South Devon Veterinary Hospital & Referrals has an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Ophthalmologist to join our team!
The Role
We are ideally looking for a Vet with plenty of experience and drive who would be keen to get involved in practice development, whilst providing superb patient and client care.
You will be an integral member of our small but passionate Ophthalmology team and will be working closely with our highly experienced Diplomat ECVO Ophthalmologist Jim Carter to deliver a first-class service. You will be aided in clinical expertise and surgical skills so that you will be able to manage the most difficult cases.
Confidence to shape your own caseload and offer guidance & development to other members of the clinical team, whilst working closely with the Practice Director to promote clinical best practice across all our sites is desirable.
About Us
Our Referral Centre is located on the edge of Newton Abbot, Devon, in the beautiful village of Abbotskerswell. Abbotskerswell developed around the growing of apples for cider making and having converted the Old Cider Works into our purpose-built Hospital and Referral Centre, we opened our doors in 2009.
Perfectly placed between Dartmoor and the South Devon Coastline, it is ideal for long winter walks on the stunning moors or lazy days on sandy beaches.
Newtown Abbot is a superb market town to explore, and nearby are beaches, great seaside amusements and wide open stretches of countryside full of foot paths and cycle routes with stunning views.
The M5 Motorway is just minutes away from the practice, as is the train station, with direct trains to Exeter, Bristol, London, and into Cornwall.
The Practice
We accept referrals in Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, CT scanning, and Cardiology, and our highly experienced nursing team are on hand 24 hours a day for in-patient care. Alongside our referral service, we support a close-knit group of PSS-accredited First Opinion practices which have been established both independently and as part of a group for well over 30 years, with many of our original staff still with us.
The practice is exceptionally well-equipped with a full range of surgical and specialist Ophthalmology equipment in a dedicated Ophthalmology theatre including slit lamps, AMO Whitestar Phaco, tonometers, operating microscope, Fundus camera, indirect Ophthalmoscopes, and high-resolution ocular ultrasound.
In addition to this, we have an onsite CT scanner, digital X-ray, a range of videoscopes & fibre bronchoscope, rigid endoscopes, laparoscopy & thoracoscopy equipment, multiple capnographs & multiparameter monitors & ultrasound.
About the Team and Culture
Our team of 9 Vets and one Diplomat are supported by 15 RVNs, 3 SVNs, 3 VCAs, and a fabulous reception team, all led by our hardworking Practice Managers & Practice Director who are on hand to support everyone. Our Nurses do daily consults and schedule 3 work. We also have a dedicated Surgical Nurse who is experienced in anaesthetic blocks and many of the nursing team are certificate holders with special interests.
Applicant Requirements
The ideal candidate will have
1. A positive and confident outlook.
2. Resilience with an ability to stay focused, despite the odd setback and challenge.
3. A friendly and compassionate approach.
4. Excellent leadership skills.
5. Well-developed people skills and can recognise who needs what and when.
6. Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or be eligible for membership.
7. A UK recognised veterinary qualification and clinical experience as a First Opinion Veterinary Surgeon.
We would be particularly keen to hear from you if you are an Advanced Practitioner or training towards that qualification.
Because our employee’s matter
We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from:
Work-life balance
8. 6.6 weeks annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
9. Your birthday as a paid day off
Well-being
10. Private medical insurance
11. Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
12. Cycle to Work scheme
13. Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
14. Non-accidental injury support
Development
15. Generous CPD allowance
16. Certificate Support
17. Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
18. Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
19. All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
20. All our Vets get £1000 per annum to spend via our Care Fund
21. Infection Prevention and Control Programme
22. Quality Improvement Programme
Professional Memberships
23. BVA membership
24. VDS cover
25. RCVS fees
Additional
26. £5000 relocation allowance
27. Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100’s of retailers
28. Pension – 5% Employee/3% Employer
29. Discounted staff pet care
As a BAME and LGBTQ+ inclusive employer, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.
If this position is of interest to you then please contact Ciaran Connolly - Talent Partner, to discuss further.