Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking team at a newly built small animal hospital in Northampton that’s designed for modern veterinary practice. With a team of 13 experienced vets and plenty of support, you’ll manage inpatients and complex cases in a fast-paced but well-resourced environment. This role includes a 1-in-4 weekend rota (working with another vet) plus 2–4 night shifts every 4 weeks—all counted as paid hours, not on-call juggling.

The facilities are impressive: three theatres, a dedicated pharmacy team to handle medication requests, 10 consulting rooms running on 20-minute appointments, four wards with heated kennels, and a 24/7 in-patient service that means cases stay in-house and don’t need referral. There’s also opportunity to get involved in driving the practice’s video consultation service forward.

You’ll never work alone or do branch work. The culture here is genuinely focused on developing vets and helping you thrive in the workplace—watch the team talk about it on their YouTube channel to hear it straight from them.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage inpatients and complex small animal cases across dogs (70%), cats (30%), and occasional rabbits/small furries
• Conduct consultations using 20-minute appointment slots with protected in-patient time
• Work collaboratively within a 13-vet team with Advanced Practitioners in ECC, Medicine, and General Practice available for support
• Participate in the practice’s internal 24/7 out-of-hours service on a 1-in-4 weekend rota and 2–4 night shifts per 4-week cycle
• Contribute to developing the video consultation side of the business
• Utilise cutting-edge equipment including brand-new endoscope and Sonovet ultrasound machines

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon registered with the RCVS
• Ideally 2+ years post-qualification experience (but forward-thinking vets at all levels considered)
• Comfortable with regular night work and flexible weekend shifts—this is an essential part of the position
• Conscientious, driven approach to patient care and teamwork
• Willingness to grow and develop in a supportive environment

Benefits

• Salary: £42,000–£70,000 depending on experience and skills matrix
• 5 days paid CPD per year with no financial limit; certificates covered by the practice
• Contributory pension scheme
• Gym membership
• Paid memberships (RCVS and VDS)
• Paid volunteer days
• Flexible working: full-time or part-time hours considered
• Exclusive company discounts and rewards

About the Practice

Vets for Pets operates as the market leader in small animal veterinary care. This Northampton location is a newly built, state-of-the-art hospital featuring three operating theatres, dedicated pharmacy support, 10 consulting rooms, four wards with CASCO heated kennels, and 24/7 in-patient facilities. The practice runs its own internal out-of-hours service, allowing complex cases to remain in-house rather than being transferred elsewhere.

The practice values diversity and inclusion, actively welcoming people from all walks of life. They encourage their team to be their best selves and are intentional about removing barriers to create opportunities for exceptional talent.