Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Fancy working at an award-winning practice with a unique, flexible rota with no OOHs? Then read on…

About us

Riverside Vet Care is a modern small animal practice in beautiful Monmouthshire. We are proudly independent and have a strong ethos of looking after our team and supporting each other. We also pride ourselves on understanding the individual needs of each patient and tailoring their treatment plans to meet their specific circumstances. Our clients really value this approach, and we were delighted to be awarded Best Vet in County at the Best UK Vets Awards in 2023 and again in 2024. As part of the Vet Dynamics community, we always look for ways to improve and evolve. Winning the John Sheridan Award for our dedication to advanced business development and outstanding leadership at the Vet Dynamics Conference 2023 was a testament to our hard work.

We have two standalone clinics, based in Abergavenny and Ebbw Vale, which have both been refurbished over the last two years and now have separate cat and dog waiting areas and wards. We have all the usual kit, including digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house laboratory and laser therapy. We’re growing and have exciting plans to expand our Abergavenny clinic. This will allow us to increase the size of our theatre and prep area, add a dental suite with dental X-ray and three additional consult rooms, and have separate cat and dog wards.

About our team

Bernice moved to South Wales in 1997 and soon realised that she had found her home both in the hills of this beautiful area and at Riverside Vet Care. Becoming a partner after three years, Bernice went on to be the sole owner in 2015. Bernice loves being a vet, especially the variety that comes with being a GP and practice owner. Eight years ago, Helen Rippin became co-director, and together, this partnership between vet and RVN is creating a surgery where all the team members are encouraged to develop and do the job they love.

​We have an experienced team of 8 vets:

• Bernice enjoys being a GP vet and is particularly interested in surgery.
• Sian originally came to us as a locum and loved it so much that she decided to join the team permanently. Sian holds an AVP medicine certificate and particularly enjoys imaging.
• Louise has been with the practice since 2015 and is a member of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists. She has a postgraduate certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling and finds getting to the bottom of a pet's behaviour and giving the owner the tools needed to deal with it is very rewarding.
• Daisy qualified in 2020 and particularly enjoys being in theatre. She is studying towards her surgery certificate.
• Kristine works with us part-time and runs her own business, providing home-visiting veterinary service to clients in the area.
• Lluis graduated in 2017 and is so enthusiastic about all aspects of veterinary care, especially surgery. He is always the first to volunteer to handle emergency GDV.
• Catarina worked in large animal practice and management before pursuing small animal work two years ago. She is developing a medicine bias.
• Lia, our long-term locum, is an experienced ECC vet.  

What does our team say about us?

“The leadership team recognises their team as their greatest resource, and they’ve worked incredibly hard on workplace culture so everyone feels safe coming to work and safe talking and expressing their own views. They’ll be listened to and valued. I haven’t come across this degree of openness and growth mindset in practice before.” Sian MRCVS

“Joining Riverside Vets in Abergavenny means becoming part of an independent, community-focused practice that prioritises both animal welfare and professional growth. Unlike corporate practices, Riverside offers a personal touch, with a close-knit team dedicated to providing high-quality care. Our collaborative work environment ensures that every team member is valued and encouraged to contribute their expertise. As a local practice deeply embedded in the Abergavenny community, I feel that Riverside fosters strong relationships with pet owners and their beloved animals. Here, you will have the chance to build meaningful relationships with clients and their pets, making a real difference in their lives. Join us and be part of a team that truly cares about making a positive impact in the world of veterinary medicine.”  Tamsin, Receptionist

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The Role

We have a unique rota that truly allows us all to enjoy an amazing work-life balance whilst still being able to provide a great service to our clients.

Our full-time vets generally work a 4-day week, with just 1:6 weekends (8.30 am -6 pm), which initially sounds pretty standard. However, the weekends are counted as part of your 4-day week, so if you work a full weekend, you’ll only work two weekdays! That’s only 16 shifts a month! We’re flexible with the rota and are happy to discuss what works best for you and us, so if you want to split your weekend, we’re happy for you to work either Saturday or Sunday with three weekdays.

Rather than being on-call, our vets work one late shift a week (1 pm - 10.30 pm), running an evening surgery and fielding any emergencies. After 10.30 pm, calls are forwarded to Vets Now in Newport, who cover our out-of-hours. We keep the practice fully manned with both an RVN and receptionists on hand until we close every day, and we pay a higher rate for any hours worked after 6.30 pm or during the weekend. We will also arrange your late shift so you have a late start following your weekend.  

We want you to enjoy your job and not feel pressured for time, so we’ll always ensure you have time to make calls, complete any admin, and get a proper hour’s lunch break. We have an open-door policy so that rather than carrying any worries, we can talk it through and find ways to improve our systems and offer any additional support needed. We have a practice WhatsApp group for sharing questions and seeking advice. We also close the clinics one afternoon every month so we can have a practice meeting and our vets have time for clinical discussions.

We’re a supportive bunch who are always willing to share our knowledge and experience. Whether you’re looking to develop your skills in a particular area or focus on being a great GP, we are proud to support the ongoing development of our team through in-house mentoring and by supporting continued learning and certificates. Our Co-Director and RVN, Helen, has an anaesthesia and critical care nursing certificate and is now pursuing her Advanced Surgical Nursing diploma. We’re also happy to invest in new equipment to support your interests.

The social side

We love getting together outside of work and can often be found either making the most of our stunning surroundings by walking the dogs, cycling and riding or having a drink at the local pub. We also like to plan practice events with a difference; last Christmas, we enjoyed a Murder Mystery-themed party, and this year, we’re heading to a Spa hotel for a party night followed by relaxing treatments.

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The Local Area

We live in a beautiful area with the Black Mountains as the backdrop. Abergavenny is a town that has become a mecca for foodies, with plenty of gorgeous gastro pubs, inns and restaurants to try. As the gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park, it’s a great area to explore and enjoy outdoor activities, including walking, climbing, and cycling. We are also within easy reach of Cardiff, Hereford and Bristol so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

What we are offering

• Salary of £45,000 to £60,000 plus 8% employer pension contribution
• Generous CPD allowance, with certificates supported and funded
• Personal improvement allowance that can be used for your physical and mental wellbeing
• Future shareholder/ownership prospects available for the right person
• Professional fees paid for RCVS and VDS
• Private health insurance

If you want to learn more about us, please call for an informal chat or click the apply button now.