Experienced Veterinary Surgeon

Pennard Vets; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Maidstone is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Surgeon to join their team. The role involves diagnosing and treating various animal health issues, ensuring optimal animal welfare, and building strong relationships with clients. The successful candidate will thrive in a supportive work environment and commit to continuous professional development.

Qualifications

• Must possess a MRCVS qualification and RCVS registration.
• Experience in veterinary surgery and commitment to continuous learning required.
• Ability to handle emergency situations and patient interactions effectively.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in a range of small animals.
• Undertake surgical operations and manage patient records.
• Promote animal health and welfare through consultations and preventative medicine.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong organisational skills

Attention to detail

Strong diagnostic and surgical skills

Compassionate and empathetic

Ability to work well under pressure

Knowledge of animal behaviour, physiology, and pharmacology

Ability to adapt to different situations

Education

MRCVS Qualification

RCVS registration

Job description

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Are you a passionate and dedicated Veterinary Surgeon looking to take your career to the next level? Do you want to work in a supportive environment where you can thrive and grow? If so, we’d love to welcome you to our Maidstone branch!

About Us:

We like to do things differently. As one of the UK’s leading independent veterinary practices, we charted our own course, becoming Employees Owned and being the first vets in Europe to become a certified B corporation.

We are proud of our 125-year legacy that brings stability, experience and values that have stood the test of time. Pennard people are in animal care by choice, believe in our values and have a real stake in every client relationship. Our way aims to positively impact our clients, team,community, and environment.

We believe that our people should do what they are good at and what they naturally love.

This is for a range of reasons:

We want you to be happy because we care and believe that when you are happy, your work benefits.

We want you to do what you are passionate about. When you are at your most engaged, you do your best work and are happy. Everything fits.

About the role

As an experienced Veterinary Surgeon, your primary responsibility is to promote animal health by diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries in animals. You are passionate about animal welfare and understand the importance of focusing on animal and client needs. You build client relationships and work collaboratively with all team members to ensure excellent customer service and clinical practice.

Working as part of a team, you are responsible for treating and caring for animals and the day-to-day running of the surgery. You are committed to developing your skills to deliver customer service and clinical practice excellence. You have a strong understanding of animal anatomy and physiology, as well as the latest treatments and technologies in veterinary medicine. You can work independently and as part of a team, possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and maintain the practice standards with empathy and compassion.

Your dedication to excellence in customer service and clinical practice is evident in your ability to train and support other team members in different areas. You are committed to staying up to date with CPD and the latest techniques in veterinary medicine. You provide support when needed and are always willing to lend a helping hand.

In summary, as a Veterinary Surgeon, you promote animal health, diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, and focus on animal and client needs. You work well in a team, possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and maintain the practice standards with empathy and compassion. You are dedicated to staying up to date with CPD and the latest veterinary medicine techniques, and you support other team members when needed.

Reports to:

Practice Principal

Employment Type:

Permanent, full-time

Location:

Maidstone, Allington and Langley Park, Kent

Hours:

4 days per week, exact days TBC

Salary:

TBC – Depending on experience

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform consultations and medical treatment for a range of small animals.
• Undertake continuing professional and personal development associated with the role to comply with RCVS regulations.
• Promote and safeguard animal health and welfare through client education and preventative medicine, working to prevent disease in animals and the spread of disease.
• Undertake surgical operations (including neutering and general surgery) and the necessary tasks associated with such a procedure, anesthesia, monitoring, and research.
• Carry out tests such as X-rays, blood samples, and ultrasound scans.
• Immunise animals against different types of disease.
• Perform euthanasia when necessary.
• Handle and administer drugs accurately and in accordance with professional and health and safety guidelines, dispose of any waste involved competently and swiftly, and record all drugs administered to patients.
• Handle and dispose of chemicals in accordance with health and safety guidelines.
• Handle and process laboratory samples, packaging them correctly for postage, and record this activity.
• Undertake home visits when required.
• Provide emergency and out-of-hours veterinary cover on a roster basis.
• Provide suitable paperwork for animals travelling abroad and insert identification microchips.
• Maintain patient records.
• Support the Practice in its endeavours to improve and increase business by means of marketing, education, and self-improvement.
• Liaise with and refer to other professionals within the industry when required.
• Liaise with clients to inform them of their pet’s ongoing progress and treatment options, including the costs involved.
• Undertake any other duties as directed by the Director or senior staff.
• Working together with the Practice Principle with line management and leadership duties.
• Maintain staff relationships by being a mentor, treating each other with respect and professional courtesy.
• Maintain a professional appearance and approach while at work.
• Arrive at work on time, ready and prepared to work by the start of each scheduled shift.
• Work within practice policies and procedures.

