Small Animal Vet – Permanent Role
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
Come and join Hook Norton Veterinary Group - a large, reputable, independent practice with a dedicated night team, superb remuneration package, and structured career pathway for all. Offering both hospital and branch work, all sites are situated in stunning locations across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
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
- Generous staff discount scheme
- 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: careers@hooknortonvets.co.uk
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.
Location: Hook Norton Hospital