Vet Nursing Apprenticeship

Our Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship Programme is in high demand and usually we are oversubscribed, however we have a space available for this coming January.

We are keen to speak with anybody 18 years or older, who hold at least five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English, Maths, and a science subject. No experience necessary - we do all our own training.

We work with mostly Bicton College or Bath College for our veterinary nursing apprenticeships. During their apprenticeship, students spend one day at college and 4 days here in practice developing their practical and theoretical skills. You will be responsible for finding your way to and from college each week, as well as being responsible for your coursework and progress report, or 'log', being completed on time.

We cannot stress enough the difficulty of this course – we have heard of very many candidates starting this course and not being able to complete it! The volume of textbooks, the long hours, the continuous assessments and logging/reports, the emotional and physical strain, just to name a few. For this reason, please only apply if you deem yourself hard working, resilient, professional, and with great communication.

Application Process:

Successful applicants will move onto the first stage of the interview process - an in-person interview with our Managing Director and our Head Nurse, who would be responsible for your training/development whilst on placement. Those successful in interview will then move onto stage 2 of the interview process - joining us in a trial morning, for the candidate to get a better impression of the role and its requirements.

Step 1 - Animal Care Assistant :

The role begins with 3 months on a temporary full-time employed basis here, acting as an Animal Care Assistant under the supervision of our Head Nurse. This role would be minimum wage. We would carry out a thorough review of the candidate’s aptitude, communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, empathy, and teamwork, before determining whether they have the skills and determination required before enrolling them on the Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship. This role would be 42.5 hours per week, and a 1-in-4 Saturday morning shift on a rolling rota pattern.

Step 2 - Apprenticeship:

The successful candidate will then start the apprenticeship on a new temporary full-time contract for the length of the course, which is 2.5/3 years, here at Black Rock Vets under the guidance of our clinical coach. The apprentice will be paid the apprenticeship wage for the duration of the course. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, there may be the ability to remain with the company in a permanent Veterinary Nursing position.

42.5 hours per week, and a 1-in-4 Saturday morning shift on a rolling rota pattern.



Part-Time/Full-Time Veterinary Surgeon

Here at Black Rock Vets, we have a great opportunity for a newly graduated/experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our well-established family-run small animal veterinary practice. We value a healthy work-life balance and appreciate this is not always possible in the veterinary world, however we create flexible rota patterns, allowing that important 'down-time' or family time. We ensure we are well-staffed to provide the time necessary to train and develop new team members until they are confident in all areas.

Job Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess a passion for animal care and welfare, demonstrating both technical proficiency and compassion in their practice. This role involves diagnosing and treating a variety of animal health issues, performing surgical procedures, and providing guidance to pet owners on the best practices for their animals' health.

Duties

Conduct thorough examinations of animals to assess their health and diagnose conditions.

Perform surgical procedures, including routine spays, neuters, and more complex surgeries as required.

Administer anaesthesia and monitor patients during surgical procedures to ensure their safety and comfort.

Interpret laboratory results and utilise diagnostic imaging to inform treatment plans.

Provide post-operative care and follow-up consultations to ensure successful recovery.

Educate pet owners on preventative care, nutrition, and behaviour management.

Maintain accurate medical records for all patients treated in accordance with veterinary regulations.

Collaborate with nurses and support staff to ensure high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

A recognised veterinary degree (BVSc or equivalent) with current registration with the relevant veterinary regulatory body.

Proven experience in a clinical setting, particularly in surgery and emergency care is highly desirable.

Knowledge of laboratory procedures and diagnostics related to veterinary medicine.

Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with pet owners and team members.

Ability to work well under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.

A compassionate approach towards animal welfare combined with a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Start date - Now onwards

Salary - up to £43,000+/annum depending on experience

CPD allowance - £1500

Holiday - 6 weeks plus Bank Holidays

Rota -

9am-5:30pm 4 days a week

1 in 3 weekends - 9am-1pm Saturday morning consults, and then on-call until 7pm Saturday evening. Sunday on-call 8am until 7pm. On-call is very quiet! Generally a couple of call outs over a weekend maximum.

No on-call duty (apart from when covering the on-call vet's holiday, which will be divided amongst the vets)