VETERINARY SURGEON (posted 14.5.25)
OUR PRACTICE: Two Rivers Vets in Biggar and Peebles is a proudly independent mixed practice looking for an additional experienced veterinary surgeon as we move to fantastic new premises in Peebles this summer. Our team has a strong focus on providing excellent client service, continually striving to improve our clinical standards and quality of patient care while remaining down to earth and offering sensible advice and affordable options for our loyal client base.
Our eight vets include 25 year + experienced vets happy with all small animal, equine and farm work, mixed practice vets with a preference for small animal or equine work (one studying for a certificate), an experienced consulting-only vet and a recent graduate. We have 6 fully qualified RVNs, and as a VN training practice we usually have student nurses too. The practice is part of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, and we are Scottish Living Wage Accredited.
With the move to our new Peebles surgery, we are keen to build on the high standards of care we deliver, and are looking forward to expanding the range of services we can offer to clients. The practice registers approximately 60 new clients per month, many moving to us from surrounding corporate practices, so we are delighted to have the opportunity to continue to build our client base, and excited to be able to offer vastly improved facilities to both clients and their pets.
As a practice we are friendly and welcoming, and understand the importance of a creating a supportive environment in maintaining a happy and enthusiastic team. We play to the strengths and interests of all our vets, making a fair rota with a mix of consults, medical work-ups, surgery, equine visits and farm work to align with individual interests. We are as flexible as possible with requests for weekends off, holidays, changes of days/hours etc, and understand the importance of work-life balance (which we appreciate looks different for everyone). We welcome input at regular vet meetings, and are keen to support requests for new equipment or CPD, including funding a certificate.
THE ROLE: We are looking for an additional vet with at least 4 - 5 years experience in clinical practice, who is confident with all small animal consults and routine and emergency surgery in a first opinion setting. The position could be either 100% small animal, based mainly in our new surgery in Peebles, or mixed with some equine and farm work and split between our Biggar and Peebles surgeries. A particular interest in small animal medicine and in-patient care, imaging, or a preference for small animal surgical cases could fit with our current team.
We would also be keen to discuss the possibility of a clinical lead position for a more experienced small animal vet, to help us explore the opportunities created by the move to our fabulous new building and to continue the development of our Peebles team. The successful candidate for this role would have considerable experience in small animal practice and be able to add to the services we are currently able to offer, whether this is with a surgical or medical bias. Certificate holders, or those interested in or studying for a certificate are very welcome to apply. Previous leadership or management experience would be an advantage for this position.
The successful applicant for either role will have excellent communication skills, and the ability to quickly develop a rapport with clients and colleagues alike. A positive outlook and ‘can-do’ attitude are essential, along with enthusiasm for delivering high standards of service to clients and compassionate care of their animals. While having the confidence to work independently, they will be happy to both ask for help and advice and to offer support to all members of the practice team where they can, taking a fully collaborative approach to patient care.
The position offered is full time, working 37.5 hours over 4.5 days, though part-time hours might also be considered. Our working day is 8.30am until 5pm, 6pm or 7pm on a rota basis, with one 1pm finish per week. Lunchbreaks are one hour (unpaid), and we do our best to build a reasonable amount of admin time into the diary daily for all vets.
We cover our own out-of-hours, and participation in our 1 in 6 on-call rota (including Saturday morning consults) would be required. The successful applicant would ideally have some experience with horses and farm animals and be able to take a full share of this rota, but for a 100% small animal position we would arrange a second vet for equine and farm calls. There are two full days off in lieu of working a weekend as we try to maintain a good work-life balance – weekends can be very busy or you might have nothing at all!
