At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, performing surgeries and consultations.
- Company: Bramble & Bear is a forward-thinking veterinary practice focused on exceptional pet care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and an uncapped CPD budget for professional growth.
- Other info: Work-life balance with a 4-day week and opportunities for social events and outdoor activities.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team in a unique setting, making a real difference in pet care.
- Qualifications: Some experience in veterinary practice and confidence in routine surgical procedures required.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 68000 £ per year.
Overview
Join the supportive team at Bramble & Bear as we grow our independent, forward-thinking practice with the launch of our brand-new Hospital and Rehab Centre.
About Us
Matt and I (Hannah) began our journey just over three years ago when a shared passion for veterinary medicine and providing exceptional care to both pets and their owners drove us to open Bramble and Bear. As vets who have managed several practices between us, we wanted to bring the best aspects of our experiences in practice together with all the fantastic ideas we hadn’t been able to implement. Our goal was to create a forward-thinking practice and foster an environment where everyone can thrive and enjoy their work.
The hospital will feature two fully equipped theatres, a dedicated dental suite, and an imaging suite equipped with DR X-ray, Doppler ultrasound, and endoscopy, allowing us to treat most cases in-house. In keeping with our Fear-Free accreditation, we’re also creating separate cat and dog wards to ensure a calm, stress-free environment for all our patients, as well as an outdoor space for inpatients and our team to enjoy fresh air and a moment of calm during recovery or downtime. Being situated on a working farm provides a peaceful atmosphere, and it’s great to have the farm shop and café next door if we fancy a treat for lunch.
Alongside the hospital, our Rehab Centre will offer advanced rehabilitation services, including an underwater treadmill, hydrotherapy, and a dedicated physiotherapy space. These facilities will allow us to support pets through post-operative recovery, chronic pain management, and mobility issues—all under one roof.
We aim to care for every pet and client with compassion, expertise, and at an affordable price. That’s why we’re transparent with our pricing—offering free consultations and fixed-cost hospitalisation and surgery. It’s helped us build strong, trusting relationships with our clients, who appreciate knowing exactly what to expect. Once the Hospital opens, our team will be on-site 24/7, allowing us to offer those free consultations around the clock and making a real difference to our clients and the local community.
Our Team
I enjoy all aspects of small animal work, but I am particularly interested in internal medicine, ECC, and cardiology, while Matt enjoys soft-tissue surgeries, including BOAS and hiatal hernias. We\'re both currently working towards our ECC certificates. Matt also loves mentoring and even took a break from clinical work to complete his teaching degree. His support has been invaluable to Iona, who joined us as a new graduate in 2024, and we’re excited to be welcoming Grace to the team when she graduates this July. We also have regular visits from an orthopaedic surgeon to perform any fracture repairs or cruciate surgeries in-house.
We had previously worked with Anna, our Head Nurse, and were so pleased she shared our ethos and was willing to start this journey with us. Anna has many years of experience and has recently completed her certificate in feline nursing. We are an accredited nurse training practice, with a team of 3 RVNs and 1 SVN.
“Here at Bramble and Bear, we see a large, varied caseload in an idyllic setting. We are well-equipped for a variety of emergency and critical care cases, and as a team, we strive to give the best possible patient and client care. We enrol new clients and patients daily, and no two days are ever the same.”
The team enjoys a challenge, but also has a laugh along the way. We are complimented on our professional and personal touches, and this is what makes us truly stand out as a lovely place to work.”
Grace RVN
“I enjoy working at Bramble and Bear as there is always something new to learn here. They see a large variety of cases, which keeps each day different, and everyone in the team gets to be involved. The team are very welcoming and we all get on like a little family. The values that Hannah and Matt have created for Bramble and Bear shine through every day to make the practice open to everyone and to uphold really high standards.”
About the Role
As our journey continues, we are looking for a fifth vet to join us. Ideally, you will have some experience and be confident in performing routine surgical procedures. Support is always available if you need to chat through a case or to provide an extra pair of hands as you build your confidence in more complex surgeries. We will encourage you to follow your interests and have the varied caseload needed to support certificates, if you would like to pursue one.
