Veterinary Surgeon - Pet Care, Erith

Are you looking for a supportive and friendly team that can help you develop your skills? Then look no further…

Pet Care Vets is a small animal practice in Erith, South-East London. We're passionate about sharing our knowledge and expertise, and we're incredibly proud of the supportive environment we've cultivated, where everyone is encouraged to learn, grow, and flourish. Our practice really sits at the heart of the Erith community, with our large and loyal client base, many of whom we have known for years. Likewise, we have many long-standing team members who either started with us when the practice opened or completed their training here and staying.

Sam is one of the newer team members and joined us in 2022 and she couldn't be happier with her decision. Here's what she has to say about working with us:

“My initial work experiences following graduation left me feeling really disillusioned about working in GP practice. I decided to move to Pet Care Vets as I really wanted to find a supportive environment. Here, I’m treated as an individual. They really care if you're happy and how you're doing. If there's something you want, you can just chat about it. The RVNs are so brilliant here. They do so much. They're the backbone of the practice, and the sheer number of RVNs and their experience is just phenomenal. If a case comes in later in the day, we’ll all discuss it and make a plan together, and the nurses will often stay to make sure things are sorted for the next day. The reception team cares so much; they're real advocates for the client. The work culture is brilliant and runs throughout the whole practice. This really is the dream job!” Sam MRCVS

Feon joined us in 2022 after graduating from Edinburgh and soon settled into the supportive team. Here is what she has to say; “I absolutely love working here, and I feel really lucky to be working in such a supportive and friendly place as a new graduate vet. We treat each other like a family and constantly check on each other to make sure everyone is doing ok. All the nurses are so amazing and willing to help. I can always be honest about things, and they’ll make sure to listen and tailor to my needs. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever find a place as good as Pet Care, and I don’t think anyone will ever want to leave after working here.”

Anna completes our vet team. She has been with us for nearly 12 years and says, “It’s a really lovely place to work; every member of the staff is really lovely and friendly.”

We also benefit from peripatetic surgeon James Creasey (CertSAS) of London Veterinary Services, which allows us to keep our orthopaedic cases in-house. For our complex medicine cases, we also have Audrey Petite, RCVS and European Specialist in Diagnostic Imaging, and Babis Koffas, a European Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology, who visit regularly.

We have a fantastic, experienced, long-standing nursing team of 7 RVNs, 2 SVNs and 2 VCAs. Many of our nurses trained here and have been with us ever since. This could be because our nurses get to nurse, utilising their skills as they should. We have kennel assistants who clean up at the end of the day, and once the practice is closed, our cleaners come in to make everything sparkle-ready for the morning.

“I did my training here and stayed for five years before I felt like I needed to venture out to try something different. I soon realised that I didn't like it, so when I moved closer to the practice two years ago, it was a no-brainer to come back. It's like a family here, and everybody is trying to do the best we can for the animals, and if there's something wrong or one of our protocols doesn't work, then everybody's open to changing it for the better. It's a great place to come to work every day, and I really don’t think I could work anywhere else.” Kirstie RVN

Whether you’re a seasoned vet looking to expand your horizons and support the future growth of our fantastic practice or you're a new graduate just starting out, we're here to support you every step of the way. We will always encourage you to follow your interests and develop your skills, whether this involves taking on a certificate, in-house training or CPD.

Our vets work a 4-day week with just 1:5 Saturday mornings (8.30-1). With this new role, we'll routinely have three vets working each day, so even when a vet is on holiday so, there’s no sole charge. We have 15-minute appointments and schedule the diary so that every fourth appointment is blocked off to help keep the day running smoothly. This also allows you to catch up on admin and calls throughout the day.

Our out-of-hours are outsourced to Vets Now in Thamesmead, who take the phones on weeknights and at noon on Saturdays. They also look after our inpatients, so there are no nights, Sundays or bank holidays, meaning you have plenty of time to enjoy life outside of work.

We don’t like to limit our Christmas celebrations, so as well as a fun night out (this year it’s a Wham Tribute night!), we also have a Christmas lunch party in practice, swapping Secret Santa gifts as we enjoy food catered by our local pub. We’re a friendly team and regularly organise get-togethers; we enjoy paddleboarding at St Andrew's Lake in the summer or taking on an inflatable assault course. We also meet for meals, dog walks or an escape room challenge.

One of the best things about Erith is its location. It's right on the River Thames, with stunning views of the city skyline. It's got a bit of everything, from a good mix of independent shops and restaurants to scenic river walks. It’s also home to several parks and green spaces, including the Erith Marshes. Travel links are excellent, with easy access to central London and Kent by rail and road. There's also a ferry service to Thamesmead.

Pet Care is part of the Kin Vet Community. Launched in July 2023 with 11 practices, we aim to create a thriving veterinary community that improves the well-being of our colleagues, clients, and animals.

Our values guide us:

Empathy - We approach our clients, their pets, and each other with the warmth and understanding we all deserve. Within our community, we nurture and respect each other.

Transparency - We openly share intentions and knowledge to build understanding and integrity. We provide clear and straightforward communication across our community.

Trust - We earn the trust and confidence placed in us. We are collaborative and dependable, ensuring we deliver the best possible care.

We are offering:

• A salary of £36,000 - £70,000
• 6.6 weeks holiday, including bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• CPD encouraged with certificates supported and funded
• Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS and BVA
• Private Healthcare with Vitality
• Visas sponsored.

If you want to know more about the mentorship and support our amazing team can offer, please apply now.