Veterinary Surgeon - Haywards Heath, West Sussex

Join the Best Vets in West Sussex 2021!
 
We are a 100% small animal, independently owned multi-award winning practice, with no OOH.

Dr J Mewes MRCVS opened The Mewes Vets 25 years ago, in 1996, and is expecting to stay independent for at least the next ten years.
 
Equipment at the practice:
3 consulting rooms
one clean and one dirty operating theatre, both with modern operating lights
2 small hospitals
Digital radiography
Dental radiography
New ultrasound machine
Sevoflurane anaesthesia
Visiting scanner, endoscopist, laser acupuncturist and orthopaedic surgeon.
 
Our building is a converted Victorian property, completely refurbished in April 20, with very hygienic standards. Clients describe it as friendly, homely.

Haywards Heath is 20 minutes north of Brighton, 15 minutes south of Gatwick airport, and 50 minutes by train to central London.
 
Locally we have a good mix of the urban and rural. The South Downs National Park is on the doorstep and separates us from the excitement of cosmopolitan Brighton, with its Pavilion, Theatres, festivals, pier and beach. We are surrounded by pretty farmland with extensive dog walks and riding options, both equine and pedal powered. Within easy reach of central London and the rest of the world via Gatwick, yet peaceful and spacious when at home. The clinic is situated in central Haywards Heath, within walking distance of the shops, several gyms and the station, but also local woods. It backs onto a pleasant park, good for fresh air at lunch time.

We currently have 3.5 FVEs. We need to replace a colleague of 14 years, who is following her dream to take early retirement and retire abroad. There will remain 4 very experienced vets in the team, who job-share.
 
We also employ 8 RVNs (1 on maternity leave, two part-time) plus 3 SVNs, one practice manager, and one receptionist, increasing to 3 receptionists shortly.
 
We encourage our vets to gain postgraduate qualifications. I have both GPCert(SAM) and CertVR, and Mrs Dyas has GPCert(FelP), and 3 of us are OVs. Should our new recruit wish to take a certificate to further their career this would be vigorously supported, and rewarded once achieved.
 
Referee for the practice: all current employees. Feel free to ask to talk to any of the team about working at The Mewes. We are also RCVS accredited.
 
We are looking for a colleague who would like to settle down and build relationships with our lovely pet owners. Our new colleagues’ ambitions need to fit with ours. This is more important than experience.
 
There will be occasional sole charge on a Saturday morning, or for an hour or two in the evenings. However, support and second cover can easily be arranged if appropriate, until the recruit feels confident.
 
Attributes of person required
empathy for the patient, and their owner, as well as for colleagues.
excellent communication skills.
ability to apply skills learnt in a practical GP situation.
ability to make care plans based on the patient’s medical needs and the client’s budget.  
ability to think for themselves, not follow a care plan sheet.
a gentle manner with patients.
 
Normal clinic hours:
        Monday to Thursday: 8.30am - 7.30pm
        Friday 8.30 am - 6.30pm
        Saturday 8.30am - 12.30.
But note, these may change, subject to successful recruitment, and coronavirus.
 
Out of hours arrangements:
Referred to another clinic 20 minutes away. This role does not have any OOH.
 
Number of hours to be worked per week:
To be negotiated. Full time would be 36 hours per week, possibly 40 by negotiation, plus one in three Saturday mornings, possibly one in four by negotiation. This would include up to two late evening clinics, (minimum of one) and two early starts per week.

Part-time applicants would be considered, precise hours to be discussed, but at least one evening clinic per week is required of all staff, and Saturday mornings.

Out of hours payment/bonuses:
We pay the usual hourly rate for any time worked over the contracted hours per week.
I regularly offer whole team bonuses.

Part-time colleagues are paid according to the hours agreed. Note that I pay over-time as an hourly addition to the agreed salary.

5 weeks’ paid holiday per year, paid CPD and memberships.
 
Neither a car nor accommodation are provided with this role, but assistance to find these could be cheerfully provided, if required.
 
Additional information:

Our focus is on being great GPs for pets.

We prioritise care of each other, second only to care of our patients.

We practise ISFM principles and kindness first in all things.

We have a one-pet-one-vet policy, meaning that each vet is positively encouraged to follow through their own cases long term, in sickness and in health.

We encourage our RVNs to perform all procedures that they are trained for. Before coronavirus it was rare for a vet to need to scale or polish teeth, take a radiograph, or blood sample or place a cannula. The vets create the treatment plans, the RVNs nurse the patients.

Before coronavirus we had a strong well-pet care programme, particularly for geriatric cats. We need an extra colleague to help us get back on track with this, and to deal with our expanding client list.

We have a large number of caring, well bonded clients. Around 60% of our pets are on Plan. Many are insured, meaning we can give the pets the veterinary care they deserve.

I do not insist that my vets perform veterinary medicine ‘my way’. I ask each of my vets to make the best decision for each pet in that moment, taking into consideration its whole circumstances, including its owner’s budget.

We are a training practice with a very high level of success in assisting our students to pass exams and to qualify. Many subsequently become employees.

We have a team of people who are well motivated and happy. Many of our staff are extremely long-serving. I encourage each team member to be the best they can be, and to follow their own dreams and goals.

We have won multiple awards for our customer service, including Best Vets in West Sussex 2021, and Top 25 Best UK Vets in 2019 and 2020, awarded by VetHelpDirect based on real 4 and 5 star online testimonials.

I intend to stay independent for at least the next decade. Join us and stretch your wings, doing veterinary practice for all the reasons that you joined the profession.

Preferred start date: when convenient. We can wait for the ideal candidate.

To submit your application click the apply button.