At a Glance
- 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.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant location in Bedford with excellent transport links and plenty of activities.
- 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.
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
Acorn House is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for veterinary surgeons in the picturesque town of Bedford. With a strong focus on professional development, our team enjoys access to extensive CPD opportunities, including free online courses from the Royal Veterinary College, and a structured rota that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Our commitment to high-quality care and employee well-being, combined with our state-of-the-art facilities and a friendly, dedicated team, makes Acorn House a rewarding place to advance your veterinary career.
Contact Details:
Acorn House Veterinary Hospital Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Acorn House Veterinary Hospital often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital.