Candidate requirements

Requirements:

• MRCVS Qualification
• RCVS registration
• Excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with clients and colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills to manage a high caseload and prioritise tasks effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in medical record keeping and treatment planning.
• Strong diagnostic and surgical skills with the ability to make quick and sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Compassionate and empathetic towards animals and their owners
• Ability to work well under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of animal behaviour, physiology, and pharmacology
• Familiarity with laboratory and diagnostic equipment and software
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous learning.
• Ability to lift and restrain animals of various sizes and weights.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time during surgery and consultations.
• Manual dexterity to perform delicate surgical procedures and handle small laboratory equipment.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and on-call shifts as required by the practice.
• Availability to respond to emergency calls outside of regular business hours.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for home visits and emergency calls as required.

Personal Qualities:

• Approachable, respectful, and friendly – Being approachable and friendly with colleagues, clients, and animals is essential to building trust and developing strong relationships.
• Compassion, empathy, and humility – Veterinary Surgeons must genuinely love and be concerned for animals and their well-being. They should be able to empathise with the animals and their owners and approach their work with a compassionate and humble attitude.
• Good listener – It is essential to ensure everyone, including clients and team members, is heard. A good Duty Veterinary Surgeon should listen actively and seek to understand others’ perspectives.
• Fairness – Fairness is key in all aspects of the job, from treatment decisions to scheduling and workloads. Duty Veterinary Surgeons must be fair and consistent in their actions.
• Lead by example – A good leader should lead by example, modelling the behaviour they want to see in others. In this way, they can inspire and motivate their team to provide the highest quality animal care.
• Willingness to learn – Veterinary medicine constantly evolves, and new treatments and procedures are continually being developed. veterinary surgeons should embrace not knowing all the answers and be willing to learn and grow in their profession.
• Ability to make beneficial changes – Veterinary Surgeons should be initiative-taking in identifying areas for improvement and be willing to make beneficial changes to improve the practice’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Industry Knowledge and Technical Skills – Veterinary Surgeons must possess extensive knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and disease diagnosis and treatment. They should be familiar with the latest technologies and treatments in veterinary medicine and be committed to ongoing professional development.
• Interpersonal Skills – Good interpersonal skills are crucial for Veterinary Surgeons, as they must communicate effectively with clients, team members, and other professionals in the industry. They should be able to explain complex medical information in simple terms and be able to build and maintain positive relationships with clients and team members.
• Administrative Skills – Veterinary Surgeons must have strong administrative skills to manage patient records, scheduling, and billing. They should be detail-oriented and accurate in their record-keeping and able to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Calm Under Pressure – Working as a Veterinary Surgeon can be stressful and demanding, especially in emergency situations. , veterinary surgeons must be able to remain calm under pressure and make quick and effective decisions to provide the best care possible.
• Emotional Intelligence – Veterinary Surgeons must have high levels of emotional intelligence to recognise and manage their own emotions and empathise with the emotions of others, especially in stressful or emotionally charged situations.
• Adaptability – Veterinary Surgeons must be able to adapt well to different situations, from routine check-ups to emergency surgeries. They should be flexible and able to think on their feet to provide the best care possible in any given situation.
• Initiative Thinking – Veterinary Surgeons should have initiative thinking skills to evaluate options and implement solutions to complex medical problems. They should be able to provide a holistic approach to animal care, balancing the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Vision and Values

We are passionate about giving the right care, in the right way and at the right time and in a sustainable way. We believe every pet deserves care that goes beyond the ordinary.

Our mission at Pennard Vets is to combine intuition and intelligent innovation to deliver the very best care available anywhere. The care we deliver is proactive, personalised and powered by innovation. We do this by embracing four core values:

Client and Team Focus – we invest our energy and experience in a way that is right for them.

Compassion – we are sensitive to the wants and needs of the client, their pet and each other.

Continuous Improvement – we never stop exploring new and better ways to care for clients and their pets. We have an on-going willingness to learn new ideas and skills, which means we continue to innovate.

Clarity – we keep it simple. We speak clearly and honestly to each other and our clients.

Unity – we work collectively with purpose at all times – we recognise the merit of individual whilst working together with trust and consensus.

How to Apply:

If you’re excited about joining a practice that supports your growth and values your skills, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your CV and a brief cover letter to [e-mail].

Come be a part of our Pennard Vets family and help us make a difference in the lives of our beloved pets!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_column_text css="%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22background-color%22%3A%22%23f5f5f5%22%2C%22padding-left%22%3A%2230px%22%2C%22padding-top%22%3A%2230px%22%2C%22padding-bottom%22%3A%2230px%22%2C%22padding-right%22%3A%2230px%22%7D%7D"]About Pennard Vets

At Pennard Vets, every member of our team is an employee owner of the practice, committed to ensuring our service goes beyond the ordinary. We’re creating an environment that looks after the people that look after the pets. We’re 125 years old, and by operating in this way, we’ll continue to grow for the next 125 years, and beyond.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]