At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our award-winning team to provide exceptional care for small animals and develop your surgical skills.
- Company: Riverside Vet Care, a modern and independent practice in beautiful Monmouthshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous CPD allowance, private health insurance, and flexible work-life balance.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities with potential for future ownership in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in veterinary care while enjoying a supportive and innovative work environment.
- Qualifications: Experienced small animal vet with strong surgical skills and a passion for general practice.
Fancy working at an award-winning practice with a unique, flexible rota with no OOHs? Then read on…
About us
Riverside Vet Care is a modern small animal practice in beautiful Monmouthshire. We are proudly independent and have a strong ethos of looking after our team and supporting each other. We also pride ourselves on understanding the individual needs of each patient and tailoring their treatment plans to meet their specific circumstances. Our clients really value this approach, and we were delighted to be awarded Best Vet in County at the Best UK Vets Awards in 2023 and again in 2024. As part of the Vet Dynamics community, we always look for ways to improve and evolve. Winning the John Sheridan Award for our dedication to advanced business development and outstanding leadership at the Vet Dynamics Conference 2023 was a testament to our hard work.
We have two standalone clinics, based in Abergavenny and Ebbw Vale. We have all the usual kit, including digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house laboratory and laser therapy. We’re growing and are currently in the throes of a major building project at the Abergavenny branch. Having purchased the unoccupied house next door, we are adding a connecting wing which will create a new surgical hub, allow us to have a separate dental suite with dental X-ray, add three more consulting rooms and improve our dog and cat kennels. The project is due for completion in October 2026.
About our team
Bernice moved to South Wales in 1997 and soon realised that she had found her home both in the hills of this beautiful area and at Riverside Vet Care. Becoming a partner after three years, Bernice went on to be the sole owner in 2015. Bernice loves being a vet, especially the variety that comes with being a GP and practice owner. Eight years ago, Helen Rippin became co-director, and together, this partnership between vet and RVN is creating a surgery where all the team members are encouraged to develop and do the job they love.
We have an experienced team of 7 vets:
- Bernice enjoys being a GP vet and currently juggles clinical time with practice management tasks.
- Sian originally came to us as a locum and loved it so much that she decided to join the team permanently. Sian holds an AVP medicine certificate and particularly enjoys imaging.
- Louise has been with the practice since 2015 and is a member of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists. She has a postgraduate certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling and finds getting to the bottom of a pet's behaviour and giving the owner the tools needed to deal with it is very rewarding.
- Kristine works with us part-time and runs her own business, providing home-visiting veterinary service to clients in the area.
- Lluis graduated in 2017 and is so enthusiastic about all aspects of veterinary care, especially surgery. He is always the first to volunteer to handle an emergency GDV! He’s currently studying for an Imaging Certificate.
- Catarina returns from maternity leave in September. She worked in large animal practice and management before pursuing small animal work three years ago. She is developing a medicine bias.
- Nora joined us a year ago and has become a valuable member of the team. She loves getting into complex medical cases and is developing her ultrasound skills.
Our ethos
We have a strong social conscience and are proud of our respected position within the communities of the Welsh Valleys and Monmouthshire. For us, ‘Contextualised Veterinary Care’ isn’t anything new – it’s what we’ve always done. In an area where many people are on low income, open and frank conversations about the costs of veterinary treatment and the different options available are just part of what we do every day. Keeping costs as fair as possible means that we do work hard, but our clients repay us with their loyalty and respect. Two years ago, we introduced a low-cost monthly plan for clients to improve access to veterinary care.
Good teamwork is also key to our approach. We close the practice for one afternoon every month for a full practice meeting, and feel that we have a flexible management approach which is open to new ideas. During the development of the new building, we have included the whole team in the decision-making process, allowing them to decide the layout of the rooms, how to manage stock and even how to restructure the team to improve workflow. We’re a supportive bunch who are always willing to share our knowledge and experience. Whether you’re looking to develop your skills in a particular area or focus on being a great GP, we are proud to support the ongoing development of our team through in-house mentoring and by supporting continued learning and certificates. Our Co-Director and RVN, Helen, has an anaesthesia and critical care nursing certificate and is now pursuing her Advanced Surgical Nursing diploma.
About the role
With our exciting building expansion underway to create a dedicated surgical hub with improved facilities, we're looking for an experienced small animal vet who enjoys the variety of general practice but has a particular interest in surgery and would love the opportunity to help us develop our growing surgical service. This investment reflects our ambition to continue expanding the services we can offer locally, allowing more patients to receive advanced care closer to home within a well-equipped first-opinion practice.
This role would suit a confident GP vet with strong surgical skills, ideally someone with a surgical certificate or equivalent experience, who enjoys tackling a wide range of cases. You'll have the opportunity to perform and further develop advanced soft tissue surgery and orthopaedic procedures. As our new surgical hub takes shape, you'll benefit from upgraded theatre facilities, a dedicated dental suite, and the opportunity to influence how the service develops. We're always open to introducing new techniques, investing in additional equipment and supporting new areas of clinical interest. Our vets enjoy a varied caseload, splitting their time between consulting, surgery and working up interesting medical cases. Depending on your interests, there's scope to spend more of your time in theatre as your caseload grows. It's an exciting opportunity to influence the future direction of an ambitious independent practice while developing a surgical service that will benefit both our patients and the local community for years to come. For the right person, there is also genuine scope for future shareholder opportunities as the practice continues to grow.
Work-life balance
We've designed a unique rota that gives our vets time to enjoy life outside of work while still providing excellent service to our clients. Our full-time vets generally work a 4-day week, with just 1:6 weekends (8.30 am - 6 pm), which initially sounds pretty standard. However, weekends count toward your 4-day week, so if you work a full weekend, you’ll only work 2 weekdays! That’s only 16 shifts a month! We’re flexible with the rota and are happy to discuss what works best for you and us. If you want to split your weekend, we’re happy for you to work either Saturday or Sunday, with three weekdays. Rather than being on call, our vets work one late shift a week (1 pm - 10.30 pm), running an evening surgery and fielding emergencies. After 10.30 pm, calls are forwarded to Vets Now in Newport, who cover our out-of-hours. We keep the practice fully staffed with both an RVN and receptionists on hand until we close every day, and we pay a higher rate for any hours worked after 6.30 pm or on weekends. We will also arrange your late shift so you have a late start following your weekend.
What we offer
- Salary of £45,000 to £60,000 plus 8% employer pension contribution
- Generous CPD allowance, with certificates supported and funded
- Personal improvement allowance that can be used for your physical and mental wellbeing
- Future shareholder/ownership prospects available for the right person
- Professional fees paid for RCVS and VDS
- Full private health insurance
What our team say about us
“The leadership team recognises their team as their greatest resource, and they’ve worked incredibly hard on workplace culture so everyone feels safe coming to work and safe talking and expressing their own views. They’ll be listened to and valued. I haven’t come across this degree of openness and growth mindset in practice before.” Sian MRCVS
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Abergavenny employer: Vetisco
Riverside Vet Care is an award-winning independent practice located in the picturesque Monmouthshire, offering a unique and flexible work-life balance with no out-of-hours duties. Our supportive team culture prioritises professional development, providing generous CPD allowances and opportunities for future ownership, all while ensuring that our staff feel valued and heard. With exciting expansion plans underway, this is a fantastic opportunity for a small animal vet to grow their career in a nurturing environment that truly cares for both its employees and the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon in Abergavenny
✨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 Vetisco often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
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 Vetisco
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Vetisco. 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 Vetisco.
✨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 Vetisco.
✨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 Vetisco.
