Permanent full or part time vet required for an
independent
, 100% small animal clinic with a 40 year history.
Exciting opportunity to shape the future of this community based village clinic.
Dr Julia Mewes is opening a new practice in Rottingdean, in a clinic with a forty year history, which has only been intermittently open these last few years, and has been closed since December 2021.
We are looking for an experienced full or part-time vet to join our caring, friendly team. This role would suit a vet would like to settle down and build relationships with our lovely new clients as they gradually return; a vet with empathy for the patient and owner, excellent communication skills and telephone manner, plus the enthusiasm to put their skills to their best use.
We already have two RVNs, and two experienced receptionists ready to go, and will open our doors in early January 2023. Julia will be one of the vets, and we need a colleague to support her (or vice versa). CPD and memberships funded and your interests nurtured.
Priority will be given to those with at least 12 months' experience. All team members work at least one evening per week to 6.30pm. This role includes one in three Saturday mornings.
Julia established The Mewes Vets Ltd 26 years ago. She has built it into a multi-award winning small animal independent RCVS accredited veterinary clinic, known for being a great place to work. It is based in central Haywards Heath. We treat pets as friends, and endeavour to have the same vet see that pet on its every visit, allowing us a closer bond with our patients.
We reserve appointments every day for 'on the day only' appointments. These are urgent cases, not necessarily emergencies. But by doing this we always have capacity to see sick pets when their owners are worried about them, without (usually) double booking, or asking our team to work late.
We want to take everything that is great from Haywards Heath, and bring it to Rottingdean.
This role would suit someone who is a team player and who is able to work in a busy environment, and prefers a small friendly team.
Equipment at the practice:
* 1 consulting room
* 1 operating theatre, with modern operating lights
* 1 small hospital
* Digital radiography
* Dental radiography
* Ultrasound machine
* Sevoflurane anaesthesia
* In house lab.
* Visiting scanner, endoscopist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist and orthopaedic surgeon, if required.
The practice building is very compact and hygienic, mid terrace, converted 40 years ago to a vets' practice, being refurbished to re-open in January 23.
The practice is located 15 minutes east of Brighton, 2 minutes walk from the sea. Gatwick airport and central London are within an easy commute.
Attractions in the area: An extraordinarily beautiful Sussex village on the coast. The South Downs National Park is on the doorstep. Nearby is the excitement of cosmopolitan Brighton, with its Pavilion, theatres, festivals, pier and beach. It is surrounded by pretty farmland with extensive dog walks and riding options, both equine and pedal powered. Within easy reach of central London and the rest of the world via Gatwick, yet peaceful and spacious when at home. The clinic is situated at the centre of this gorgeous village, with its attractive shops and tea rooms. It backs onto the coastal path by the sea, and has excellent public transport connections. You can reach the beach from work in a few minutes' stroll.
This position requires a vet who is capable of sole charge on a Saturday morning, or for an hour or two in the evenings. However, support and second cover can easily be arranged if appropriate, until the recruit feels confident. You will receive 25 days (or equivalent for part-timers) paid holiday per year plus Bank Holidays. There will be no out of hours work, which will be managed by a specialist team a short drive away.
Attributes of person required
* empathy for the patient, and their owner as well as for colleagues.
* excellent communication skills.
* ability to apply skills learnt at University in a practical GP situation.
* ability to make care plans based on the patient's medical needs and the client's budget.
* ability to think for themselves, not follow a care plan sheet.
* a gentle manner with patients.
Normal clinic hours:
8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday
8.30am to 12.30 on Saturday
This role does not have any OOH. If we run late,
overtime is paid
. We pay the usual hourly rate for any time worked over the contracted hours per week, i.e. you are not expected to work overtime free of charge But you will be positively encouraged to develop and maintain a good work-life balance.
The number of hours to be worked per week will be negotiated. Full time would be hours per week (candidate's choice), plus one in three Saturday mornings. This would include up to two late evening clinics, (minimum of one) and two early starts per week.
Alternatively, a part-time colleague would be welcomed, precise hours to be discussed, but at least one evening clinic per week is preferred for all staff, and one in three Saturday mornings.
The successful candidate will have 5 weeks' paid holiday, paid CPD and memberships.
Neither accommodation nor a car are provided, but assistance to acquire these could be cheerfully offered, if required. Car parking can be difficult to find in Rottingdean. Consideration to use public transport or car sharing might be valuable.
The Mewes Vets is a well established practice in Haywards Heath. Dr Mewes intends to take what's good from there, and transplant this to Rottingdean.
* Our focus is on being great GPs for pets.
* We prioritise care of each other, second only to care of our patients.
* We practice ISFM principles and kindness first in all things, and have signed up to work towards dog and rabbit friendliness too.
* We have a one-pet-one-vet policy, meaning that each vet is positively encouraged to follow through on their own cases long term, in sickness and in health.
* We encourage our RVNs to perform all procedures they are trained for, so you will find them exceptionally well motivated and highly skilled.
* We have a strong well-pet care programme, particularly for geriatric cats, but also for weight management, mobility care, thyroid, diabetic, cardiac and renal patients.
* I do not insist that my vets perform veterinary medicine 'my way'. I ask each of my vets to make the best decision for each pet at that moment, taking into consideration its whole circumstances, including its owner's budget.
* We have a pet care plan in Haywards Heath with at least 60% of our active clients signed up.
* We have a team of people who are well motivated and happy. Many of our staff are extremely long-serving. I encourage each team member to be the best they can be, and to follow their own dreams and goals.
* We have won multiple awards for our customer service, including Top 25 BestUKVets in 2019 and 2020, and BestUKVets Best in West Sussex 2021.
* I intend to stay joyfully independent for at least the next decade.
Preferred start date would be the beginning of February 2023, but we can wait for the ideal candidate.
Join this brand new team at its launch, and practice veterinary medicine for all the reasons you joined the profession.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Hours: per week
Salary: £25.00-£31.00 per hour
Benefits:
* Company events
* Company pension
* Employee discount
* Flexitime
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
* Weekend availability
Supplemental pay types:
* Bonus scheme
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Rottingdean, BN2 7HQ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* Veterinary experience: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
* RCVS (required)
Application deadline: 17/11/2022
Expected start date: 01/02/2023Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall.
Responsibilities
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Qualifications
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