Job description: Weekend Day Hospital Vet  

Location: Village Vets Dundrum/Ashbourne
Reports to: Hospital Manager
Salary: 70-75k  

Looking to make a difference with your weekends? Join our dynamic and supportive team in a busy 24-hour veterinary hospital. We’re seeking a dedicated Veterinary Surgeon with a keen interest in inpatient care and surgery to help manage a varied and rewarding caseload. 

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, hard-working, and a team player. In Village Vets we strive to provide the best standard of care to our patients and the best service to our clients. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of our brand new Out of Hours emergency care service, allowing us to provide 24/7 care to our patients. 

This is a weekend only position/3-day week/12-hour day/day shift 

At Village Vets, we are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of veterinary care to our patients and providing exceptional support to their owners.  

You will play a pivotal role in providing 24hr care, and stabilising and treating patients while upholding the values of excellence and empathy that define Village Vets. By working collaboratively with a skilled and supportive team, you will ensure the well-being of our patients, build trust with their families, and contribute to advancing the overall standard of care within our practice. 

Key Responsibilities of a Hospital Veterinary Surgeon: 

Patient Assessment and Triage: 

• Rapidly assess incoming emergency cases to prioritise treatment based on the severity of the condition. 

• Perform thorough physical examinations and develop initial diagnostic and treatment plans. 

Critical Decision-Making: 

• Make prompt decisions in life-threatening situations, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients. 

• Evaluate risks and benefits to determine the most appropriate interventions. 

Emergency Procedures and Treatments: 

• Perform procedures, such as wound management, stabilisation of trauma patients and surgical interventions. 

• Administer emergency therapies, including blood transfusions, oxygen therapy, and pain management. 

Diagnostic Workups: 

• Perform and interpret diagnostic tests, including blood work, imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound), and urinalysis. 

• Develop differential diagnoses and adjust treatment plans based on test results. 

Surgical Expertise: 

• Perform emergency surgeries, such as exploratory laparotomies, GDV surgery, gastrotomy and enterotomies, splenectomy, and trauma repair. 

Intensive Patient Management: 

• Oversee and guide the care of critically ill patients requiring continuous monitoring and support. 

• Design and implement individualized treatment protocols, including fluid therapy, nutritional support, and medication administration. 

• Place and manage feeding tubes (oesophagostomy or nasogastric) to ensure adequate nutrition for patients unable to eat. 

• Insert and monitor chest drains for the management of pleural effusion or pneumothorax. 

• Place and manage urinary catheters to monitor output and address issues such as urinary obstruction. 

Client Communication and Support: 

• Communicate complex medical information and treatment plans to pet owners in a compassionate and clear manner. 

• Provide emotional support and guidance to clients facing difficult decisions regarding their pet’s care. 

Team Leadership and Collaboration: 

• Lead the veterinary team, delegating tasks effectively and ensuring cohesive team performance. 

• Collaborate with nurses and ACAs to deliver comprehensive patient care. 

Record Keeping and Documentation: 

• Maintain detailed and accurate medical records for all patients. 

• Document diagnostic findings, treatments, and client communications for legal and continuity of care purposes. 

Ethical and Compassionate Decision-Making: 

• Balance clinical decisions with ethical considerations, focusing on the welfare and quality of life of patients. 

• Offer humane end-of-life care and support when appropriate. 

While at work all staff are required to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions & co-operate with Village Vets policies and procedures.