At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch veterinary care for small animals in a friendly practice.
- Company: Join Clifton Lodge, a well-established veterinary group in the North East.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, CPD allowance, and various employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, with opportunities for career progression and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while working with a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Confident in routine consults and surgery; team player with good communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Veterinary Surgeon wanted for a friendly small animal practice in the North East of England.
About us
Clifton Lodge is a well-established practice that has been providing veterinary care to the region since 1950. We are a small animal only practice spread across 4 sites. The main site is located in the seaside town of Hartlepool, with surrounding branches in Horden, Billingham and Sedgefield. We are fortunate to have access not only to some outstanding beaches but also a stone’s throw away from beautiful countryside and the historic cities of Durham and York.
We are a welcoming team, led by our clinical directors Zoe and Christo and practice manager Donna. Our veterinary team includes certificate holders in surgery, dentistry, imaging, cardiology and minimally invasive surgery. We have a lovely and dedicated team of RVNs, VCAs and ANAs which also includes certificate holders in medicine and anaesthesia. We will soon be looking to relocate our main surgery in Hartlepool and to expand our team accordingly. We have exciting plans to include CT in our new site. We are already well equipped at all our sites including ultrasound, digital and dental x-ray and endoscopy/laparoscopy.
As a team, we pride ourselves in providing a high standard of care in a friendly environment to our lovely clients. We actively encourage personal development in all our team members and try to give everyone the opportunity to expand their knowledge and learn new skills. We are a very busy and varied practice but have good diary management with appointments set aside to ‘release on the day’ to always allow time to accommodate emergencies and sick animals alongside our prebooked routine work. We provide 20 minute appointment slots so we have plenty of time to work cases up, communicate well with owners and write up our case notes. We also allow time within the day to call clients with lab results or any admin that may build up throughout the day.
Who we're looking for
We are ideally looking for a vet who is confident with both routine consults and surgery and is also happy to sometimes work sole charge. There is also an opportunity for those that may be wishing to adopt a more senior role which would include mentoring the less experienced members of our team/GDP advisory role. This person should be a team player with good communication skills that is happy to sometimes deal with more challenging/difficult conversations and situations.
The Role
The full-time role is based on a 40h week incorporating 1 in 4 Saturdays with no out of hours, but we would consider a part time candidate for those looking for a more flexible work/life balance. Salary will be dependent on experience and role.
As part of the VetPartners family, we offer the following benefits:
- CPD allowance of £1.7k
- Health Shield
- RCVS membership paid
- Up to 2 other memberships paid
- VDS cover
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, shared paternity leave and surrogacy pay
- Discounted veterinary fees
- My Benefits – various discounts, including gym memberships and retail
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced company sick pay
- Annual pay reviews
- Focus on employee wellbeing
- Career progression opportunities actively encouraged
Contact us for more details or to arrange an interview and meet our fabulous team.
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon employer: Armstrong Vets
Clifton Lodge Veterinary Group is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque seaside town of Hartlepool, offering a supportive and friendly work environment for veterinary professionals. With a strong emphasis on personal development, our team enjoys access to advanced facilities and a commitment to high standards of care, alongside generous benefits such as CPD allowances, enhanced leave policies, and a focus on employee wellbeing. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and provides opportunities for career progression in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to veterinary practice. Role-play with a friend or family member to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for animal care during interviews. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to the profession and your ability to handle challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our friendly team at Clifton Lodge.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your love for animals and veterinary care shine through in your application. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to animal welfare and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role we’re offering. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match what we’re looking for, especially in routine consults and surgery. A personalised CV shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention your communication skills and ability to handle challenging situations, as these are key for our practice.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role or our practice.
How to prepare for a job interview at Armstrong Vets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially regarding small animal care. Familiarise yourself with common procedures and conditions you might encounter in the practice. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since they’re looking for a team player, be ready to discuss your experiences working in a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues or mentored others. Highlighting your communication skills and ability to handle challenging conversations will set you apart.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice, such as their approach to continuing professional development or how they manage emergency cases. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in their operations and are thinking about how you can contribute.
✨Be Yourself
While it’s important to be professional, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. Clifton Lodge values a friendly environment, so showing your genuine self can help them see how you’d fit into their team culture.
