Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a flexible, mixed hospital and branch role that can be shaped around your clinical interests and strengths. You'll work across Meopham's main hospital and its sister practices in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Swanscombe, handling a genuinely varied caseload including referrals from across the South East. The role combines dedicated operating days (focused purely on surgery without consultation interruptions) alongside mixed clinic days that let you follow cases through and build continuity of care.

Working hours are structured to support both development and work-life balance, with shifts typically ranging from 8:30 am to 4 pm, 9 am to 5 pm, and 12 pm to 7:30 pm spread across the week. Weekend daytime shifts (8 am to 7:15 pm) are shared fairly across the team with clear handover to the night shift, and time off in lieu is always arranged. Thanks to Meopham's dedicated night team, there are no routine night shifts for day vets, only occasional overnight support to cover annual leave (typically around three nights per year).

Based in Kent near Gravesend, the practice offers genuine balance between countryside living and city access. The M25 and high-speed rail at Ebbsfleet (under 20 minutes) connect you to London, while the Kent coast is just an hour away.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care across the hospital and branch practices, working on a varied small animal caseload including surgical and medical cases
• Conduct surgical procedures ranging from routine to advanced (laparoscopy, orthopaedics such as TPLOs)
• Manage consultations, diagnostic work-ups, and follow-up care for referred and routine patients
• Collaborate with a team of 18 vets and nursing staff, including specialists in surgery, medicine, emergency and critical care, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, and anaesthesia
• Contribute to a culture of evidence-based practice and continuous clinical improvement
• Participate in weekly clinical clubs and in-house training programmes

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• Experience in small animal practice (level of experience flexible; candidates range from those building confidence post-graduation to experienced clinicians pursuing advanced qualifications or referral work)
• A genuine interest in clinical work and willingness to collaborate with colleagues
• Attitude and curiosity valued over rigid criteria; the practice welcomes vets at different career stages

Benefits

• Salary starting from £40,000+, depending on experience
• Accommodation available if required
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Exceptional CPD study time and funding, with support for certificate-level qualifications
• Generous staff discounts
• Access to a fully equipped main hospital and well-equipped branch practices with theatres, imaging, and dental suites
• No routine night shifts, only occasional cover (typically 3 nights per year)
• A genuinely flexible and supportive working environment
• Teaching opportunities through partnership with the University of Surrey

About the Practice

Meopham Veterinary Hospital is an independent, family-owned small animal hospital in Kent led by Dr Martin Hobbs. It operates as an RCVS-accredited veterinary hospital with sister practices in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Swanscombe, plus a new branch opening in East Malling. The practice employs vets and nurses on site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and runs its own in-house out-of-hours service with a dedicated night team, ensuring patients receive continuous care and day vets benefit from genuine work-life balance.

The team comprises 18 vets with a wide range of experience and certificate holders across surgery, medicine, emergency and critical care, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, and anaesthesia. The practice has invested heavily in facilities including a 16-slice CT, laparoscopy, digital radiography and ultrasound, endoscopy (including paediatric bronchoscopy), and a full in-house laboratory. Complementary services include hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, canine behaviour support, and in-house grooming. The culture emphasises collaboration, evidence-based medicine, continuous learning through weekly clinical clubs and regular training, and active support for career progression at every stage.