Small Animal OOH Vet and Weekend Vet

About the Role

Bishopton Vets is recruiting both an OOH Vet and a Weekend Vet for its Ripon hospital in North Yorkshire. The practice is open to full-time or part-time working patterns, and the weekend rota could include regular Saturdays, Sundays, both days or a full weekend every few weeks.

This is a small animal role for vets who are comfortable managing their own caseload and want the support of an experienced wider team. For overnight OOH work, you’ll be covering emergency care and hospital inpatients, with an RVN on site at all times. Morning and evening handovers are part of the OOH setup, and on-site accommodation is available if needed.

The hospital is described as fully equipped, with an on-site lab, ultrasound, scopes and complete surgical kit. If you are interested in a mix of OOH and weekend work, the practice is happy to discuss a pattern that suits you.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide emergency care for small animal patients during OOH cover.
• Oversee hospital inpatients overnight.
• Use your clinical judgement to make key decisions during the OOH shift.
• Cover weekend consulting or out-of-hours work depending on the rota agreed.
• Work alongside the wider team, including an RVN on site at all times overnight.
• Take part in morning and evening handovers for the OOH team.

Requirements

• Qualified small animal vet.
• Ideally a couple of years’ postgraduate experience.
• Confidence to manage your own caseload.
• Motivation and a strong focus on excellent patient care.
• Willingness to discuss either OOH work, weekend work, or a combination of both.

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 pro rata, dependent on experience and role combination.
• Full-time or part-time options.
• Annual CPD pro rata and a generous CPD allowance.
• RCVS, VDS and BVA fees paid, plus one additional membership.
• Private medical insurance and a medical cash plan.
• The People’s Pension with 5% employee and 3% employer contributions.
• Perkbox rewards, recognition and discounts.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing initiatives.
• Team pet discount scheme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• On-site accommodation available if needed.

About the Practice

Bishopton Vets is an independent practice that first opened in 1943 and remains locally owned and run. Its Ripon hospital is RCVS accredited and serves as the main hub for the practice, with 24/7 emergency care and referral services including orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, cardiology, ophthalmology and laparoscopy.

The wider group also supports branch surgeries in Thirsk, Northallerton, Easingwold and Pateley Bridge. In the small animal department, the practice is an ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic and Zero Pain accredited. Bishopton is also a member of XLVets.