Small Animal Vet

XLVets group; Hook Norton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A trusted independent veterinary practice in Hook Norton is seeking a Small Animal Vet to join their dedicated team. This role involves managing a varied caseload in a supportive environment, offering extensive clinical freedom and professional development opportunities. The ideal candidate should have at least 3 years of experience, a proactive attitude, and a passion for animal care. Benefits include a competitive salary, generous holiday, and a structured career pathway.

Benefits

Competitive salary

7 weeks holiday

Private Medical Insurance

Access to CPD funding

Qualifications

• Genuine team player willing to support colleagues.
• Appreciates the quieter moments to share interesting cases.
• Enjoys a busy environment and values opportunities for learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standards of care to a large and loyal client base.
• Manage a varied caseload, expanding surgical and medical experience.
• Formulate clinical plans with clinical freedom.

Skills

Team player

High clinical aspirations

Passion for animals

Ability to support colleagues

Education

Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Small Animal Vet Opportunity - Hook Norton, Oxfordshire

Location: Hook Norton Hospital and Branch sites, Oxfordshire.

Hours: 4 days per week (8:00 am – 6.30 pm) – other working pattern options considered

OOH: currently 1:10 full weekends (day shifts) and occasional Saturday morning consult

Time off: Monday morning off after full weekend; full day off after occasional night shift

About the Role

Small Animal Vets at Hook Norton Veterinary Group are typically based at the busy hospital in Hook Norton, with some sole charge at local branches. The role offers a fair share of consults, operations, hospital, and ambulatory shifts, all supported by extensive nursing and reception teams.

Consults are 15 minutes, with consideration for complex cases and administration, all supported by a dedicated Small Animal Coordinator. Rotas are designed to be realistic and sustainable. Once the shift ends, vets hand over to the dedicated in-house night team, who look after inpatients and emergencies overnight.

The practice has protocols for best practice but also respects and encourages clinical freedom to formulate and carry out individual clinical plans while working alongside a progressive and open-minded team. Hook Norton Veterinary Group takes pride in providing a high standard of care and enables and empowers its vets to do the same.

With a large and loyal client base, the successful candidate will enjoy a full and varied caseload, allowing expansion of surgical and medical experience. The practice supports professional development and recognises special interest areas, along with mentoring from internal staff and a career pathway designed to support long-term goals.

Clinical Team Includes:

19 Small Animal Vets (including 4 Senior/Director level)

17 Registered Veterinary Nurses, 5 Students, and several Assistants

A fully staffed in-house laboratory, dedicated pharmacy, and dispensary team

About the Candidate

The ideal candidate is a genuine team player and a real ambassador for the practice. They take pride in doing their job to the best of their ability and are willing to step in to support colleagues when needed. They thrive in a busy environment, enjoy the satisfaction of a great day’s work, and value opportunities to learn and develop their skills.

Equally, they appreciate the quieter moments to share interesting cases, catch up with colleagues, and further their CPD.

The successful candidate will bring:

Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar Small Animal vet role

Full UK driving licence and own transport (the practice is in a beautiful rural setting)

A collaborative, can-do attitude with high clinical aspirations

A genuine passion for animals, farming, equine care, and country life

What’s in It for the Successful Candidate

Competitive salary, experience-dependent

Funded RCVS membership and VDS cover

7 weeks holiday (increasing with service)

Private Medical Insurance, comprehensive wellbeing programme, and active social calendar

Structured career pathway – from graduate to director level

CPD: 1 week/£1,500 per year plus funding and support for Certificates

Access to all XLVets resources and initiatives

About Hook Norton Veterinary Group

The practice is owned and managed by six practising Vet Directors who are fully immersed in daily operations, making quick decisions without red tape. Hook Norton Veterinary Group is a well-established, trusted independent practice with a great local reputation. It is also proud to be one of the founding members of XLVets, a nationwide community of independent practices working together to share knowledge and support.

How to Apply

If the Small Animal vet role sounds appealing, candidates should send their CV and a short covering letter (including preferred working hours/pattern, notice period, and salary expectations) to: [e-mail]

For an informal chat in the first instance, call 01608 730501

Visit the website or follow Hook Norton Veterinary Group on social media (Facebook and Instagram) to see what life is really like at the practice.