At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide excellent care for small and farm animals in a supportive environment.
- Company: Bredy Vets, a progressive mixed practice near the stunning Jurassic Coast.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65,000, generous holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Engage in community activities and enjoy outdoor adventures in beautiful Dorset.
- Why this job: Enjoy a great work-life balance with 5pm finishes and supportive colleagues.
- Qualifications: At least 2 years of mixed veterinary experience required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Are you at least 2 years mixed (mainly small animal) vet looking for a better work-life balance and some 5pm finishes in beautiful coastal Dorset?
About Us
Bredy Vets is a progressive independent mixed practice in Bridport, just a mile from the Jurassic Coast and the beaches of West Bay. We have an interesting and varied caseload, which is approx. 80% small animal and 20% farm, including dairy, beef, and sheep, with some smallholdings. We have built an excellent reputation locally for our high standards of patient care and client service and our own 24 hour service.
Our brilliant, friendly team of 9 vets, 9 RVNs, 2 ATTs and 7 receptionists/admin enjoy working together and genuinely support and look after each other. We love welcoming new team members. Our vets, led by Directors Jon, Claire and Barry, have various interests and a wealth of experience. We're a collaborative team and have regular case discussions and vet meetings. We will encourage you to follow your interests and develop your skills, and if you want to take on a certificate, this will be supported. One of our vets is currently doing her sheep certificate. All our nursing team are RVNs with a lot of experience between them to provide great support. Our great team sets us apart from other vet practices.
We are an RCVS Tier 2-accredited and an ISFM Silver Cat-Friendly practice. Our spacious, purpose-built premises include separate cat and dog waiting rooms and wards, four consult rooms, two theatres including a dedicated dental suite with dental X-ray. We have separate dog, cat and isolation wards. We have all the usual kit, including digital X-ray, ultrasound with cardiac probes, rigid endoscope, pulse ox’s, multi-parameter monitor, Doppler BP, tonometer, microscope, Vetscan blood machine, and an in‑house lab with an OvaCyte faecal analyser for farm and small animal worm egg counts. For farm work, we have a yard, a secure shelter, and the facilities to perform surgical procedures, such as umbilical hernia repairs or ewe caesareans, at the practice. We also have three portable Easi‑scan/Draminski ultrasound scanner for cattle fertility work & diagnosing pregnancy.
We constantly strive to improve & also invest in the practice & promote sustainable practice. We are currently looking into having new blood analysis machines at the practice.
The Role
One of our lovely vets, Milly, is sadly leaving to relocate after her 1st 2 years in practice with us, so we are looking for a mixed (mostly small animal) vet with at least 2 years of experience who is confident with routine consults and surgeries to join us, therefore this role is not suitable for new graduates.
We value a good work-life balance, so that everyone has time to enjoy life outside of work. This is ideally a full‑time position, but we are happy to consider part‑time hours. Our current full‑time vets work a 4.5‑day week (average 36.5 hours) with an afternoon off each week (1pm finish). You will have either a 5 pm or 6 pm finish, and we prioritise lunch breaks and time for admin. Our vets share consultations, surgical duties, farm calls, and house visits, so there is plenty of opportunity to use and develop all your skills. We spread out the consults in blocks so that no vet is consulting long hours.
We provide our own out‑of‑hours service. There is always support available and the opportunity to collaborate on cases, as we operate a second on‑call rota to provide backup in addition to our team of experienced RVNs. Our 7‑week rolling OOH rota of one 1st and one 2nd weekend on‑call means you can make weekend plans in advance, and within each 7‑week block, you will have five completely free weekends (starting at 5 pm on Friday or 1 weekend starting at 5 pm on Thursday). Following your weekend as 1st on‑call, you will have a 4‑day week, giving you a lovely long 3‑day weekend. The bank holidays are shared within the team, with a day off in lieu of the 1st on‑call and half a day in lieu of the 2nd on‑call. We also run a separate Christmas and New Year rota with additional leave, so all our vets get a festive break.
Outside of Work
Our team enjoys getting together outside of work, from pub quizzes and meals out to live music shows and trying new activities, such as craft evenings or line dancing. We also enjoy getting involved with the local community, such as being at Open Farm Sunday, holding farmers' meetings at the practice, serving as official vets at events like the Melplash Agricultural Show, collecting donations for the Bridport Food Bank, and sponsoring the Bridport Bee-Friendly Trail.
This area is great for outdoor enthusiasts, offering beautiful beaches, scenic coastal walks, and picturesque countryside. Dorchester, Weymouth and Lyme Regis are nearby, and Poole, Bournemouth and Exeter are just an hour away.
We offer:
- A salary up to £65,000, depending on experience and OOH bonus payments.
- 7.3 weeks holiday, including bank holidays.
- Private medical insurance.
- Bank holiday on‑call shared and separate Christmas/New Year rota with additional leave so all vets get a festive break.
- CPD fully funded, with certificates supported & funded.
- Fees paid for RCVS, VDS and BVA.
- Directorship prospects for the right candidate.
- Mobile phone provided.
- Social events organised.
Experienced Mixed Veterinary Surgeon in England employer: Bredy Veterinary Centre
Bredy Vets is an exceptional employer located in the stunning coastal town of Bridport, Dorset, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for experienced mixed veterinary surgeons. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, our team enjoys flexible hours, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional development, including fully funded CPD and support for pursuing specialisations. Our vibrant work culture fosters camaraderie through social events and community involvement, making Bredy Vets not just a workplace, but a place to thrive both personally and professionally.