Looking for mixed practice life in a charming coastal town? Join a four-vet family practice where you'll work a sensible 4-day week, enjoy shared OOH cover, and even have access to a practice beach hut stocked with paddleboards and wine.
One night on call per week and one weekend in four. Small animal OOH cases transferred to dedicated OOH provider Friday evening to Monday morning. Equine emergency cover 24/7 provided in-house. Less experienced vets receive second-on-call backup.
You'll join The Beck Veterinary Practice, a well-established independent four-vet mixed practice in coastal Whitby, North Yorkshire. The role carries a strong small animal focus (approximately 85% of caseload) with a genuine opportunity to develop equine skills, particularly lameness investigations, alongside routine dentistry, vaccinations, and general equine care. The practice also works closely with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, treating marine wildlife, and has strong connections with the local wildlife sanctuary.
This is a full-time permanent position with a refreshingly manageable schedule: a four-day working week (8.30 am to 6.30 pm) with a guaranteed day off. Your day is structured to balance clinical work with proper admin time and a genuine lunch break. Consultations finish at 6.15 pm, meaning you're rarely held up beyond close of business. The on-call rota is shared across both small animal and equine services, with one night on call per week and one weekend in four. Small animal out-of-hours cases transfer to a dedicated OOH provider from Friday evening through to Monday morning, whilst the practice continues its own 24/7 equine emergency cover. Less experienced vets receive second-on-call backup from the clinical team.
Whitby itself is a picturesque coastal town famous for its 199 steps, gothic abbey, award-winning fish and chips, and direct access to outdoor pursuits including paddleboarding, surfing, and the North York Moors National Park.
The Beck Veterinary Practice is a family-run independent practice with a proud seven-decade history dating back to 1946 when it was founded by Jimmy Beck and his wife Shirley. The main practice relocated to its current purpose-built Whitby location in 1997, with a branch surgery in Loftus established shortly after. Current owner Simon Beck joined his father's practice in 1983, and his daughter Libby, a fully qualified veterinary surgeon, now serves as clinical director. The practice is managed by Simon's wife Sue, with brother-in-law Toby as assistant manager.
The purpose-built Whitby facility is comprehensively equipped with a separate cat and dog area, digital and dental x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, and multi-parameter monitoring. Equine services are supported by equine digital radiography (including dental x-ray capability) and modern dental equipment with rasping facilities. The team includes vets with specialist interests in dermatology, orthopaedics, pig medicine, and soft-tissue surgery. The practice has recently extended its building and welcomes a diverse, international team. It has supported the Homes for Ukraine programme and actively mentors newly qualified vets and international candidates preparing for RCVS examinations.
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