Veterinary Surgeon Diplomate - Surgery

An exciting opportunity to develop your surgical career 

Are you a board-certified Small Animal Surgeon, or have you completed an approved residency and are preparing to sit your board examinations? Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your surgical skills, work alongside experienced Diplomates and contribute to a growing referral hospital? 

At Kentdale Referrals, we’re looking for a motivated and collaborative surgeon to join our established surgical team. We’re particularly interested in candidates with experience across both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, who are keen to contribute to a varied and rewarding referral caseload. 

With our new hospital opening on the outskirts of Carnforth, close to Junction 35 of the M6, this is an exciting time to join the team. You’ll have the opportunity to help shape the future of our surgical service, support its continued growth and play an important role in the next chapter of Kentdale. 

Your role and responsibilities 

You’ll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary referral hospital, working closely with experienced surgeons and colleagues across the clinical teams to deliver excellent patient care. 

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Managing a varied caseload of soft tissue and orthopaedic referral cases. 

• Providing high standards of care for surgical inpatients throughout their hospital stay. 

• Supporting referring veterinary surgeons with clinical advice and out-of-hours support. 

• Working collaboratively with the wider hospital team to facilitate the acceptance and management of routine, urgent and emergency surgical referrals. 

• Contributing to clinical discussions, case reviews and the ongoing development of the surgical service. 

• Supporting referring practices through case-based advice and external CPD, including lunch-and-learn sessions. 

Learning, development and clinical collaboration 

We’re committed to developing our people and maintaining a culture of shared learning. You’ll work alongside experienced Diplomate surgeons, with opportunities to broaden your clinical experience, develop your surgical capabilities and continue progressing towards your professional goals. 

Our teams work collaboratively across surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and physiotherapy, creating opportunities to learn from a wide range of clinical expertise. 

We’re looking for someone who brings: 

• Recognised specialist status in Small Animal Surgery or completion of an approved residency programme, with the intention of sitting the relevant board examination. 

• Experience in soft tissue and/or orthopaedic surgery, ideally across both disciplines. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with colleagues and referring veterinary surgeons. 

• A proactive approach to clinical problem-solving and a commitment to high standards of patient care and animal welfare. 

• A positive, team-focused mindset and an enthusiasm for contributing to the continued development of the hospital. 

Our benefits

We want our people to feel supported, valued and able to develop their careers. Our benefits include: 

• 5 weeks’ annual leave, plus bank holidays and birthday leave

• RCVS and VDS fees paid. 

• Funded external CPD and access to an extensive online Linnaeus CPD programme. 

• Career development and progression opportunities. 

• Staff discount schemes. 

• Life assurance. 

• Enhanced sickness pay. 

• Employer pension contributions. 

• A wellbeing programme, including: 

• Employee Assistance Programme. 

• Eyecare voucher scheme. 

• Free annual flu vaccination. 

• Cycle to Work scheme. 

About Us 

 
As one of the leading small animal referral centres in the UK, we have been delivering excellence in pet healthcare for over 10 years. We have a new hospital opening in 2027 and this role will play a key part in setting this up for success. 

 
Currently located on the edge of the beautiful Lake District in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, Kentdale is a specialist-led referral centre treating a wide range of surgical patients in our veterinary hospital. Our service teams include Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, Soft Tissue Surgery and Physiotherapy.  The new hospital will be based on the outskirts of Carnforth at J35 M6. 

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the Apply Button or for more information, please feel free to reach out directly to Sian Emery (Talent Acquisition Partner) at [email protected]