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- Tasks: Join our team to perform surgeries and manage a varied caseload in a supportive environment.
- Company: Acorn House, an RCVS Accredited Small Animal Hospital with a focus on high-quality care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, CPD support, and a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your skills in a friendly team.
- Qualifications: Experienced veterinary surgeon with a passion for surgery and emergency procedures.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant location in Bedford with excellent transport links and plenty of activities.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
Acorn House is a 12 Vet RCVS Accredited Small Animal Hospital in the beautiful county town of Bedford. We are an experienced and knowledgeable team with a busy and varied caseload and excellent facilities, including laparoscopic and orthopaedic kits, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, a dental suite with digital radiography, and ultrasound. We have dedicated dog, cat and exotic wards and have recently completed our extension, increasing our space to three theatres, two dental suites, a new dog ward, and a surgical supplies room. Acorn House runs as an independent practice but since 2018 has been owned by the Royal Veterinary College, operating as a flagship practice modelling high-quality first opinion care to their veterinary students. We are an ISFM Gold Standard Cat friendly Clinic, Dogs Trust Dog Friendly Clinic and currently undergoing our reaccreditation to maintain our RWAF Gold Rabbit Friendly Practice status. We are proud to be an RCVS-approved Graduate Development and Veterinary Nurse Training Practice and to have achieved Bronze Investors in the Environment accreditation.
Our team includes many experienced clinicians including Advanced Practitioners in Dentistry and Zoological medicine and vets working towards certificates in Small Animal Medicine, Small Animal Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging. We are extremely fortunate to have a fantastic nursing team, led by our Head Nurse who holds an RCVS diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (surgical) and an ECC certificate. Amongst our nursing team are certificate holders in anaesthesia, exotics, feline nursing and veterinary education. We are proud to be a VN training provider and our SVN’s are well supported by several clinical coaches. Our amazing Client Care team including Accredited Veterinary Receptionists provide vital support to our clients and the clinical and management teams. Their friendly and helpful outlook embodies the Acorn House ethos.
The role
We’re looking for an experienced veterinary surgeon with a passion for operating and the confidence to take on a varied surgical caseload. This role is ideal for someone with a strong surgical bias who is comfortable with a full range of first-opinion procedures and capable of managing emergency surgeries such as GDVs. An interest in more advanced soft-tissue work, including BOAS, would fit brilliantly with our current caseload and the support we can offer.
Career progression
We are a practice focused on learning and development. We absolutely encourage our vets to follow their interests and further develop their skills. If you want to take on a certificate, we have the facilities and caseload to support this. If you already have a certificate, we will help you achieve and maintain Advanced Practitioner status. Vets with AVP’s have the opportunity to join our Senior Vet team with additional management responsibilities. As a teaching hospital, the RVC provides all our vets free online CPD including courses to help mentor and support veterinary students and new graduates.
Our rota
We know how essential a good work-life balance is to well-being and job satisfaction. That’s why we’ve designed our rota to have set days and shifts, meaning you’ll always know in advance what you’re working so you can easily make plans outside of work. Our vets work a 4-day week with a fixed day off and just one Saturday shift (8-4.30) every month. Each week will include consulting, operating, and a late shift, with a support shift every two weeks. The support shift runs from 8.30-7 with no appointments scheduled. This means the support vet is free to see any urgent/emergency appointments with an extended 30-minute consultation and to help out the rest of the team where needed.
We provide our own out-of-hours service and have a dedicated ECC RVN on-site to provide 24-hour inpatient care. Our on-call rota is minimal, with just one weeknight every two weeks and one weekend on-call every two months. The ECC nurse takes calls in the first instance, so the vet can easily be on call from home, or if you’d prefer to stay on-site, we have a room available at the practice. The RVC takes the phones between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., so from 11 p.m., the on-call is inpatient only, which means you usually get a good night’s sleep during your shift.
Location
Bedford is a lovely market town surrounded by beautiful countryside, including the nearby Marston Vales and Chiltern Hills. Whether you fancy a boat ride along the River Ouse, a country walk, mountain biking or a trip to the weekly market, escape rooms or cinema trips there’s lots to do on our doorstep. Milton Keynes with its large shopping centre, Snow Dome and Theatre is a 20 minute drive away. There are also excellent transport links, with Luton Airport and London 30-50 minutes away by train. Bedford sits between the A1 and M1 providing excellent road links to the rest of the country.
The Package
- A salary of £46,000 - £68,000 based on experience, plus out-of-hours bonus scheme and additional supplements for Certificate holders and AVP’s
- Transparent salary banding with clear career progression
- Five weeks holiday, plus bank holidays, and holiday increases with length of service
- Additionally, you’ll receive two paid personal days to help with unexpected events, and if you don’t use them, they will be added to your holiday at the end of the year
- CPD is actively encouraged, with certificates and AVP status supported and funded, and unlimited online CPD available with the RVC
- Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS and BSAVA
- Weekly Yoga classes
- Employee Assistance Program through BUPA
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Happy to sponsor visas
If you like what you hear and want to know more, call us for an informal chat, or apply now with your CV and covering letter by clicking the Apply now button.
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon employer: Acorn House Veterinary Hospital
Contact Detail:
Acorn House Veterinary Hospital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team at Acorn House! Reach out on social media or through our website to connect with current staff. This not only shows your interest but also gives you insider info about the practice culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by brushing up on common veterinary scenarios, especially those related to emergency surgeries. Show us your passion for surgery and how you handle varied caseloads!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your qualifications; highlight your eagerness to learn and grow. Mention any specific interests in advanced procedures like BOAS, as we love supporting our vets in their professional development.
✨Tip Number 4
When you apply, make sure to showcase your personality! We value a friendly and helpful attitude, so let that shine through in your conversations and interactions with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match what we're looking for in a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon. Highlight your surgical experience and any special interests, like advanced soft-tissue work, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for veterinary medicine and why you want to join our team at Acorn House. Be genuine and let us know how you can contribute to our ethos and culture.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We love a collaborative environment, so mention any experiences where you've worked well in a team. Whether it's supporting colleagues during busy shifts or mentoring students, we want to see how you fit into our friendly practice.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen to be part of our community right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on your surgical skills and procedures relevant to small animals. Be ready to discuss your experience with emergency surgeries like GDVs and any advanced soft-tissue work you've done. This shows you're not just a vet, but a passionate one!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Acorn House values teamwork, so be prepared to talk about how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've worked with nurses or other vets in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlighting your ability to support and mentor others will resonate well.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about their facilities, training opportunities, and team dynamics. Inquire about their approach to CPD and how they support vets pursuing further qualifications. This shows you're genuinely interested in growing with the practice.
✨Be Yourself
While professionalism is key, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. Acorn House appreciates a friendly and approachable attitude, so be genuine and share your passion for veterinary medicine. A good cultural fit can be just as important as your qualifications!
