Our clinic is busy – but in a good way.
Not so busy that it’s unsustainable, just nicely busy so the days don’t drag and you feel like you’ve made a worthwhile difference when you go home at the end of your shift. Yes, we have the odd hectic day, but we also have the odd quiet day to make up for it. Contrary to popular belief, corporates are not just vaccination and neutering clinics. Our clinic gets more than its fair share of juicy surgeries, as well as weird and wonderful medical cases.
We have 20-minute vet consults as standard for any new condition, blood tests, primary vaccination courses and medication reviews. We believe that to do a good job you need the time to do so. Simple follow-ups and boosters tend to get 10 minutes as most of the time we feel that is long enough but if when booking the owner mentions any concerns, then they get 20 mins too. Euthanasias are now allocated 30 minutes because who wants to feel rushed and have to rush a client at that time?
Our rota is sustainable
Full-time vets work four days a week with a full day off. This can be a rolling day off or a fixed day if you prefer. We have just reduced our Saturday rota to a 1:4 from a 1:3 as we believe that is a much more reasonable ask. We also factor long weekends off into the rota so you get the chance to have a decent break without having to use up your holiday allowance.
We help each other out, every day
Whilst case continuity is encouraged, for both our development as professionals and to improve the relationships we have with the clients and their pets, let’s face it there’s always that case that just doesn’t go to plan and you haven’t got the foggiest what to do next! At this point “ask the audience” and the other vets will gladly give the pet a once over if you want, grab textbooks, formularies, CPD notes, ask their own vet friends and help you come up with a plan.
I know a lot of practices think their nurses and front of house team are amazing but ours really are a cut above the rest. Our nursing team have that knack for restraining an animal without actually restraining it. They just cuddle and reassure them and they just sit there whilst you do what you need to do. That’s not to say that they will let you get bitten or scratched. Absolutely not! They’ve got your back: they just will not scruff, pin or manhandle any animal when time and patience will achieve the same end goal.
They are also super organised and know what you need before you need it. You’ll head out to prep with the animal you need to blood sample and your tubes and syringes/needles will be ready waiting. Your cannulas and comfy bed will be ready waiting for your PTS. If you’re really lucky your lab forms will get done too!
The front of house team work unbelievably hard and do everything they can to make the vets’ lives easier. From the 8 am cuppa ready waiting in your room to phoning clients back and relaying messages for you to checking you’re OK and don’t need a hug after an upsetting PTS, they are fab and we love and respect them.
Our location
Leicestershire is the very centre of the UK, so you’re never very far from anywhere or anyone. The transport links are second to none with excellent road, train and bus connections. You can be in London in an hour on the train; Birmingham and Nottingham in less than an hour in the car. Several major international airports are within easy reach too, such as East Midlands, Birmingham and Luton.
Leicester itself is a really compact city and the traffic is never that bad even at rush hour. You can get across the city at any time of day without too many issues. It’s a truly multicultural and diverse city. It’s really friendly and generally very safe. Accommodation to buy and rent is affordable and good value for money. Shopaholics will be more than satisfied with both the city centre shops and boutiques and out of town retail parks.
There is a really good restaurant scene and we have loads of both chain and independent restaurants in the city and some great gastropubs in the surrounding villages. If high-end dining is your thing, we’ve even got a few Michelin starred restaurants nearby. There’s also a good range of pubs, cocktail bars and nightclubs which we like to explore from time to time!
The city centre has some lovely parks but is surrounded by absolutely beautiful countryside which really surprises people who’ve never visited before – perfect for dog walking! And come to think of it, just about any outdoor pursuit!
Culture-wise, in Leicester you’re spoilt for choice. We have renowned theatres, music venues, museums, loads of annual festivals and are home to top-flight sports teams such as Leicester Tigers RFU and Leicester City FC. So plenty to keep you, your family or friends occupied outside of work on your well-earned days off!
