Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Fancy messing about on the river like Ratty and Mole..

Valley Vets are a friendly, independent small animal practice situated in beautiful rural West Berkshire where Kenneth Grahame, author of “The Wind in the Willows” lived. We have clinics in Tutts Clump, Spencers Wood and Pangbourne. One of our lovely vets Lucy is leaving to pursue her passion for ECC so we are looking for a vet to join our team. We’re a light-hearted bunch who always try to make the workday fun. We can offer you a relaxed, supportive atmosphere with clinical freedom to work-up cases to a high standard, without the need to worry about targets or KPIs.

We have a friendly and supportive team, who are always happy to share their knowledge and experience, or chat through a tricky case. Steven joined Valley Vets in 2009 as a new graduate and after taking a year out to travel he returned to take on partnership, eventually becoming sole Director in 2018. Steven has a small animal surgery certificate and enjoys both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. He is also a VetGDP Advisor and is happy to mentor new grads or less experienced vets who are looking to develop their surgical skills.

Alix started with us after graduating from the RVC in 2016 and has grown to be a fantastic GP vet with an interest in soft tissue surgery. Alix also enjoys mentoring and is our second Vet GDP Advisor.

Chloe soon settled into the team after joining us in 2020 following graduation and has found the whole team to be so supportive from day one. Chloe is now pursuing her passion for surgery and has recently started her surgery certificate. She also enjoys imaging and has undertaken further training in cardiac ultrasound.

“I started at Valley Veterinary Group as a new graduate, and have been supported throughout as I progress in my career.  I am now working towards a certificate in  soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. It’s great to work for this independent practice, as I have the clinical freedom to make my own decisions, whilst still having the backing of a solid team. It’s refreshing not to have the pressures of financial targets. I really enjoy the variety of surgery and consultations on a daily basis which guarantees no two days are ever the same.” Chloe MRCVS

Our Practice Manager Val has been with us for over 30 years and as Valley Vets official mother hen, her door is always open to us if we need to chat, discuss any issues or want to put forward new ideas.

We are a nurse training practice and have an amazing team of RVNs, SVNs and ACAs led by Head Nurse Amy who originally started with us as a Saturday receptionist before beginning her nurse training in 2008. We believe in growing our own talent and Amy particularly enjoys her role as clinical coach to the next generation of nurses.

We have a loyal client base that continues to grow by word of mouth, and our clients want to do the best for their pets, allowing us to work up most cases in house. We are well equipped with digital x-ray, ultrasound at each clinic plus our new cardiac ultrasound machine, endoscopy, orthopaedic kit and brand new full in-house lab.

Ideally we are looking for a full-time vet and this can be a 4 day or 4.5-day week, with just 1:4 Saturday mornings. However, we’re also happy to chat to anyone interested in a part-time role or couples looking to work together. Our out of hours are outsourced to VetsNow, who also look after the inpatients, so your evenings and weekends are free to enjoy.

We schedule our days to include a mix of consultations and operating, so there is always time to practice the skills you already have, develop your skill set and if there’s a surgery you’re not confident with, we’re happy to set time aside for you to scrub in and learn. There is time throughout the day to catch up on admin, make phone calls and to take a proper lunch break - when you’ll be able to clear your head and take a walk in the surrounding countryside. Your four-legged friends are also very welcome to join you at the practice.

We all enjoy a get together outside of work whether we’re organising a curry night and drinks, a summer BBQ or a proper knees up like last year’s Christmas party – a themed party night at Trunkwell House Hotel, which involved some very competitive dodgems moves!

Berkshire is not just for the Royals, it’s a lovely area to live and work. It’s a great combo of beautiful countryside with the North Wessex Downs, riverside walks along the Thames and great country pubs but with easy access to Reading, Newbury and Basingstoke.  With the M4 close by it’s also easy to head West or London is just an hour away.

The package:

• Salary of £35,000 to £65,000
• 30 days holiday including bank holidays, increasing with length of service to maximum of 38 days including bank holidays.
• New graduate programme through MWI
• Certificates fully supported and funded, including additional CPD days when undertaking a certificate.
• Professional fees paid for BVA, BSAVA, RCVS and VDS.
• Private health care
• Practice access to Vet Stream
• 4 legged friends very welcome 😊

If you would like to develop your career with the support of our experienced team then call us for an informal chat or just apply now.