Veterinary surgeon required for Kent Independent in England

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to join this independent practice that is continuing to grow and develop. As a relatively new practice, they have already built a client base of more than 1,200 and are now looking for a third vet to help support its expanding caseload and shape its future direction.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who values clinical freedom, enjoys working within a close-knit team and wants to have a genuine influence on how a practice evolves. As an established but still relatively young business, they offer the security of a growing caseload, modern facilities and an experienced team, alongside the opportunity to contribute ideas, develop services and help build something for the long term.

The ideal candidate will be a confident all-round GP vet with solid post-graduate experience in first-opinion practice. They should be comfortable with consultations, routine surgery and managing their own cases, with no particular certificate or specialist interest required. A collaborative approach, a willingness to share knowledge and a commitment to providing excellent patient care are more important than having a specific clinical specialism.

Regular team meetings provide an opportunity to discuss improvements, share suggestions and influence the way the practice operates. As the business develops, there will also be scope to pursue individual clinical interests and help introduce new services.

The practice is passionate about the value of general practice and offers a varied caseload covering preventative healthcare, medical investigations, routine surgery and emergency procedures. With more clients returning and increasingly complex cases presenting, there is plenty of opportunity to use and develop a broad range of clinical skills.

One of the senior vets holds a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and is happy to support colleagues with more complex procedures. The practice also works with an experienced visiting surgeon, enabling a range of orthopaedic procedures to be carried out in-house.

Whether your strengths lie in medicine, consulting, surgery or imaging, you'll be encouraged to develop your interests while contributing across the core areas of first-opinion work. The recently refurbished clinical areas provide an excellent working environment, with digital radiography, ultrasound, a dedicated surgical theatre and preparation area, a separate dental suite with dental radiography, and isolation facilities. Separate waiting areas for cats and dogs also help create a more comfortable experience for patients and their owners.

The role offers a salary of £45,000–£70,000, depending on experience, with a four-day working week averaging 40 hours and a one-in-three Saturday rota. There are no routine out-of-hours duties, helping to support a healthy work-life balance. The package also includes 5.6 weeks' annual leave, including bank holidays, with time off in lieu for any bank holidays worked. RCVS and VDS fees are covered, and CPD is actively encouraged and supported.

Situated in the heart of the Kent countryside, while remaining well connected to other parts of the country. Nearby Staplehurst provides rail links to London in under an hour, while the coast and Gatwick Airport are also approximately an hour away. They are building a long-term presence in the local community, with a focus on personal service, continuity of care and strong relationships with clients.

For a vet seeking clinical autonomy, a supportive team and the opportunity to help shape an ambitious independent practice, this is a chance to become part of its next stage of growth.