We would like to hear from enthusiastic potential new colleagues, looking for exciting development opportunities and progression within our well established Independent Small Animal Veterinary Hospital, based in the county town of Bedford.

We are passionate about providing the highest standards of care and customer service and are equally passionate about developing our team.

Salary FTE: £37,500 to £70,000+
Person specification
Successful candidates must be:
• Keen to develop and progress their general practitioner small animal skills, have natural warmth and empathy and get a genuine sense of satisfaction from helping others
• Self-motivated and dedicated but has fun too
• Keen to provide a high standard of veterinary care
• A problem-solver who recognises when to ask for help and has the confidence to do so
• Able to show natural resilience and stays calm under pressure
• Able to remain patient, flexible and shows a fair degree of courage
• Someone who would like to contribute to the development of our business
• A strong team member and is prepared to help colleagues
• Proactive and creative in coming forward with new ideas
• Fully registered with the RCVS and eligible to work in the UK

Employee benefits
• Permanent full or part time contracts
• 3-5 days per week
• VDS cover
• Assigned VetGDP mentor for new grads
• RCVS annual renewal fees
• 28 days of annual leave including Bank Holidays, pro rata, plus 1 additional day of holiday for every 2 full years completed (up to a maximum of 5 days)
• Company Pension
• Enhanced maternity/paternity package
• Incentive Bonus of £2,000 for independent applicants (not via agency) (terms & conditions apply).
• BUPA Health Insurance – subs paid for after 5yrs continuous employment
• Up to £20 per month towards a gym subscription
• Up to £20 per month towards pet insurance
• Discounted professional veterinary fees
• 5 days CPD per year, up to the value of £1500 (pro-rata) – certificates and further development encouraged and supported

To register your interest, please send your CV and cover letter to Maxine Ketley HR & Communications Manager: maxine@scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk

Posted: February 2025

About us
Scott Veterinary Clinic was first established in 1955. We are an independent RCVS accredited Small Animal Veterinary Hospital, with a team of approximately 50 employees across 3 sites.

Our purpose built Hospital is based in the picturesque county town of Bedford, with great road and rail links to London, Cambridge and the north.

We see a diverse and varied caseload here, including exotics and have great facilities for accommodating a wide range of species. We are an Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Practice, a Vetsure Graduate Friendly Practice, with a number of our experienced vets qualified as VetGDP Advisors.

Our knowledgeable, friendly reception team also work to BVRA standards, with many of them in receipt of bronze, silver or gold awards. Some of our vets here are Advanced Practitioners, holding certificates in Cardiology, Diagnostic Imaging and Small Animal Medicine.

We are passionate about developing our team to deliver the best possible service and customer experience, with many of our team currently working towards post graduate qualifications.

We are a progressive and forward-thinking team. We always aim to deliver a professional, compassionate, caring and efficient service to all our clients, with patient care and welfare at the forefront of our minds.

Our service is friendly and encourages clients to return to us. It is not our intention to provide the cheapest service, but one that provides an excellent standard of veterinary care at a price that is fair to our clients.
Consistency of care is really important to us and the rota system we have in place regularly enables the clinical team to follow through with care from admission to discharge.

Training and development is encouraged within the team and we provide a generous CPD package to support this.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

We hold regular practice meetings/staff training days to support this. Consultation is commonplace within departments. Employees’ opinions are encouraged.
We encourage problem-solving and have an open door policy with an approachable, experienced management team. Our organisation remains competitive and fair. Friendship and camaraderie are commonplace, we care about each other and our work.

We are committed to professional and compassionate hospital care, 24hrs a day. Join our team and you will work alongside supportive, experienced and knowledgeable professionals with a real passion for their work.

As an accredited Small Animal Veterinary Hospital, we work to high standards, providing quality care and excellent customer service. But it’s not all about the work, is it?

We believe it’s just as important to feel part of the team outside of work too. Our social committee, annual rounders match, Christmas parties and baking extravaganza’s help to do just that and it’s entirely your choice as to how much or how little you’d like to get involved.

Deputy Reception Manager – Scott Veterinary Clinic Bedford July 26

We are looking for an experienced Veterinary Receptionist, with the desire to move into a management role or someone with previous customer service management experience who would like a new and exciting challenge supporting our reception team at our well-established RCVS Accredited Veterinary Hospital in Bedford.

