Join a genuinely supportive 18-vet team where real clinical opportunity meets work-life balance. No routine nights, flexible mixed-role scope, and serious investment in your development.
No routine night shifts. Day vets provide occasional overnight cover for annual leave only, typically around 3 nights per year. Dedicated night team manages OOH. Weekend day shifts (8 am to 7.15 pm) shared fairly across team.
This is a flexible, mixed hospital and branch role shaped around your clinical interests and strengths. You'll divide your week between dedicated operating days (focused purely on surgery) and mixed days combining consultations, procedures, and case work-ups, allowing you to follow cases through and build continuity. Shifts typically run 8.30 am to 4 pm, 9 am to 5 pm, or 12 pm to 7.30 pm, with weekend day shifts (8 am to 7.15 pm) shared fairly across the team. Time off in lieu is always provided and coordinated to give you long weekends where possible. Thanks to a dedicated night team, there are no routine nights; day vets provide only occasional overnight cover for annual leave, typically around three nights per year.
Based in Meopham, Kent, you'll be surrounded by beautiful countryside yet incredibly well connected. The M25 and high-speed rail links offer easy access to London St Pancras in under 20 minutes via Ebbsfleet, while the Kent coast is just an hour away, giving you genuine balance between city access and rural living.
Meopham Veterinary Hospital is an independent, family-owned small animal hospital in Kent led by Dr Martin Hobbs. The practice comprises a main RCVS-accredited Veterinary Hospital in Meopham plus three well-equipped sister practices in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and Swanscombe, with a new branch opening in East Malling. All branches are fully equipped with theatres, imaging, and dedicated dental suites, so you won't feel limited working outside the hospital. The practice is continuing to expand.
The mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Vets and nurses are on site around the clock, meaning in-patients are never alone and clinical standards never drop. The practice runs its own in-house OOH service supported by a dedicated night team, ensuring day vets enjoy true work-life balance. The team of 18 vets includes certificate holders across multiple specialisms, and the culture actively supports career development at every stage through weekly clinical clubs, regular in-house medical and surgical training, and partnership with the University of Surrey for teaching and EMS student placement.
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