EMAIL US: [email protected]
EMAIL US: [email protected]
Read on for full, honest details…
We recruited Goncalo 7 weeks ago – he’s a brilliant vet and already an invaluable part of our team, but now we need another vet as our client base continues to grow and grow. We will happily have two-part timers- it’s about the right fit, not the hours you can work. We want to have more vet power to give to our inpatients on a daily basis, so an extra vet will allow our rota to create time for our vets to do just that.
We’re a (relatively) young and (relatively!) vibrant team of 12 vets (8FTE) working a variety of shift patterns with the sole aim to provide the best care we can for our patients. We’re proudly independent, 100% small animal, working out of purpose-built premises with all the usual kit, and are fortunate to be growing so that we need an additional member to join the vet team.
Some of us vets have our own specific interests, with certificate holders in surgery, feline medicine and ECC, one who has completed her masters’ in behaviour and others undertaking their exotics and cardiology certs. Equally we have some fabulous all-rounder GPs who are frankly excellent at everything – and we all regularly share our knowledge with daily inpatient rounds, regular vet meetings and in house cpd. If you want to do a certificate, we will support you with that. If you don’t – that’s also fine.
Continuity is important for our vets, clients and patients. We know that staff wellbeing and having time at home to switch off from work is essential. So, we aim to strike a balance – we use Vets Now for our out of hours cover for any new emergencies, whilst keeping all of our inpatients on site, and pledging to see any patients who have had surgery with us in the past week if their owners have concerns out of hours. In reality this means it’s rare to get called in on a night shift. We are so lucky to have a fabulous nursing team who stay on site when we’re closed, take the phones, and will call the on-call vet if needed. Us vets share a 1 in 9 rota for this. It will be 1 in 10 when you join us.
Breaks in the working day are so important. Vets are apparently notoriously bad at having them, as it always seems that there is something else pressing for our time. We’re doing our best to make it easier – consulting days have a 90-minute gap over lunch and 60-minute gap in the afternoon, for catch ups, coffee and phone calls. When you’re on a theatre shift, the ‘Boss Nurse’ (who changes each day) who manages the ops list will tell you when to go to have your lunch break. We strongly advise you listen to her.
On the topic of our nurses – they are also frankly excellent. They focus on their nursing care so we can do the vetting. They have additional skills and qualifications in exotics, ECC and schedule 3 procedures. We could not do what we do without our nurses, and we empower them to do what they do best. We’re a nurse training practice, and have ACAs supporting the nursing team for inpatient care so that they are always appropriately fed, watered, walked and clean.
Our receptionists are the face of the practice, standing on the frontline every day – please look after them. They know their stuff – they’re all members of the British Veterinary Receptionists Association, working towards (or having achieved) their accredited Veterinary Receptionist Award. Our team answer the phones in the dedicated phone room so they can focus on clients, and so that the reception area is calmer and quieter for our patients. Our practice secretary and practice manager look after all of us, and support our front of house team, as well as keeping the place running day to day.
2020 and 2021 have brought challenges to everyone, with the obvious Covid-19 nightmare that we are all still facing. We strive to be a practice which asks for, and listens to, the opinions and ideas of every single member of the team to face these head on – and so far we seem to be thriving despite the uncertainty. We’ve adapted to virtual team meetings (optional, held in the evenings, and paid of course), video updates from the partners to keep the team informed when we can’t all be together in person, and we’ve consciously tried to give plenty of thank you’s so our team know they are appreciated.
The nitty gritty which you’re waiting for – our full-time vets work 40 hours a week, 4 week-days, plus 1 in 3 Saturdays, 9-1 and share OOH, just for inpatient cover. Shifts vary on a rota pattern which overlap to cover our opening hours, 8-5, 9-5, 9-6, 10-7(on call). Shifts can be swapped amongst ourselves to suit outside commitments. Don’t rule us out if you don’t want a full time role – we are very open to flexible working.
You’ll get benefits – BUPA healthcare, income protection, pension, BVA, VDS, RCVS fees paid, 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays. Cost price treatment for your pets. CPD – £1k per year, more if needed. Uniform. Free parking. Salary from 30-55k pro rata depending on experience.
We know vetting is tough. We can’t promise to be perfect but we are doing what we can to make it better. We will listen and support you. In return we are asking for someone to join our team who loves being a vet, and who wants to do their best for their patients and clients. We think that is you. Want to know a bit more- follow us on Facebook or have a look at our website vhvets.co.uk to find out more about the team.
Email [email protected] for more details, and to apply.
The Veterinary Hospital, 175 Newport, Lincoln, LN1 3DZ
www.vhvets.co.uk
