Additional equine vet required for expanding Independent ambulatory practice in Hampshire. Full time and part time applicants welcomed
We could have asked ChatGPT to write the most exciting, amazing advert but we do not believe in gimmicks. We think it Is more effective for our current and previous assistants to explain why they think working here is an enjoyable and clinically satisfying experience.
The physical and mental well-being of all the members of our team is of paramount importance to us. We believe that rested, happy vets are better clinicians and are more productive than stressed, exhausted ones. We make sure:
• No routine visits are booked in after 4.30pm giving you a chance to get home at a reasonable time to recover and enjoy life outside of the practice.
• If you end up having a late finish one day, then you will be assigned an early finish on another day.
• Each vet has their own a laptop and we allocate enough time to each visit to be able to invoice your work and write your clinical notes, stopping you from having to take your work home with you.
• Realistic travel time is allowed between each visit
• Lunch breaks are built into the diary when planning visits
• Our vets have over half a day a week set aside for admin tasks with no clinical calls booked in during this time.
• We have four brilliant office team members who do an amazing job of ensuring your diary runs smoothly and who help minimise the amount of non-clinical admin tasks our vets need to do.
• Every Wednesday morning, we hold a two hours vets’ clinical meeting with coffee and pastries to review and discuss cases with the rest of the team. This is a great opportunity for the vets to discuss clinical cases and seek the opinions of the other team members. On complex cases our vets work together and there is always someone to chat through a tricky case with.
• When you are on a week night duty you stop clinical calls at 4pm so you are available to respond to any late/emergency calls that may come in. This means on the evenings that you are not on duty you know you will be finished and, on your way home by 5.30pm.
• We stop all non-urgent clinical calls at 4pm on Fridays so our vets can clear any outstanding admin/lab reports/referrals etc. Then at 5pm the whole team down tools and have a glass of wine/soft drink and some nibbles in the office and shop talk is banned.
“Working as an equine vet in a practice I truly enjoy has been incredibly fulfilling. I am part of a fantastic and supportive team where collaboration and encouragement are part of daily life. Each of us has access to our own x-ray and ultrasound equipment, which allows us to fully work up cases to the best of our ability in the moment—something that really enhances both patient care and professional satisfaction. We are lucky to work with so many amazing clients who genuinely care about their horses, making the job even more rewarding. To top it off, we are based in the New Forest, a stunningly beautiful area that makes every day on the road feel like a privilege” Molly
Working as a smooth, cohesive team is vitally important to the success of the practice. Any new member of the practice must be a keen and enthusiast team player.
We have invested heavily in portable diagnostic equipment and believe well equipped vets can perform to the best of their ability when they have quick and easy access to the very latest technology. To this end every one of our vets always carry with them the following equipment;
• Their own HD portable DR x-ray unit and generator
• Their own HD portable ultrasound unit with tendon and abdominal probes
• Their own Lithmann CORE digital recording stethoscope
• Their own AliveCor KardiaMobile ECG
• Their own lactate machine to test blood and peritoneal fluid
• Their own Stableside SAA machine
Each vet also carries a full range of motorised dental equipment and a battery powered high pressure diastema flusher,
In the practice our vets can also access the following equipment;
• Our portable HD 3.3m Gastroscope and Upper Airway Endoscope unit
• Uniquely for an ambulatory practice we have our own Slit lamp and Tonopen
• A portable digital weighbridge
• Our HD Dental Oroscope system
• A Class 4 therapeutic laser
• Rapid PCR testing machine
We are a completely ambulatory practice and provide our clients with the wonderful benefit of being able to bring the very best specialists to their yards. We work closely with a visiting cardiologist, visiting ophthalmologist, visiting remedial farrier, two visiting surgeons and a visiting advanced dental expert. We only refer cases requiring a GA or an MRI/CT/Bone Scan.
The team have been fortunate enough to have been nominated for numerous vet and practice of the year awards and lucky enough to have been shortlisted for the national finals in both categories on more than one occasion. In 2023 we won the national title of “Equine Veterinary Practice of the Year” at the Equestrian Business Awards. As all these awards are nominated by our clients, we believe this reflects how highly the practice team is valued by them.
“Working at Celtic Equine is veterinary practice as it is meant to be. Fiercely independent, the practice puts equine welfare and high standards of veterinary care first, while simultaneously creating a positive, healthy, and sustainable working environment for the whole team. Vets get protected lunch breaks, travel and admin time. No calls are booked in later than 4.30pm so you always finish on time, protecting your work-life balance. The small team pulls together, with weekly clinical meetings for case discussion and support. The practice is incredibly supportive with CPD and equipment requests, as well as providing flexible working where needed. It is a pleasure to work at such a modern, friendly and independent practice” Chloe
Client continuity is at the core of the practice's mantra. We ensure total continuity of care by the same vet for the duration of a clinical case. We actively encourage our vets to form strong bonds with their clients and clients can request “their” vet when booking an appointment. As well as a generous basic salary we operate a very rewarding turnover-related bonus for our vets. When the practice is doing well, we believe our vets should be financially rewarded. In many months our vets will earn up to an additional third of their salary as a bonus.
The existing team has a huge amount of experience and expertise. From advanced dentistry and reproduction to internal medicine our vets have multiple post graduate qualifications. We are very lucky to have one of only four vets in the country who is a fully qualified equine nutritionist. We also have a highly qualified equine behaviorist in the practice. Another vet is an equine Chiropractor which has proved hugely popular with our clients. We are extremely proud to be an independent practice and intend to stay independent. This allows complete clinical freedom to our vets on every case and there may be partnership prospects for the right individual.
“Celtic Equine equips you ‘all the toys’, including battery-operated X-ray, ultrasound, motorised dental kit, head stands etc as standard for each vet. Additionally, they have more specialist equipment available to share between four vets such as slit lamps and tonopens, which was fabulous to have access to work cases up fully. The days are well planned, including a lunch break, and the last call is always booked to enable a timely finish. They are passionate about client service and education, and are always striving to improve the working lives of the staff working there. The team are friendly and helpful. I learnt so much from the visiting specialists and both internal and external CPD is encouraged. The once weekly meetings allow everyone to be familiar with ongoing clinical cases and to compare approaches. Celtic taught me so much and will be a fantastic place to work for a lucky person” Kirsty
We need someone with at least 2+ years equine experience and proficiency in routine equine dentistry. We are looking for someone who wants to be part of our friendly, social team, and we will make sure you get to enjoy being the best vet that you can be with all the support, equipment and rewards that we provide. Full time or part time applicants considered.
A full time position would include:
• A day off in lieu after a weekend on duty
• Fully equipped practice vehicle provided
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• VDS, BEVA and RCVS memberships paid
• Private medical insurance
• Generous CPD allowance
• Starting salary of £40k plus depending on level of experience
• Generous turnover linked bonus scheme
If you would like find out more about the position and the practice please give Alan, the practice owner a call on 07827318408 or send your CV with a covering letter to alanhough@yahoo.co.uk
Please disregard our current website which is outdated. We are in the process of launching our new website very soon. Our Facebook page will give you a better feel of who we are and what we do.