Veterinary Surgeon

We will be looking for a veterinary surgeon to join our team this Autumn. It’s a few years since we recruited a vet and we thought it would be worth telling you a little bit about our values and how we work rather than just listing what we can offer you; this is to help you know whether or not this might be a practice that fits with you.

Our Practice
Based in Rochford, Essex - a quaint little market town found near to Southend-On-Sea. The practice is owned by Mr and Mrs Jobson, who will both work in the surgery alongside you. Yes, we are a truly independent practice which means we have freedom to choose our own suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, drug lists, the way we work, as well as our clients. The practice is also a driveable distance from several specialist referral practices. This means we can refer complex cases without a hitch, and with the freedom that we can choose the best expertise to put on a case.

Professionalism and Integrity
Here at Rochford Vets we recognise the hard work and dedication it has taken to become a qualified Veterinary Surgeon, and we hold that at the forefront of how we work. Your professional judgement is able to influence how your practice runs. In our experience, doing what is clinically right for your patient and client naturally leads to a profitable practice, and as a small business we need to make profit to invest and grow.

Collaboration
Bouncing ideas off of each other is essential to learning and progressing not only as an individual but as a team. “That’s not my case” isn’t a phrase we’re very fond of here, often the best outcomes can be achieved through collaboration. We hold fortnightly team meetings where we discuss systems in place and ways to improve suggested via a continuous improvement card system. Each suggestion is discussed by the team all together and ideas are put forward collaboratively to improve the day-to-day running of our services.

Compassionate and Passionate
Pets are a part of the family. As a first opinion vet you will be a person who understands this and demonstrates the compassion required when the families find themselves facing some of their toughest times. We treat each animal as if they were our own. We ensure adequate amounts of time per appointment for you to have difficult and sometimes highly detailed conversations with owners regarding the options for their pet’s treatment. In complex cases such as dermatology or euthanasia we book a standard 30 minute slot to allow you to take the time necessary for the case, without worrying about running behind as a result. We also provide admin time built into our diary to give you space and time to think about your cases, make calls to owners and deal with repeat prescriptions. This allows you to feel secure in the knowledge that you have found the correct course of action for that particular patient. We think that this cultivates a much more positive and relaxed work environment, which in turn we hope will make being one of our vets an enjoyable role.

Friendly Clients and a Team you can trust
What makes working at our practice enjoyable is partly down to our very (actually) friendly clients, as well as our upbeat and hardworking team. Of course this works both ways so we need you to be able to communicate clearly with both clients and colleagues to build relationships, trust and confidence. Working alongside you will be our 5 RVNs, 3 vets as well as our 3 receptionists. You will also see Ian and Zoe mucking in, and Karon our practice Administrator - who you will be submitting your application to. Finally we have Alison and Tom, who deal with insurance and accounting respectively.

Progression
One of the best parts of this job is that every day is a school day. We want to support you in your professional development in the best ways that we can. With us, you don’t just develop your knowledge by going on a course or watching an online seminar (although we do provide plenty of free online CPD for you to browse), you develop your knowledge through a ‘growth mindset’ that you hold whilst working through your cases. This can look like discussions with colleagues, utilising resources such as the RCVS Knowledge Electronic Library (to which we are subscribed) or using our well stocked in house library. We also realise it is important to get out there and learn; whatever subject you wish to pursue, make a case and we will support and fund you. If you are more of a home body, we have a subscription to Central CPD on demand, where you can select from countless topics and courses online to enhance your skillset.

Hours and Salary
We generally work a 4 day week for most staff with start times between 8 and 9am and finish times between 5 and 7:30pm, depending on your shift pattern which can be discussed once you come to meet with us. We have a rota of 1 in 4 Saturdays where you will be required to work 9am to 4pm. Sundays we are closed and any cases needing out of hours care are referred to the local out of hours hospital. A salary package will be in the range of around £45-£60K, with RCVS and VDS fees paid by us.

We want to help you feel supported no matter what life throws your way; to this end we have private healthcare policies available to all team members after 6 months of working with us, these include cancer care and mental health benefits. The practice pays the premium and you just pay the taxable benefit; this is provided as a standalone benefit and is not part of your salary package. We also have a group life insurance policy meaning that if through illness or accident the worst should happen during the time you are working with us then your family will at least have some financial security.

What we’re looking for
You will be a candidate with at least 2 years’ experience in the UK, who is comfortable with general practice as a calling. You will be confident with routine surgeries with the desire to extend your surgical skills whilst also providing good quality medicine for our clients. Within this there is a wide scope for you to explore your own particular interests. You will live within 30 minutes of our practice, or be looking to move to the local area. A relocation package is available for those needing to move or needing short term accommodation when you start.

Summary
We are an independent practice. We have a high emphasis on teamwork and independent growth. We will fund and support your CPD pursuits, understanding it can also benefit your colleagues and the business. You will have access to Central CPD on demand, RCVS Knowledge Library, and will be encouraged to attend courses both clinical and for your own personal development and client facing skills. We are looking for a 4 day week, with 1 in 4 Saturdays in a shift pattern that will involve starts between 8-9am and finishes between 5-7:30pm. Salary package of £45-60K. RCVS and VDS fees paid by us. Private healthcare insurance. Contributory pension scheme. Cycle to work scheme. Group Life insurance policy for 3 x salary. Based in Rochford, Essex. Excellent team (if we do say so ourselves). Looking for at least 2 years’ experience, proactive, compassionate, confident in your role as a GP, no more than 30 minutes out from us. Relocation package available. Want to apply or further information email karonb@rochfordvets.co.uk to send us your CV and covering letter. We look forward to working with you!