Are you an experienced veterinary surgeon, with a passion for orthopaedics, looking for an exciting new opportunity? Or are you a skilled surgeon looking for support in developing your orthopaedic skillset?
Sadly after 14 years our orthopaedic vet is leaving us for a new adventure, and we now have some big shoes to fill!
The rest of our team are not super keen on using power tools during surgery, and therefore we are looking for a replacement vet to take up that mantle.
Our ideal candidate would already have experience performing TPLO/CCWO/TTA and fracture fixation, as well as having soft tissue surgical and general practice skills. However we would also be able to support teaching of a candidate with a solid foundation in surgical techniques who wished to learn new orthopaedic procedures, as we have a visiting RCVS advanced practitioner in surgery, endoscopy and endosurgery available to assist/support if needed. Some previous experience or previous CPD in these procedures would be preferred, but this could be an amazing opportunity for a candidate wish to take that next step in their career.
Ideally we are looking for a full time candidate (4 day week) who would be able to participate in our Saturday rota 1:5 and support our in patient on call rota 1:6. We outsource out of hours but currently keep our own in patients, which is a service we are really proud of. We feel this offers our patients greater continuity of care and reduces stress of moving them to OOH providers. Our patients are cared for overnight by our night nurses, and we have a vet on call to our nurses to assist with any issues. Currently our on call rota is full, but we would be looking for someone able to offer back up support to our junior vets on a 1:6 basis. We are also open to flexible working patterns, as it is more important for us to find the right candidate who will fit in with our team.
As well as leading our orthopaedic service, our ideal candidate would be a capable GP vet who still has enjoyment in the less fancy procedures, and doesn’t mind giving a vaccine or two. Your work would be spread across our 4 branches in South Wales, all equipped with ultrasound, digital X-ray, in house blood machines etc. Our branches consist of a mixture of consults and surgeries/procedures, whereas our main branch in Abergavenny is where we keep our hospitalised patients. Both Abergavenny and Tredegar have been recently refurbished with further renovations due in Tredegar.
What is Special about Abbey Vets?
It goes without saying that our greatest asset is our team. Our team look after each other, support each other, celebrate each other’s wins and catch each other’s falls. We really prioritise the well-being of our team – in numerous ways. Finishing on time, ensuring full lunch breaks, time for a cuppa and toilet breaks are things we consider non-negotiables. We have administration time built in to our vets diaries so you are not expected to update owners or check up on labs in your lunch break or after you have finished for the day. We encourage lunch time walks (dogs optional) for fresh air and exercise – and all our sites are situated with beautiful walks on the doorstep. If that’s not your idea of a happy lunch hour, then we are equally within walking distance of all 4 towns with various café’s etc and all our sites have staff areas for some quiet chill-out time when required.
We are really excited to have been “trail blazers” for the new BVA Good Workplace Accreditation scheme. This scheme focuses on ensuring workplaces support colleagues across a wide range areas. We are really excited to be taking part in this scheme, and we are fully committed to working with the BVA to work towards our accreditation – for us this is not just about an award, but truly learning from the process to ensure that we are providing the best possible work environment for our team.
We appreciate the importance of work-life balance, as well as job satisfaction – and really strive to ensure all of our team feel fulfilled in their career aspirations as well as being able to enjoy and cherish their free time out of work. We truly believe in supporting working parents, and appreciate the difficulties trying to be both a vet and a parent can bring, and we work with our team to find solutions to enable them to be both.
We strongly believe in developing our vets, and certificates are fully supported, along with all other career aspirations. We want you to be able to grow and develop as part of our team. We also believe in having fun at work, winter/summer parties, cake, team competitions, and having fun outside of work!
The practice is in a beautiful part of the country near the Brecon Beacons National Park, with great transport links and easy access to Bristol and Cardiff in 45 minutes and 2.5 hours to London. Abergavenny, where our main branch is situated, has been named the Best Place to Live in Wales in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, with the judges commenting: “Few locations in the UK are as friendly, practical and picturesque as this friendly market town on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. There has been a market here since the 13th century and food remains a strong point, with the Abergavenny Food Festival celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Community spirit is off the charts and there’s a strong and varied sporting scene.”
Rowing, fell running, knitting, cooking, and enjoying the many “foodie” opportunities our area provides are just some of the activities our team enjoy outside of work.
We have experience supporting colleagues at all points in their career, from newly graduated vets, to those returning after a career break, to those working towards a certificate and those wanting to pursue leadership/management roles.
Some comments from our team:
“I started at Abbey in September 2022 following a career break. Coming back into practice initially seemed daunting but was made much easier with a friendly and supportive team. There is a collaborative approach to cases and fabulous nursing and admin support. There are new ultrasound and x-ray systems and time built into the day for work ups and admin. Flexibility with hours and a family friendly approach has allowed me to find a better work life balance.” Rhiannon, joined us in 2022
“Starting at Abbey Vets as a New Grad has been a great experience and has helped me to develop my skills and confidence in both surgical and medical cases. Being part of a great team of both more experienced vets, and vets at my experience level means there is a great range of support to draw from, and the environment encourages learning and improving skills.” Eileen, joined us in 2021
Some of the benefits of our role include:
- A competitive salary DOE
- 4 day per week (flexible working patterns considered)
- CPD: 5 days and £1750 pa FTE
- 28 days Holiday including Bank Holidays FTE
- 15-minute appointments
- 8.45am start. Last appointment 6.15pm
- Access to HealthShield and optional health insurance
- Healthshield offers payment towards routine healthcare and access to wellbeing support. This includes our Employee Assistance Programme, which provides counsellors to offer emotional support, telephone counselling and practical information/advice on matters such as debt, housing issues, consumer issues, family concerns and includes access to on demand physio, online health assessments and skin vision as well as discounts and perks on some big brands.
- Visa sponsorship
- Employee pet discount scheme
- RCVS + VDS + One other professional membership paid.
- One day paid for volunteering (your choice of where)
- Option to buy and sell Holiday
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and sick pay.
- Wellness programmes
- Cycle to work scheme.
- And more!
For further information about the practice or the position contact Meg on 01873 852 391.
Apply Now
You can apply with a CV and covering letter to Maegan Potter at Maegan.potter@abbeyvets.co.uk