WHAT WE OFFER:
full time 4.5 days (37.5 hours) per week, part time hours may be considered
full time salary range £40-55K (including extra payments for nights on call and call-outs)
up to £65k for a clinical lead position (including payments for nights on call and call-outs)
1 in 6 out-of-hours rota for nights and weekends (with 2 full days off after a weekend on call)
30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 days with long service) including bank holidays
autoenrolment pension scheme with 4% employer contribution (increasing to 5% after 12 months if you wish)
private health insurance with Vitality after 6 months
enhanced maternity and sick pay policies (increasing benefit with long service)
RVCS, VDS and one other membership paid eg BSAVA, BVA, BEVA, BVCA
healthy CPD budget by negotiation up to and including funding for a certificate
significantly discounted/cost price care for own pets
VETERINARY RECEPTIONIST (posted 25.4.25)
Two Rivers Veterinary Practice is looking for an additional receptionist who can work in either Biggar or Peebles surgery, on a full time or part time basis Monday - Friday plus a share of Saturday mornings. The practice is well-known for its professional, caring and welcoming attitude, and the successful applicant will be cheerful, friendly, compassionate and enthusiastic, with a genuine interest in helping our clients and their pets, a real 'people person'.
Previous experience in a face-to-face customer or client care role is essential. Prior knowledge of working in a veterinary practice would be a distinct advantage, with the ideal candidate having several years previous experience as a Veterinary Receptionist.
In addition to welcoming clients, answering the telephone, booking appointments, taking payments and dispensing medication, the successful candidate will have responsibility for some practice admin, may be required to help vets and nurses with animal care on occasion, and will be expected to help with cleaning and disinfection of client areas of the surgery.
Applicants should be organised, efficient, reliable, and able to remain calm and keep smiling under pressure. The position requires the ability to multi-task and can be stressful at times. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written (using email and social media) are essential. Teamwork is vitally important for this position, but the successful applicant must also be able to work independently and use their initiative to problem-solve when required.
A high degree of computer literacy is essential. Previous experience of Robovet would be ideal, though full training on our practice management software will be given. Previous experience of veterinary practice admin, for example processing insurance claims, invoicing and Pet Health Club management, would also be an advantage.
What we offer:
25 - 40 hours per week, including some early shifts from 8am and evening shifts until 7pm in both Peebles and Biggar plus Saturday mornings on a rota basis
£12.60 - £13.60 per hour
30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 days with long service) including bank holidays
autoenrolment pension scheme with 4% employer contribution (increasing to 5% after 12 months if you wish)
enhanced maternity and sick pay policies (increasing benefit with long service)
BVRA membership, working through their courses to become an Associate Veterinary Receptionist (funded by the practice)
significantly discounted/cost price care for own pets
Please send a covering letter with your application, outlining the reasons you'd like to work at Two Rivers Vets and why you think you would be good fit for the position.
VETERINARY CARE ASSISTANT (posted 25.4.25)
Two Rivers Veterinary Practice is looking for two Animal Care Assistants to start this summer, one to work in our Biggar surgery and one to fill a new ACA role in our brand new purpose built premises in Peebles.
Our new ACAs will join a team of 8 vets and 6 RVNs to assist in providing excellent service to our lovely clients and high standards of care to our patients. The position will involve tidying, cleaning and disinfection in all ares of the surgery, sterilisation of surgical instruments, washing and drying bedding and cleaning kennels, assisting vets and nurses with patient care and treatments, walking, feeding and helping care for inpatients, stocking up all areas of the practice with medicines and consumables, and general admin and reception duties as required.
The successful candidates will be punctual, reliable, and hard working with a cheery and positive 'can-do' attitude. ACAs must able to communicate well when working as part of the team, and take the initiative when working on their own. Relevant experience of handling a variety of animals is an advantage. Previous experience of working in a veterinary environment would be useful, but is not essential as full training will be given.
What we offer:
both positions are full time working 35 - 40 hours per week over 4 or 5 days Monday to Friday, plus Saturday mornings on a rota basis
£12.60 per hour (Scottish Living Wage)
30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 days with long service) including bank holidays
autoenrolment pension scheme with 4% employer contribution (increasing to 5% after 12 months if you wish)
enhanced maternity and sick pay policies (increasing benefit with long service)
significantly discounted/cost price care for own pets
Please send a covering letter with your application, outlining the reasons you'd like to work at Two Rivers Vets and why you think you would be good fit for the position.
