Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

Salary up to £70,000 DOE plus a relocation allowance up to £5,000 and a welcome bonus up to £5,000.

About the Practice

Barton Lodge Vets has been proudly caring for pets in the Hemel Hempstead community for over 50 years. Our reputation is built on compassion, high standards, and long‑term relationships with clients who trust us to care for their beloved animals.

A Modern Practice with a Rich History

Our practice has a warm, welcoming atmosphere while offering up‑to‑date facilities designed to help you work at your best. We have a dedicated operating theatre, three consulting rooms (including a nurse consult room), a large prep area, separate dog and cat wards, isolation kennels and an imaging and dental suite with digital X‑ray. You’ll also find a dispensary and office space for admin work.

Varied

Caseload to Keep You Engaged

We offer a good balance of surgery and consulting, ensuring variety and clinical challenge. Our patients include cats, dogs, rabbits and small furries from guinea pigs to the occasional hamster or rat. You’ll perform routine surgeries such as neutering and lump removals, alongside dentals, more complex soft‑tissue surgeries and ECC work when needed.

Equipment to Support Your Skills

You’ll have access to an extensive range of diagnostic and surgical equipment including a MyLab 25 Gold E‑SAOTE ultrasound scanner, in‑house laboratory, multi‑parameter monitor, tonometer, endoscope, blood pressure monitor, EPOC analyser, dental X‑ray and a fully equipped X‑ray suite.

Team and Support

Our close‑knit team includes three vets, five RVNs, two SVNs, two receptionists and a practice manager. We’re proud to have an AVP certificate holder in Small Animal Medicine and GP certificates in Feline Medicine and Small Animal Medicine, ensuring you’ll always have knowledgeable colleagues to collaborate with.

Work‑Life Balance

This role offers a great work‑life balance. Full‑time hours consist of four 10‑hour days (8 am – 7 pm) and one in‑four Saturday mornings – sole charge (8 am – 1 pm). There are no out‑of‑hours, Sundays or bank holiday duties, as we’re fortunate to be a Vets Now host practice, meaning our in‑patients are cared for overnight by our dedicated emergency team all under our own roof.

Community

Involvement

We’re proud to support a number of animal welfare charities, including the local RSPCA, Cats Protection, and Dogs Trust. As part of the IVC Evidensia family, we also work closely with Street Vet, helping to provide veterinary care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness.

Life in Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead is a vibrant and well‑connected town in Hertfordshire, offering an excellent balance between green, open spaces and modern amenities. Set among rolling countryside and close to the Chiltern Hills, it’s perfect for those who enjoy walking, cycling, and outdoor adventures. The town itself has a welcoming community feel, with plenty of shops, cafés, restaurants, and leisure facilities, including parks, gyms, and a popular sports centre with various swimming pools, fitness classes, squash,,, football and we also have The Snow Centre.

With easy access to the M1 and M25, and direct train links to London in under 30 minutes, Hemel Hempstead is ideal for professionals looking for a relaxed lifestyle with all the convenience of the city close by.

Benefits and Development

• 6.6 weeks annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
• Certificate support and learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
• All our Vets get £1,250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships & Colleague Benefits

• BVA membership
• VDS cover
• RCVS fees
• Company pension…