At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality medical and surgical care for small animals in a supportive team.
- Company: Award-winning independent veterinary practice with a fun-loving culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, unlimited CPD budget, birthday off, and enhanced sick leave.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real difference in animal care.
- Qualifications: Minimum three years' experience as a confident GP Vet.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 60000 £ per year.
Independent site practice near Bristol seeking people-loving confident GP. We are looking for a people-loving, animal-loving, fantastic Vet to join our exceptional, inspiring, fully independent practice team.
The Opportunity
We wish to recruit a permanent full-time Vet with at least three years' experience. We are looking for an all-round confident GP who may have a special interest they wish to develop, or has started or completed a Post-graduate Certificate. You’ll be responsible for providing high-quality medical and surgical care while working closely with our experienced nursing and support teams to deliver excellent outcomes for our patients and clients.
The role includes:
- Consulting and managing a varied small animal caseload
- Performing routine and non-routine surgical procedures
- Participating in our out-of-hours rota as this is one of our key commitments to our clients and their pets
- Medical case management, diagnostics and care plan implementation, including inpatient care workload
- Working collaboratively with the wider clinical team to deliver high standards of patient care
- Communicating clearly and compassionately with clients to support informed decision-making
- Contributing to the continued development of clinical standards, practice services and quality improvement projects
Our full-time vets work 39 hours per week split over 4 days plus 1:12 Saturday mornings, plus a fair share of the out of hours rota. We are committed to providing our own out of hours services for our clients and their pets; we use our own team, in our own premises, and with access to the pet's records. This is not only a huge benefit for our clients and their pets, but we believe it also benefits our team's experience and development. If you don't want to undertake out of hours work this isn't the role for you.
Generally, over the course of a day, you will see a mix of consults ranging from routine healthcare to emergencies. You will have time to do procedures, dentals, medical case work ups, follow ups and have a break for your lunch. Our clients are really engaged and come to us knowing they will receive excellent pet care, a welcoming smile, transparent pricing, and a professional service throughout.
About You
Are you a Vet who:
- Will hit the ground raring to go? We love learning so bring your best ideas
- Loves a busy and varied small animal case load perhaps with an area of interest which is ready to be nurtured and developed?
- Places a high emphasis on client and patient care? This is why we have invested in equipment such as CT, digital x-ray, ultrasound, dental x-ray, tonometry, Class IV laser, laparoscopic surgery, full suite of video gastro- and bronchoscopes, and much more
- Loves the challenge of complex medical and inpatient work? You would be supported by, or working alongside, amazing colleagues with certificate level knowledge
- Is comfortable with all routine surgery and dentistry and confident with more complex procedures?
- Wants proactive, supported career progression to develop those skills even more?
- Sees doing our own out of hours service as an amazing opportunity for personal development, enjoyment of case continuity and giving the client/patient the numerous benefits of in-house emergency care?
- Can communicate and translate complicated clinical options with clarity and compassion? Communication is one of our buzz words!
- Has good knowledge and understanding of our feline friends and bunny buddies? We have ISFM Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic and Gold RWAF Awards
- Sees the value in a holistic and multi-modal approach to rehabilitation and pain management? Our onsite rehabilitation service, hydro.vet, offers physio, hydrotherapy, laser therapy and gait analysis
- Thrives in a conscientious yet flexible and friendly working environment?
- Thinks sustainability is something we should all be tackling? We have an Eco Team who champions sustainability within the Practice and have been awarded our Silver Investors in the Environment award
- Considers themselves as compassionate, humble and wants to be a great all-round GP?
- Has an outstanding pet-side manner meaning that we know the pet couldn’t be in safer hands?
- Wants to work for an independent Practice whose owners are committed, enthusiastic and 100% involved in all areas of the business?
If this appeals to you, then great! – have a read of the next bit too!
The benefits you would get include:
- Salary guide £44,000-£60,000, dependent on your level of experience and set within our structured pay scale
- Unlimited CPD budget - including support for certificates and further professional development
- Holiday entitlement which increases with length of service
- Your Birthday off – leaving you to enjoy yourself however you want
- No quibble time back if you work past your finish time (or help out a colleague at a weekend/OOH)
- Enhanced sick leave which also increases the longer you have worked here
- Private Medical Insurance
- Health Care Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
- Scottish Widows Pension and access to free financial and mortgage advice
- RCVS fees, VDS cover and professional membership fees
About Us:
We are a proudly independent, award winning, three site Small Animal Practice based just to the south of Bristol in North Somerset. Our team are dedicated, hard-working, fun-loving and proud to provide the best care we can for our patients. We have a passionate vision, and our culture is built around our six core values: Respect, Teamwork, Compassion, Honesty, Trust and Excellence. There are 57 of us working across our Practices in Portishead, Nailsea and Yatton. We have our team at the centre of what we do and love the personal feel from being truly independent.
We have regular quarterly individual catch-up meetings (no stuffy annual appraisals here), and the Leadership Team have an open-door policy for ideas, concerns or just a chat. We have whole Practice meetings three times a year, where we shut all the sites and get together over lunch. Our Vets, Nurses, Eco and Practice Development Team all had dedicated time to meet to check in, discuss clinical cases or plan projects.
Veterinary Surgeon in Portishead employer: Watkins & Tasker Vets
Join our independent veterinary practice in North Somerset, where we prioritise a supportive and engaging work culture that fosters professional growth and development. With an unlimited CPD budget, generous holiday entitlement, and a commitment to sustainability, we ensure our team thrives in a compassionate environment dedicated to high-quality pet care. Experience the joy of working closely with a passionate team while enjoying the benefits of a flexible schedule and a strong emphasis on client relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Surgeon in Portishead
✨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 Watkins & Tasker Vets often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Surgeon in Portishead
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 Watkins & Tasker Vets
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Watkins & Tasker Vets. 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 Watkins & Tasker Vets.
✨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 Watkins & Tasker Vets.
✨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 Watkins & Tasker Vets.