Our vets work a 4-day week (8.30-6.30), and our days are a mix of consults and operating, so there is plenty of time to hone your skills. We currently provide our own out-of-hours service, shared on a 1-in-4 weekend and one weeknight on-call basis. The weekend includes your Saturday consult shift (9-12), which is reserved for non-routine or urgent cases only. Thanks to our free daytime consultations, out-of-hours work is typically very manageable—usually just one or two advice calls per week—and if there are no inpatients, you’ll be able to be on-call from home, only attending the practice if needed. Once the hospital opens and our dedicated night team is in place, there will be no on-call requirements.
Outside of Work
We\'re a friendly bunch who love getting together outside work to catch up and unwind. Whether it's enjoying a well-deserved drink at the local pub, exploring the great outdoors with our canine crew (feel free to borrow one of ours!), or celebrating the festive season with our annual Christmas party. As our team grows, we look forward to even more social events and creating lasting memories together.
The Staffordshire Moorlands are perfect for walking and cycling, and you can enjoy incredible views from the nearby craggy rocks of the Roaches, which overlook Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir, where you can go sailing or kayaking. Stoke-on-Trent is one of the greenest cities in the UK, with many green spaces and parks, including Westport Lake and Park Hall Country Park. There are excellent transport links, with Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham easily reached in an hour, and for thrill seekers, Alton Towers is just 20 minutes away.
We Offer
- A salary of £40,000 to £80,000, depending on experience
- 5.6 weeks’ holiday, including bank holidays
- Uncapped CPD budget, with certificates supported and funded
- Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS & BVA/BSAVA
- Bupa private healthcare
If you want to be part of our exciting adventure and build a rewarding career, we'd love to hear from you. Give us a call for an informal chat, or apply now
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon employer: Bramble and Bear Vet Care
Bramble and Bear Vet Care is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a unique night rota providing ample time off, competitive salaries, and an uncapped CPD budget, this role not only allows you to excel in emergency veterinary care but also ensures a balanced lifestyle in the vibrant East Midlands region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Bramble & Bear's ethos and values. Understanding their commitment to compassionate care and innovative practices will help you align your own experiences and aspirations with what they are looking for in a candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any specific experience you have with emergency and critical care, as well as soft-tissue surgeries. Given that the team values diverse skills, showcasing your proficiency in these areas can set you apart from other applicants.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the veterinary community online or through local events. Networking with current or former employees of Bramble & Bear can provide insights into the team culture and expectations, which you can leverage during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your interests in veterinary medicine, especially if they align with the specialities of the current team members. Showing enthusiasm for areas like internal medicine or rehabilitation can demonstrate your eagerness to contribute to their forward-thinking practice.
We think you need these skills to ace Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in small animal veterinary practice. Include specific skills related to surgical procedures, emergency care, and any special interests that align with Bramble & Bear's ethos.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for veterinary medicine and your desire to join a forward-thinking practice. Mention how your values align with those of Bramble & Bear and express your enthusiasm for their innovative approach to pet care.
Showcase Your Experience:In your application, provide examples of your previous work experiences, particularly those that demonstrate your ability to handle a varied caseload and work collaboratively within a team. Highlight any specific cases or challenges you've successfully managed.
Express Your Interest in Continuous Learning:Mention your commitment to professional development, such as pursuing further qualifications or attending CPD events. This aligns with Bramble & Bear's support for ongoing education and will show your dedication to providing high-quality care.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bramble and Bear Vet Care
✨Show Your Passion for Veterinary Care
Make sure to express your genuine passion for animal care during the interview. Share specific experiences that highlight your commitment to providing exceptional care, as this aligns with Bramble & Bear's ethos of compassion and quality.
✨Demonstrate Your Surgical Skills
Since the role requires confidence in performing routine surgical procedures, be prepared to discuss your surgical experience. Bring examples of cases you've handled and any challenges you've overcome, showcasing your ability to learn and adapt.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Bramble & Bear values a supportive team environment. Highlight your experiences working in teams, how you contribute to a positive workplace culture, and your willingness to support colleagues, especially in complex cases.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the practice's future, the new Hospital and Rehab Centre, and how they support ongoing professional development. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the practice is the right fit for you.
