Veterinary Surgeon

The Practice Bicester Vets is a large independent, single-site, RCVS accredited small animal veterinary hospital providing our own out-of-hours care with onsite overnight nursing. As the last truly independent small animal practice in our area, we are able to offer our vets the clinical freedom to work up and treat cases as they see fit without the need to meet specific targets. We strive to provide an excellent standard of care for our clients and their pets and see an extremely varied and interesting case load which we work-up to a high level. 2024 has seen a large redevelopment of the site improving client facing areas and upgrading clinical areas to include a CT scanner, new dog, cat and exotic wards and increased operating and diagnostic space. There's a new staff room and enlarged vets' office.

Our single site RCVS accredited small animal hospital is located in the market town of Bicester in Oxfordshire. Bicester is a historic market town situated 20 minutes from the beautiful city of Oxford with excellent transport links to London and Birmingham and easy access to airports. We are close to the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. Bicester is also home to the famous Bicester Village Shopping Outlet. Bicester itself has a long pedestrianised high street. There are numerous restaurants including chains like Prezzo and Nando plus many independent eateries. There are several traditional old pubs plus the obligatory “Spoons”. For drinks there are bars like Tropic and The Bear for cocktails and pizzas. We have a multi-screen cinema and traditional butchers, plus coffee shops galore.

The Role

We are looking for two full-time Vets who are happy to join our out-of-hours rota on a 1 in 8 basis as outlined elsewhere. Doing our own after-hours work creates a better experience and case continuity for our patients, and gives an excellent opportunity for vets to gain knowledge, skills and independence.

You will need to be a team player, looking for a role where you will find friends as well as colleagues. You will be open to new ideas and be willing to share your thoughts about cases with the experienced team around you. If you have veterinary experience, then we’d like you to share your knowledge so that we can learn also.

You will need to be a hard worker who isn’t afraid of challenging cases and you must be prepared to develop your surgical, imaging, diagnostic and dentistry skills to ensure you can provide the very best care for our patients.

For a new graduate we will provide mentoring and support, back-up on call and a large variety of cases to develop your skills and confidence quickly and smoothly.

Full-time Vet Rota – Currently 1 in 8

1. 7 in 8 – standard work week of 4 days 8.30am – 6.30pm (Only 3 days after weekend on call) Day off is variable and can be requested in advance to suit your plans.
2. 1 in 8 – 5 days of night duties. Mon- Fri 2pm-9pm then on-call overnight. Day starts at 2pm where you might help finish off the op list, do a house call, or assist with the inevitable “emergency”.
3. 1 in 8 – Saturday shift 8.30am – 2.30 approx. Consulting from 8.30am. Assist with procedures after consults.
4. 1 in 8 – full weekend duty. 8.30am Sat to 8.30am Monday. Saturday morning – care of inpatients, procedures, hospital admissions. From 2.30pm Saturday – on-call for the remainder of the weekend.

Equipment

• Separate dog, cat and exotic wards plus Isolation facilities
• In-house laboratory (including blood gas, clotting and urine sediment machines)
• Digital radiography – DR with floating table
• CT Scanner
• Ultrasound – incl. cardiology, linear and convex probes
• Dental room with digital DR dental x-ray, 2 x air powered dental machines
• Ventilator and several Multi-parameter machines for monitoring critical and anaesthetised patients
• Laparoscopy – ovariectomy, cryptorchid dogs, abdominal organ biopsy
• Ophthalmology - tonovet for IOP, slit lamp, operating/examination loupes
• Rigid and flexible endoscopy
• Monopolar and bipolar cautery
• Orthopaedic equipment incl. plating, external fixation, MMP cruciate

The Package

New graduate from £38,000 plus benefits and up to £65,000 plus benefits for an experienced vet

Full time Vet Terms and Benefits:

• 7 weeks annual leave. 7 x 4 day week = 28 days paid leave
• £1800 inc. vat annual CPD allowance
• Certificates encouraged and funded above standard CPD budget
• 5 paid CPD days (7 days for advanced practitioners)
• RCVS fees paid, VDS insurance paid
• Enhanced company sick pay, workplace pension
• Excellent staff discount for your pets
• Regular CPD with pizza nights
• Christmas party for you and a partner – drinks, food and entertainment provided
• Summer staff BBQ for staff and their immediate families with food cooked by the Directors, drinks and team games by the swimming pool.

To submit your application, click the apply now button.