Veterinary Surgeon

The Vet Whetstone is the Trading Name of ABJV Ltd; Chipping Barnet; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Maternity leave

Paternity leave

Family leave

Private healthcare (from Apr 2027)

Employee Assistance Programme

Eye tests

Relocation package

CPD allowance £2,500

Professional memberships (BVA, VetLex)

RCVS/VDS fees covered

Staff discount

Occupational Health

Job summary

The Vet Whetstone is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. You’ll develop clinical skills, work four days a week, and deliver first‑opinion care across consultations, routine surgery and unexpected cases.

Initially you’ll take sole charge on Thursdays, with support from our Clinical Director when available; duties include handling emergencies, building confidence, and contributing to a growing practice within Kin Vet Community UK.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years’ experience in veterinary practice
• Comfortable working independently and taking sole charge
• Experience in routine first‑opinion practice and routine surgery (dog/cat castrations)
• Ability to assess and manage basic emergency and critical care cases
• Calm and adaptable when unexpected cases arise
• Enjoys collaborating with colleagues and clients
• Willingness to pursue OV status long‑term (advantage)

Responsibilities

• Deliver first‑opinion care across consultations, routine surgery and unexpected cases
• Initially take sole-charge responsibility on Thursdays
• Manage emergencies and critical care when needed
• Support development of surgical skills through mentorship
• Contribute to a growing practice within Kin Vet Community UK

Skills

Sole charge

First‑opinion care

Surgical skills

Emergency/critical care

Client communication

Team collaboration

Learning mindset

Job description

Looking for a role where you can continue developing your clinical skills while enjoying a working week that leaves room for life outside practice?

The Vet Whetstone, part of Kin Vet Community UK, is looking for a Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. With a supportive Clinical Director who enjoys teaching, this is an opportunity to build your confidence, develop your surgical skills and help shape a growing team.

Your Role

You’ll work four days per week within our Monday–Friday opening hours, delivering first-opinion care across consultations, routine surgery and unexpected cases.

You’ll initially take sole charge on Thursdays, the Clinical Director’s day off, so you’ll need to be comfortable making clinical decisions independently and managing basic emergency and critical care cases.

Where possible, we will structure your sole-charge day around routine appointments, particularly while you settle in. However, emergencies do arise, so confidence in assessing and managing these cases is essential.

We aim to arrange locum cover during the Clinical Director’s holidays, although occasional additional sole-charge cover may be required if a locum cannot be secured.

Support to Develop

Our Clinical Director is passionate about teaching and helping colleagues progress, particularly with their surgical skills.

You don’t need to arrive knowing everything. You’ll bring a sound clinical foundation, an enthusiasm for learning and the judgement to recognise when support is needed. In return, you’ll have opportunities to develop skills and learn from an experienced colleague who is invested in your progress.

You’ll also join a relatively new team, giving you the chance to build strong working relationships and contribute to how the practice develops.

About You

This role would particularly suit a Vet with around 1–2 years’ experience, although confidence and clinical capability matter more than a specific number of years.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is comfortable working independently and taking sole charge.
• Has experience in routine first-opinion practice and routine surgery, including dog and cat castrations.
• Can assess and manage basic emergency and critical care cases.
• Remains calm and adaptable when unexpected cases present.
• Enjoys working collaboratively and building relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Is enthusiastic about veterinary practice and keen to keep learning.

Official Veterinarian (OV) status would be an advantage, but isn’t essential when you join. We would look for a willingness to work towards this longer term.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you, your family and your career, including:

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after five years.
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave – up to six months at 90% pay, depending on length of service.
• Enhanced paternity leave – up to four weeks’ full pay.
• Five days’ family leave for compassionate or emergency situations.
• Private healthcare from April 2027.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential wellbeing support.
• Free eye tests.
• Relocation package, where applicable.
• £2,500 annual CPD allowance to support your clinical development.
• Professional memberships, including BVA as appropriate, plus VetLexicon access.
• RCVS and VDS fees covered.
• Staff discount on veterinary care within our practices.
• Occupational Health Support.