across a well-equipped veterinary hospital and three sister practices in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Swanscombe, with a new branch opening in East Malling. With dedicated operating days for surgery alongside consultations and case work-ups, you'll build continuity and clinical ownership of referred cases from across the South East.

Shifts are structured around work-life balance, typically ranging from 8.30 am to 4 pm, 9 am to 5 pm, and 12 pm to 7.30 pm. Weekend daytime work is shared fairly across the team with clear handover to the night shift. Crucially, there are no routine night shifts for day vets thanks to a dedicated night team; occasional overnight support to cover annual leave amounts to around three nights per year.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide small animal veterinary care across hospital and branch locations, including surgical and medical consultations
• Work on a varied caseload including referred cases, with ability to fully work up and follow cases through to completion
• Participate in surgical procedures ranging from routine to advanced techniques such as laparoscopy, orthopaedics including TPLOs
• Contribute to weekly clinical clubs and in-house training sessions
• Support teaching and clinical training through the University of Surrey partnership
• Collaborate with a team of 18 vets and certificate holders across multiple specialisms

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a veterinary surgeon
• Evidence of clinical competence in small animal practice
• Positive attitude, curiosity, and genuine passion for clinical work
• Willingness to engage in continued professional development and learning
• Flexibility to work across multiple sites within the practice group

Benefits

• Salary from £40,000, depending on experience
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Accommodation available if required
• Exceptional CPD study time and funding, with dedicated support for certificate progression
• No routine night shifts; only occasional overnight cover for annual leave
• Daytime weekend shifts only with time off in lieu arranged where possible for long weekends
• Generous staff discounts
• Genuinely flexible and supportive working environment
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities including 16-slice CT, laparoscopy, digital radiography, endoscopy, and in-house laboratory
• Mentorship from experienced vets and certificate holders
• Teaching opportunities through University of Surrey partnership

About the Practice

Meopham Veterinary Hospital is an independent, family-owned small animal hospital led by Dr Martin Hobbs, with three well-equipped sister practices in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Swanscombe. The practice is RCVS certified and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with vets and nurses on site continuously, ensuring patients in hospital care are never left unattended. The team comprises 18 vets with a broad range of experience and certificate holders across surgery, medicine, ECC, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, and anaesthesia.

Located in rural Kent with easy access to the M25 and high-speed rail, the practice offers genuine balance between countryside living and city connectivity. St Pancras is under 20 minutes away via Ebbsfleet, and the Kent coast is just an hour's drive. The practice runs its own in-house out-of-hours service, removing reliance on external emergency cover and ensuring day vets enjoy true work-life balance. Facilities include 16-slice CT, laparoscopy, digital radiography and ultrasound, endoscopy, full in-house laboratory, plus complementary services including hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and behavioural consultation.