A supportive and forward-thinking hospital practice with a friendly team that will help develop your skills and career. Bishop’s Stortford Vets is an independent small animal hospital in beautiful Hertfordshire, which has been part of the community for over 120 years. We achieved RCVS-accredited status in 1985 and continually invest in the latest equipment and training to provide the highest standards of patient and client care.
Our friendly, close-knit team of 16 vets have many years of experience, allowing us to work up and manage the majority of cases in-house, including most soft tissue surgeries and orthopaedics. Neil is passionate about both orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery and is always happy to help with unusual or tricky cases. Ruth has a small animal internal medicine certificate and enjoys cardiac ultrasound. Poppy has completed her surgery certificate and is also leading our drive to become more sustainable. Rachael holds an ECC certificate, bringing valuable expertise in emergency and critical care to the team. Suzie is currently working towards her surgery certificate, while Henry is pursuing a medicine certificate. Rosemary is interested in behaviour and dermatology and is our go-to person for these sometimes tricky cases. Malwina has completed her ophthalmology certificate and recently progressed to Advanced Practitioner status. She is now relocating, and while we’re sad to see her go, we’re excited for her as she takes the next step in her career in a role dedicated to her passion for ophthalmology. We have a superb nursing team of 29 RVNs, SVNs, and ACAs and an excellent admin team who keep everything running smoothly. We are also fortunate to have the expertise of our in-house laboratory manager and a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist, enabling us to offer hydrotherapy onsite. there is always time to discuss complex cases and to do surgery /ultrasound/ endoscopy with a partner, so you progress. I was encouraged to go on an epidural CPD and buy the kit so we can improve our anaesthetics. Every time I have needed help out of hours, a partner has called me back to help me and has always offered to come in. I don't think you could find a better general practice to develop in.” I began working at Bishops Stortford 18 months ago as a new graduate vet, and I haven’t looked back since. Having graduated during a global pandemic, this was very important to me. BSVH has helped to shape who I am as a vet, and I look forward to plenty more learning and laughs with the team.” They have a superbly knowledgeable veterinary team who are very humble and easily approachable, and they are always there to help and share their skills. From internal medicine, cardiology, surgery (both soft tissue and orthopaedic), endoscopy and ultrasound, they have it all covered at an extremely high level. They always look after and value their team's well-being and always put patient care before anything. There are numerous occasions when they will go above and beyond for the patients that require prolonged veterinary care, where finances are limited. The clinical directors have always been very supportive, both in helping achieve clinical progression goals and with personal issues. Bringing my concerns to the directors, I was able to make changes to my working days and arrange a sabbatical, taking some time from work to reset and renew my interest and energy for the veterinary life!" We have all the kit you’d expect in a well-equipped hospital; ASIF kit, mono/bipolar cautery, multi-parameter anaesthetic monitors with capnography, digital x-ray, rigid, doppler ultrasound, in-house laboratory, laser therapy, tonometry, an operating microscope, a slit lamp, loupes and a separate dental suite with dental x-ray as well as our brand new all singing, all dancing ultrasound machine. We have also recently upgraded our flexible video-endoscopy and invested in laparoscopy, which we are in the process of setting up, and will be able to offer this service soon.
If there’s an area of veterinary medicine you’re already passionate about, or one you’re curious to explore, we’ve got the right mix of interesting cases, hands-on support, and funding to help you take that next step, including starting a certificate if that’s where you’re headed. With Malwina’s departure, it would be a bonus if you have an interest in ophthalmology, but this certainly isn’t essential. We know starting somewhere new can feel a bit daunting, so we’ll pair you with a buddy vet during your induction to help you settle in.
whether it’s discussing a tricky case, scrubbing in on a new procedure, or picking up tips from someone with a different area of interest. You’ll also have the chance to pass on your skills, playing a valued role in mentoring and supporting our new and recent graduates alongside the partners.
The Rota
Our full-time vets work a 4-day week with an early finish once a week. 5-day week. We can be flexible with the rota, so if you are looking for a part-time position, we are happy to chat about the options available. We value our work-life balance, so we decided to split the weekends so nobody works a full weekend on call. These are the equivalent of 1:9 but split over two weekends, and we’ve found this has really improved everyone’s work-life balance. We offer bonus pay for any procedures carried out when on call and have an RVN on-site 24/7 to care for any inpatients.
The local area and what we get up to outside of work
Bishops Stortford is a pretty market town, with plenty of cafés, restaurants and great schools, all surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. Many team members have dogs, so we have our own ‘doggie work team’ who join us in practice and walks during breaks. The practice is also just across the road from the local leisure centre for those who want a swim or workout before or after work, plus a large park for lunchtime walks. The area offers many outdoor activities, such as cycling, walking, open-water swimming, and fishing at nearby lakes, not to mention that we’re just over an hour from the Essex coast. There are excellent rail links, with a direct train service to London Liverpool Street that takes approximately 45 minutes, one to Cambridge that takes 30 minutes, and Stansted Airport is just 15 minutes away. So, keen travellers will find it easy to jet off for a weekend getaway.
Relocation package up to £3000
Open to offering sabbaticals
Five weeks' holiday, plus bank holidays
Accommodation is available in a separate flat during on-call if you prefer to stay at the practice
Visa sponsorship available
Bring your dog to work
Company pension
If you want to learn more about us, please call us for an informal chat or apply now!