Veterinary Surgeon

The Vetcare Centres; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job description

Ready to thrive in a supportive and progressive environment where professional fulfilment and a great work-life balance are seamlessly interwoven with the tranquillity of island living?

About Us

We are looking for an experienced vet to join our established mixed practice on the idyllic island of Guernsey. Since 1981, The Vetcare Centres Limited has delivered exceptional veterinary care to the Guernsey community from our clinics in Les Eturs and Northside. While our caseload is primarily small animal work (95%), there is scope to expand our farm animal and equine work if this is something that interests you. We are also proud to work with our local animal charity, the GSPCA. This partnership offers our team a diverse and rewarding experience, including involvement in the care of local wildlife, such as puffins and seals. Our vets also fly over to Alderney weekly to assist Alderney Animal Welfare, providing vital care for the island's animals and wildlife.

We are committed to continually improving and enhancing our services and are currently expanding our premises to increase the number of consultation rooms and theatres. We are also exploring plans to incorporate endoscopy, laparoscopy, and a CT scanner within the next 12 months.

Our four vets have a wealth of knowledge, with over 60 years of combined experience in practice. JP (Jean-Paul) is a very experienced GP vet with a special interest in cardiology. Kamila particularly enjoys ophthalmology, and Claire, who joined the team last year, has a certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. Martyna, the newest addition to our team, joined us as a new graduate in 2024 and is interested in exotics and wildlife conservation.

We are a nurse training practice with a fantastic team of two RVNs, three SVNs, and four VCAs. We also have an excellent reception team that excels at triaging calls. Our Head Receptionist, Marie, has been with us since the beginning and has come to know several generations of our wonderful clients.

We are a collaborative team that enjoys working together, and this has created a welcoming culture where your ideas and input are genuinely valued. We have daily morning rounds, which is a great way to catch up, discuss cases, and make plans for the day. We also have monthly vets and nurse meetings to share knowledge and review cases.

The Rota

We can be flexible with the rota, so whether you’re looking for a 4-day week or would prefer 5 shorter days, we’re happy to chat about the options available. Our out-of-hours rota is just 1:5 weeknights and weekends, which includes Saturday morning consults (9 am - 12.30 pm). Our OOH tends to be very manageable, and our nursing team take care of any inpatients.

Outside of Work

We’re a warm and friendly team that loves spending time together outside of work. Whether it’s one of our fun quarterly socials like the summer boat trip around the islands, where we soaked up the sunshine and enjoyed a cosy BBQ and some fishing, or joining in each other's hobbies, which include horse riding, pottery classes, self-defence lessons, and rock climbing, we always enjoy embracing the wonderful Island life together!

Guernsey is renowned for its relaxed and peaceful lifestyle, as well as its breathtaking natural beauty, making it a truly idyllic place to live. There’s a vibrant community spirit here, along with excellent dining, leisure, and cultural opportunities. With its mild climate and stunning beaches, Guernsey is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, offering numerous opportunities for hiking, water sports, and more. Additionally, travelling to the UK is a breeze with direct flights to several airports, including London Gatwick, Southampton, and Manchester, all of which are just about an hour away.

We Offer:

• Salary from £85,000, plus a 10% bi-annual bonus
• A relocation package of £5,000 to help you move to our beautiful island with the use of our company car
• Assistance with finding accommodation
• 5 weeks holiday, plus bank holidays
• Opportunity for career progression to Clinical Director
• CPD encouraged, with certificates supported and funded
• Professional fees paid for RCVS, VDS, and BVA
• Access to continuous learning through webinars and in-house training
• Happy to sponsor Visas
• Private health insurance
• Subsidised gym membership

If you're dreaming of making a change and enjoying life on a beautiful island, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now, or feel free to call us for an informal chat.