Our lush and pleasant Herefordshire is renowned for a relaxing pace of life. We’ve got great connections to fresh air, fields and rolling countryside – big cities are overrated. If you’re feeling more adventurous then the Welsh hills aren’t too far away. If you would like to be within a stone’s throw of an airport have a look for another job, the roads aren’t great around here.

We are looking out for our JVP Elliot. As we take on more patients and (team members) our JVP Elliot is spending more time with out of hours cases and management. Not that we don't like working with him, but he needs time away from the practice sometimes! Head Nurse Becky has been taking on more practice management tasks to support Elliot & the team, so we are also employing another RVN.

It’s taken a while to write this as we’ve not needed to advertise for a vet or permanent nurse since 2021! Approach this advert with caution… the grass is definitely greener in Herefordshire and you might not want to leave once you are here!

Our practice community:

· One of our most hardworking colleagues is Boris, our multiparameter monitor. He may be known for shouting at inappropriate times and sometimes likes to make things up just to impress us but he is well used despite this.

· Jimmy, Niki and Karen our drip pumps like to compete for attention, Karen in particular is always trying to convince us all of her bubble conspiracy theories.

· New team member Hope the ultrasound scanner helps to hold the team together due to her great listening skills, it took us a long time to track down the machine we needed and she is well loved.

· To keep all these miscreants in check we’ve got a patient team of Nurses who between them have a wealth of knowledge including a MSc in Nutrition, interests in surgical nursing as well as qualifications in dog training, behaviour, physio and clinical canine massage!

· Our motivated reception and support team are dab hands at managing a waiting room, completing BVRA qualifications and keeping the day running smoothly.

· Vet Natasha has a certificate in conservation medicine and is nearing completion of her imaging certificate too! Vet Kate has an interest in Charity medicine and supports our relationship with Cats Protection and our weekly clinics at the Herefordshire centre.

· Partner Elliot has a certificate in exotic animal practice, has almost completed a surgical certificate and is fully committed to supporting everyone on the team. Outside of work Elliot regularly takes his rescue animals to schools, care homes and events as well as attending careers events himself. Additionally he is a leader at this years Future Vet Camp Scotland (yes that’s very far away from us!).

The home of Vets4Pets Hereford:

We are a 7 year old, purpose built, modern practice within Pets at Home. Bright, well ventilated working area with air-conditioning. Separate wards for canine, feline, exotic patients as well as isolation, all temperature controlled. We have a range of machines to help us out; multi-parameter, doppler, ultrasound, digital x-ray, hand-held pulse-ox, fluid pumps, fluid warmer, in-house lab etc. Like any practice we also have a wish list of kit and we’re open to new ideas on this too. We have visiting orthopaedic surgeons through RATA. This allows case discussion and continuity of care.

We are part of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme achieving ‘excellent’ in the client service award. We are an approved training practice. We are ISFM Gold Feline Friendly, RWAF Silver Rabbit Friendly and BHWT Hen Friendly.

We have 30 minute consulting slots. The aim is better client communication, preventative health care discussions and sufficient admin time.

Focusing on wellbeing is second nature for us. We don’t have a bowl of shrivelled fruit in the corner but we do carry out wellbeing check-ins and have colleagues who work from home to take on the heavy lifting organising many admin roles. We have overhauled our benefit package recently. We love getting involved with the community and carry out client and CPD evenings.

We have three mental health first aiders, qualified with MHFA England.

The Program:

· You’ll be supported.

· Access to a cohort of other new graduates, tailored CPD and time off to attend all sessions. Sessions are a blend of in person, practical and online. You’ll get approximately 10 days off to attend CPD when on the Grad programme.

Hours: We can offer flexibility in our requirements for the right candidate, below gives a guide to what would be possible.

· Maximum 40 hours per week, part time considered

· We don’t believe it is ethical to send emergency patients over 40 miles to receive care so we carry out our own on call service. As a new grad you would join this when you feel ready. Nights worked are flexible.

· We love working weekends, we have a lovely clientele that really appreciate our services. We would expect a minimum of 2 weekend days every 6 weeks. This could compromise of 2 separate Saturdays or one whole weekend. If you would like to work more at the weekends this would be welcomed.

· We’re open between 9am and 8pm on weekdays. 9am-6pm Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday. Lunch hour is paid.

· We are very flexible with our shift patterns – everyone has a work pattern to suit their preference.

Candidate Experience:

· Your most important quality will be to get involved – everyone is part of the team and we all muck in to help each other when needed.

· Surgery. The whole team loves to teach and are well used to coaching, we just need you to enjoy learning!

· Consulting. Most consultations are currently booked as thirty minute appointments. Our ethos is to build a trusting relationship with our lovely client base.

· Exotics. No previous exotic experience necessary. Training given to include common consults, radiography and diagnostics. JVP Elliot spends more time at work than sleeping and if not is always at the end of the phone to assist. The nursing team are experienced and supportive too.

We embrace everyone’s differences and care for each other, we are a vibrant and diverse team.

Salary: New graduate starting at £35,500 with an increase after your first and second year.

Annual Leave: 5.6 weeks per year, increasing to 7.6 weeks after 2 years of service. Birthday leave.

CPD Allowance: £2000, but option of increasing through a learning agreement.

Benefits: Paid breaks. Paid RCVS registration. Paid membership of choice (e.g. BSAVA, BVNA). 20% off Pets at Home and Groom Room. Reduced cost veterinary treatment and preventatives. Contributory pension scheme. Life assurance scheme. Access to company discount schemes (cinema, restaurant, holidays etc). Employee assistance programme through the Retail Trust.

Sitting right at the centre of the community and providing excellent veterinary care has always been part of our vision. To excel at this and provide a workplace that feels comfortable and secure we have perfected our ability to connect with clients and build relationships of mutual trust between our team, patients and the people we work with.

Elliot and the team opened our embryonic practice in 2017 and immediately started to grow a reputation for offering a clean, professional service operating from a well maintained and loved practice. Over the years our scope of service has expanded with the careful development of our dedicated, highly driven and skilled colleagues. Our 30 minute consults allow us to provide the best care we can for our patients and provide our clients with the opportunity to experience top quality care based on our trademark relationship of mutual trust.

Our practice is situated in the Rural city of Hereford. The county is renowned for a slower pace of life and beautiful countryside alongside plenty of history and cultural landmarks. We’re well connected to the things in life that matter – the stunning landscapes of the welsh borders and clean fresh air.

We love teaching and showing our practice off! If you’re looking for an inclusive team for a placement or to continue your career please get in touch. Even if we’re not actively recruiting we still love to hear your plans and share ours and will often find a spot for the right person.