Veterinary Surgeon Wanted

The Green Veterinary Surgery is a little different to many veterinary practices. If you are looking for a role with a relaxed pace of life, where small animal consults are 30 minutes, and your large animal diary is not jam-packed, then this could be the perfect place for you to put down roots and join our lovely team. We’re also very fortunate to have a loyal client base with many farms still family-owned. Imagine James Herriot but with no grumpy Siegfried and all the modern kit!

This is what vet Jose said about working with us:

"The Green Veterinary Surgery is a friendly and welcoming place to work. Independently owned, you can really feel the personal touch of not only working as a team but as a family, too. In your free time, there's plenty to explore in beautiful Cumbria! It's certainly a place I'd always be happy to go back to!" Jose Costa MRCVS

Practice owner Martin qualified from Edinburgh in 1990 and worked in various areas of the UK before returning to his roots near Penrith and taking over the practice in 2013. The Green is a truly mixed 4-vet surgery and is very much at the heart of the community. The balance of work is 50% large (dairy, beef, and sheep), 45% small, and 5% equine (mainly horses belonging to the farmers we visit, and Martin also attends Carlisle races).

Martin is a great all-rounder and is equally happy when doing fertility visits, as he is with most soft tissue surgeries and basic orthopaedics. In his words, he’s happy doing anything including mopping the floors. As a team, we are great at supporting each other, and we also have an excellent relationship with our neighbouring practice, and we even cover each other’s Christmas party so nobody in the practice has to be on call.

Charlie joined us as a new graduate last year and has settled in really well. The relaxed diary has allowed Martin to spend proper time with her, mentoring and teaching new procedures, which he enjoys. Outside work she’s joined the village pantomime group and took part in last year’s panto, so is well and truly part of the local community. This is how Charlie feels about being part of the practice:

I started working here last September after graduating. There’s a real mix of work; I can do small animal consulting, farm visits and surgery all on the same day and spending time building relationships with the clients (who are lovely and very laid-back) is actively encouraged. Small animal consultations are 30 minutes which means there’s plenty of time built into the diary for working up cases, making cases more satisfying for both us and the clients.

The working environment is very relaxed - we do a lot of laughing and have a hard-working kettle! Martin, the director (and my mentor) is very patient and supportive and takes it on the chin when I boss him around! It’s great to have the freedom to do things your own way and a culture where everyone is open to clinical discussion and new ideas.

I love living in this part of Cumbria. It’s beautiful and close to the lakes but stays fairly quiet when the holiday-makers descend. It doesn’t even rain as much as the locals like to make out.”

We are well equipped both on the small and large animal side, including Easiscan with high-definition BUGs and remote screen, tup and bull fertility testing equipment, broncho, and rhinoscope, air plasma cautery and cutting, digital x-ray with bucky table and fantastic ultrasound with all the probes you need. The surgery is in the village of Skelton with beautiful views and it’s an exciting time to join us, as we’re also considering brand-new purpose-built facilities.

The rota currently alternates between a 4 and a 5-day week, but we plan to move to a 4-day week once we’ve recruited. Like many rural mixed practices, we cover our own OOHs on a 1:4 rota, which includes Saturday consults between 8.30am to 1.30pm. During the week you’ll have one night on call when you’ll finish early so you can have a proper break before the phones go over to the answering service. We have such a supportive team who are always willing to help out when needed – just pop a message in our WhatsApp group and you’ll soon have an extra pair of hands. For less experienced vets, Martin is always happy to provide backup both during the working day and out of hours so you won’t have to worry about being sent off to deal with your first caesarean alone.

If you’re a more experienced vet looking towards the future we’re happy to support your interests and career development and can offer genuine partnership prospects as we are committed to remaining independent.

Situated in the beautiful Eden Valley, Penrith is surrounded by stunning scenery from the Pennine hills to the Northern Lakes. For those who love getting outdoors, it’s a great place to live with water sports at nearby Ullswater Lake, cycling, hiking, or just enjoying the view over a pint in the local pub garden. Our team loves to get out and about, not just for our Christmas party or a birthday celebration, but often meeting for dog walks or a day at Carlisle Races. If you’re someone who likes a challenge then how about taking on one of the ‘Three-Peaks’ and heading for the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain?

We are offering:

• Salary of £36,000 to £56,000
• 28 days holiday (based on 50% of the year being a 4-day week)
• CPD encouraged with certificates supported and funded
• Genuine partnership opportunities
• Accommodation available
• Company vehicle provided for business use
• Professional fees paid for RCVS, Veterinary Defence Society and BVA
• Access to free local CPD with the Lakeland Vet Association (local branch of BVA)
• Company pension

If you would like to know more about us then please call for an informal chat, or if this sounds like the change of pace you’re looking for then apply now!