At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide exceptional care for small animals and build lasting relationships with clients.
- Company: Higham Vets, an independent practice focused on quality care and professional growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, funded CPD, and private healthcare for you and your children.
- Other info: Join a close-knit team that values collaboration, learning, and having fun together.
- Why this job: Enjoy a supportive environment where you can develop your skills and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: At least 1.5 years of experience; certificate holders are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Looking for a place where you can practice to the best of your ability? With the time, support and facilities to enjoy being a vet? At Higham Vets, we’ve built our independent small-animal practice in the market town of Higham Ferrers around a simple idea: if you give vets the time, trust, and tools to work properly, good clinical work follows naturally.
Continuity that means something
We are extremely proud that continuity sits at the heart of how we work. We lead with our unique Same Vet Promise. You’ll have the opportunity to truly get to know your patients throughout their lives, building trusted long-term relationships with both pets and owners. It’s a rewarding way to practise, allowing you to spot subtle changes, follow cases through properly, and provide genuinely personalised care. For many of our vets, those client relationships become one of the most fulfilling parts of the job. Because of this, our diaries are structured differently. We prioritise realistic caseloads, proper follow-up time, and genuine clinical ownership, rather than simply moving clients through the day.
Designed with comfort in mind
The practice feels more like a boutique hotel than a traditional vet practice, with separate cat and dog waiting areas, heated floors, and air conditioning throughout. We’re proud to offer a high standard of first-opinion medicine and surgery, supported by excellent facilities including digital and dental radiography, high-quality ultrasound, in-house lab, dedicated surgical facilities with laparoscopy, and continual investment in both equipment and clinical capability.
A practice invested in your growth
We’re passionate about helping our vets grow into the kind of clinicians they want to become, whether that’s developing surgical confidence, pursuing advanced qualifications, or building a particular area of clinical interest. You’ll be supported by Charly, the practice owner, who takes an active mentorship role within the team. From surgical wish-lists and hands-on coaching to funded CPD and certificate support, development here is tailored to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. All vets have dedicated quarterly fulfilment meetings focused not just on performance, but on ensuring you’re progressing towards the career, skills and work-life balance you want long term.
We’re proud to be a practice that continues to invest heavily in its people, facilities and clinical standards. Two members of the team are currently studying towards advanced qualifications, and one vet has recently completed their certificate. We would absolutely welcome certificate holders looking to help shape and grow a progressive independent practice.
Over the last year alone, we’ve expanded our inpatient facilities with a stunning new inpatient entrance and ward area, introduced laparoscopic surgery, installed ISFM-standard cat kennels ahead of our Silver award application, and continued expanding our surgical capabilities, with rhinoscopy and gastroscopy planned next. Exciting plans are already underway for a brand-new purpose-built 400m² clinic in 2027, including significantly expanded clinical space and continued investment in cutting-edge equipment as we grow.
A team that wants each other to succeed
We’re currently a 5-vet team, supported by 4 RVNs, 1 SVN, 2 VCAs and an experienced client care team. Our close-knit clinical team has interests spanning emergency and critical care, surgery, medicine, imaging and anaesthesia, creating a genuinely collaborative environment with a strong culture of shared learning and support. Our vets enjoy working alongside experienced colleagues who challenge, support and inspire each other every day. Whether it’s discussing complex cases over coffee, helping someone tackle a new surgical procedure, or simply knowing everyone around you genuinely cares about doing a great job, there’s a real sense of shared purpose.
We’ve built a culture where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and learning from one another, regardless of experience level. Everyone is approachable, everyone mucks in, and vets, nurses and client care teams work closely together to provide exceptional care. We have monthly clinical meetings, regular practice meetings and quarterly socials, but more importantly, we’ve created an environment where people genuinely enjoy coming to work and want each other to succeed.
About the role
We’re looking for a vet with at least 1.5 years’ experience who enjoys both teamwork and clinical development, and values building long-term relationships with clients and patients. We’d also love to hear from certificate holders looking to help shape and grow a progressive independent practice. We’re flexible on rota structure and happy to discuss both 4-day and 5-day weeks, although most of our vets choose a 4-day week.
Typical full-time rota
- 4-day week
- Mix of 8–7, 8–5 and 8–4 shifts
- 1:4 weekends (Saturday 9–3, Sunday 10–3)
- No out-of-hours or overnight inpatient responsibility — these are outsourced to a dedicated local provider
What we offer
- £55,000–£70,000 salary depending on experience
- Up to 20% bonus (not revenue-based)
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
- Holiday buy-back scheme
- CPD encouraged and funded, including certificates
- Professional fees paid
- Private healthcare for you and your children
- Enhanced maternity pay
- Childcare support up to 3 years old
- Relocation support available
- Self-contained accommodation available if needed
- Long-term progression opportunities as the practice grows
Outside of work
Over the last year, our team socials have included race days, baking competitions, meals out, celebrations for team milestones, and the occasional slightly over-competitive pub quiz. Higham Ferrers itself offers the best of both worlds — a friendly market town surrounded by beautiful countryside, yet within easy reach of London, Birmingham and major airports.
Interested?
If this sounds like the kind of environment you’ve been looking for, we’d love to arrange an informal chat or show you around the practice.
Experienced Small Animal Surgeon in Wellingborough employer: Higham Vets
At Higham Vets, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of our team. With a supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and mentorship, we offer tailored development opportunities, competitive salaries, and generous benefits, all within a beautifully designed practice in the charming market town of Higham Ferrers. Our commitment to continuity in care allows you to build meaningful relationships with clients and their pets, making your work both fulfilling and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Small Animal Surgeon in Wellingborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend local meet-ups, or join online forums. Building connections can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up and shine! If you get the chance for an informal chat or a practice tour, make the most of it. Bring your enthusiasm and ask questions about their approach to veterinary care.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your pitch! When you meet potential employers, highlight your experience and how it aligns with their values, especially around building long-term relationships with clients and patients.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After any meeting or chat, drop a quick thank-you email. It shows your interest and keeps you on their radar as they consider candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Experienced Small Animal Surgeon in Wellingborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for veterinary medicine shine through! We want to see why you love being a vet and how you connect with both pets and their owners. Share a story or two that highlights your commitment to building long-term relationships.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role at Higham Vets. Highlight your experience, especially in small animal surgery, and any special qualifications you have. We’re looking for someone who can grow with us, so don’t forget to mention your aspirations and how they align with our values!
Be Authentic:We value authenticity, so be yourself in your application! Don’t just list your skills; share what makes you unique as a vet. Whether it’s your approach to client care or your favourite surgical techniques, we want to know what sets you apart from the rest.
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Higham Vets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your surgical skills and knowledge about small animal medicine. Familiarise yourself with the latest techniques and equipment mentioned in the job description, like laparoscopic surgery and digital radiography. This will show that you're not just a good vet, but also genuinely interested in the practice's growth.
✨Show Your Passion for Client Relationships
Since building long-term relationships with clients and their pets is key at Higham Vets, be prepared to discuss how you've done this in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've provided personalised care and followed cases through, as this aligns perfectly with their Same Vet Promise.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Higham Vets values a close-knit team environment, so highlight your experiences working collaboratively with colleagues. Talk about how you've supported others in complex cases or shared knowledge, as this will resonate with their culture of shared learning and support.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice's future plans, such as the new clinic in 2027 or ongoing CPD opportunities. This shows that you're not only interested in the role but also invested in the practice's vision and your own professional development.