The successful candidate must be friendly, bright & bubbly, organised and confident. They will assist our Reception Manager in delivering excellent customer service and team support. This position requires current and relevant work experience.

The successful candidate must be motivated and committed to this role. Relevant training will be provided.

Responsibilities include:

• • Fulfilling all aspects of the hospital veterinary receptionist role and responsibilities
  • Approving holidays and lieu time, must ensure no more than 2 off at any one time. And be confident to decline
  • Maintaining reception rotas, including branches and liaising with Practice Administrator and Managers for any additional support required for holidays or sickness
  • Reporting absences and carrying out return to work interviews with reception team
  • Carrying out Banking admin in the absence Reception Manager
  • Maintaining vets rotas in the practice management system
  • Recording the minutes of reception meetings and chairing meetings in the absence of the reception manager
  • Maintaining appropriate stock (stationery) levels
  • Team motivation, guidance and supervision
  • Conveying and disseminating important notices from senior management to the reception team and also providing feedback from the team to the reception manager.
  • Assist reception manager with team performance reviews, team discipline and recruitment

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a fair, consistent and professional approach to all aspects of the role.

They must be trustworthy when dealing with confidential matters and must be approachable, patient and respectful of others at all times. Excellent communication skills are essential.

This is a permanent position, working Monday-Friday, including evening shifts and every other Saturday, totalling an average of 30.5hrs per week.

Monday: 08:00-13:00

Tuesday: 13:00-19:00

Wednesday: 13:00-19:00

Thursday: 08:00-13:00

Friday: 13:00-19:00

Saturday: (every other) 08:30-14:00

Sunday: OFF

Starting Salary (based on 30.5hrs): £21,411 to £23,790 per annum

Closing date for applications: Friday 7th August 2026

Please send your CV and cover letter for the attention of Lesley Curtis, Reception Manager:lesley@scottveterinaryclinic.co.uk

5.8a JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Deputy Reception Manager

RESPONSIBLE TO: Veterinary Reception Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Reception team

ROLE Fully trained and confident in all aspects of the Veterinary Receptionist job description, and:

1. Agree holidays and lieu time, ensuring no more than 2 off at any one time, and be confident to decline.

2. Administrate reception rotas and plan ahead to ensure the team are suitably distributed. If short staffed, liaise with Practice Administrator or senior nurses for nurse cover.

3. Manage emergency cover for branches due to unplanned absences.

4. Carry out return to work interviews (after sickness absence) and reporting to Finance and Facilities Manager.

5. Daily banking.

6. Update and monitor vet rotas and manage bookings/breaks/emergencies on Practice Management System.

7. Upload Vets Now Clinical Reports to appropriate records and email

8. Encourage team motivation and lead by excellent example. Provide support, guidance and reassurance.

9. Assist the directors to convey any important notices to the reception team.

10. Chair and minute reception team meetings, in the absence of the Reception Manager.

11. Attend Head of Department meetings (in the absence of the Reception Manager) and, where appropriate, implement/disseminate any notices/action items.12. To assist with annual appraisals, 3 month and 6 month reviews.

13. Be approachable, patient, fair and consistent. Guide the team with any queries and act effectively and promptly.

14. Monitor stationary stock levels and inform Accounts Administrator of relevant orders.

15. Assist Reception Manager with reception recruitment/shortlisting/interviewing.

5.9 JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Receptionist

RESPONSIBLE TO: Veterinary Reception Manager

1. General running of reception.

2. Booking appointments/operations.

3. Receiving and making telephone calls.

4. Organising repeat prescriptions for small animals.

5. Receiving, sending and filing emails.

6. Booking lab result fees and accessing Pathport.

7. Dealing with client grievances.

8. Processing payments.

9. Organisation and maintenance of the library.

10 Preparing operation consent forms in the absence of a designated nurse.

11 Advice and selling of general flea and worming products.

12 Advice on basic animal care requirements and triage for emergencies.

13 Typing letters, certificates and reports.

14 Filing all practice correspondence, insurance forms and lab reports.

15 Contacting other veterinary practices for client histories.

16 Checking rotas and ensuring they are correct.

17 Maintenance of noticeboards.

18 Keep reception and shop area clean and tidy.

19 Restock cons room leaflets.

20 Place uniform orders.

21 Register microchips online.

22 Check and restock first aid boxes.

23 Scan and attach consent forms to client files.

24 Organise storage and collection of charity donations and empty collection boxes.

25. Any task as required by supervisors