Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Northlands Veterinary Hospital; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary hospital in Kettering is seeking a dedicated veterinarian to join their team. The role emphasizes a supportive work environment where your skills will be valued. Ideal candidates will have some experience and a commitment to ongoing professional development. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, including flexible working hours and opportunities for CPD.

Benefits

Salary between £45,000 – £70,000 based on experience

6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays

CPD allowance of £1,750 plus additional funding for certificates

Professional fees paid for RCVS and VDS

Relocation package available

Discounted vet fees

Healthshield Personal Health Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Must have completed VetGDP and have some experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Open to continuous learning and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality veterinary care to patients.
• Collaborate with a supportive team on cases.
• Engage in continuous learning through in-house training.

Skills

Experience in veterinary practice

Team collaboration

Patient care

Strong communication

Education

Qualified Veterinary Surgeon

Job description

Ready to make a real impact and progress your career in a modern hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and a genuinely supportive team?

We’re expanding our vet team and are looking for a dedicated vet with some experience to join us at our forward-thinking hospital in Kettering. This is a brilliant opportunity to become part of a supportive team where your expertise will be truly valued. Whether you’ve recently completed your VetGDP and are eager to develop your skills, or you’re a more experienced vet exploring your interests, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

About Us

Established in the 1960s, Northlands has evolved into a multi‑centre group with our hospital in Kettering, which opened in 2021, and six stand‑alone branch surgeries across Northamptonshire. We have a dedicated out‑of‑hours team to provide comprehensive 24‑hour patient care, without the need for our day team to work nights.

Our fantastic team of 14 vets brings a mix of experience, from new graduates to those with over 40 years in practice, and a wide range of clinical interests, including internal medicine, neurology and cardiology. Hans, our Hospital Director, has a special interest in both soft tissue surgery and ultrasound. Kim and Simon, who lead our dedicated Cat & Rabbit Clinic, have earned such a strong reputation that clients travel from across the UK—and even from Europe—to benefit from their expertise. Our vets are brilliantly supported by our large and highly skilled nursing team, who are essential to keeping things running smoothly and delivering outstanding care.

We actively encourage all our vets to work up and follow their cases through, and have invested in the very best facilities with everything you need for thorough diagnostics and treatment – including a CT scanner, digital and dental X‑ray, endoscopy, advanced ultrasound with cardiac capabilities, and two spacious theatres. This enables us to manage the vast majority of cases in‑house. For any complex orthopaedic and soft tissue procedures, we also benefit from the expertise of an Advanced Practitioner in small animal surgery, who is on‑site three days a week.

Our collaborative environment and commitment to continuous learning are evident in our daily routine. We hold rounds twice a day for shared learning and input, alongside regular in‑house training and dedicated ‘reset days’ three times a year for focused development. We champion an evidence‑based approach to continuously improve our clinical standards and encourage open discussion, welcoming feedback on practice protocols.

We also make time for regular one‑to‑one chats to check in on how people are doing and to support personal development plans. Most importantly, we genuinely prioritise our team's well‑being. Through our partnership with Mind, we provide meaningful mental health support, including monthly visits from our dedicated Mind support worker, Callum.

What Our Team Thinks About Us

“I joined the Northlands team as a new graduate. I was welcomed and made to feel a part of the team from day one. I have grown to become the vet surgeon I am thanks to their support and guidance.” Antonella MRCVS

“I have been given more opportunities to progress my career here than I have anywhere else. The support that we all have for each other is what makes this a great team to work with.” Katy, Senior Administrator

“I genuinely have nothing but good things to say about the practice. I was made to feel very welcome on my arrival here, and that has not changed. I have received an unlimited amount of support from everyone, including managers, administrative staff and all clinical staff alike. Regular training is provided, which is ongoing and has enabled me to learn and adapt to my role very quickly. I would not hesitate to recommend Northlands as an employer.” Karen, Administrator

The Rota

We offer a flexible rota, letting you choose between a 4‑day or 5‑day week to best suit your needs. Our days are scheduled to ensure there is time throughout the day to catch up on admin, make phone calls and have a proper hour’s lunch, which you can enjoy in our comfortable break area.

We value everyone's work‑life balance. That’s why we have our own dedicated team of night vets and nurses, meaning there are no out‑of‑hours for our day vets. Our weekend rota is a manageable 1:8 daytimes only (Saturday and Sunday), with an additional 1:8 short shift on either day. You’ll also receive time off in lieu of any weekend shifts worked.

Outside of Work

We’re a sociable team that loves spending time together outside of work. You can expect annual highlights like our Christmas party and summer BBQs, fun events like our practice Easter egg hunt, and opportunities to give back through charity fundraising. Our Head Nurse and Senior Nurse conquered the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, hiking over 24 miles, climbing 2,100 metres and taking around 45,000 steps in 13 hours! Their incredible effort raised over £1,000 for The Stray Animal Fund and StreetVet. This year, we’re focused on raising funds for Mind.

Our practice is located in the heart of Kettering, a charming market town known for its independent shops, cosy pubs, and excellent local restaurants. We’re especially fond of our neighbourhood favourite, Butterwick Bakery, which we visit often. Situated on the border of Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, the area is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Kettering benefits from excellent road and rail links, with Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Leicester and Derby all reachable in under an hour. Birmingham and Luton airports are easily reached within an hour, and Stansted is just over an hour away.

We Offer

• A salary of £45,000 – £70,000, depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Basic CPD allowance of £1,750 and 5 days, plus certificates encouraged, funded and supported, including additional CPD days as needed
• Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS, plus one membership of your choice
• Relocation package available
• Temporary accommodation available during relocation
• Discounted vet fees
• My Perks – offers, discounts, and cashback on shopping, travel, entertainment, and more
• Healthshield Personal Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave, and surrogacy pay

If you’re looking for career progression in a practice with excellent facilities and a friendly, supportive team, please call us for an informal chat or apply now.