Night Veterinary Surgeon

Wolfe Vets; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary practice in London seeks an Emergency and Critical Care Vet. This role requires confidence in surgery and veterinary management, offering care for patients in emergency situations. Candidates should be committed, meticulous, and enjoy working in a dynamic environment. The position involves night shifts with a 7 nights on, 14 nights off pattern, ensuring ample rest. The role includes performance bonuses, RCVS fees coverage, and well-being packages for employees.

Benefits

Quarterly bonus package

RCVS fees paid

Workplace pension

Wellbeing package

Discounted pet services

Qualifications

• Must have experience in emergency and critical care.
• Ability to manage cases from first consultation to diagnosis.
• Skilled in performing various surgical procedures.

Responsibilities

• Consultations for new patients.
• Conduct examinations and diagnosis.
• Stabilisation and care of inpatients.

Skills

Confident veterinary practice

Emergency care expertise

Surgical skills

Excellent clinical record keeping

Client management

Education

Veterinary degree

ECC certificate (preferred)

Job description

Wolfe Vets is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to creating a meritocratic and inclusive environment for our people.

About us

Launched in June 2020, Wolfe Vets is independently owned, with RCVS accredited small animal veterinary care based in Chiswick and Fulham.

We offer an exceptional standard of round the clock care, with referral treatments and facilities, as well as all the routine consultations, health checks and procedures expected at a family vet. We are passionate about pets and animal welfare; we believe that pets and their owners deserve to be treated with expertise and compassion.

Our fantastic team

Without our brilliant team, Wolfe Vets would not be able to offer an exceptional level of care to our furry patients and their humans. We value every member of the Wolfe Vets team: listening to good ideas, prioritising staff development and using cutting‑edge technologies to work to the highest standards. Alongside our exceptional team, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of visiting specialists that are all advanced certificate holders in their chosen fields which is an exciting part of our team’s development allowing the exposure to complex cases.

We think that Wolfe Vets is a great place to work and understand that looking after each other (as well as the animals in our care) is vital.

In short, we want our people to flourish, and nothing makes us happier than watching a member of our team grow and develop.

The role

Our ECC Vets work as part of a small, highly skilled team offering a highly trusted night emergency and critical care service for our community and for referring vets.

With a commitment to excellence in emergency & critical care, you are driven to help animals medically and surgically when they are in need.

Confident in diagnostics, medical case management and patient care, you have developed a strong reputation in your current clinic for reliability, expertise and good outcomes.

Technical Experience Specification (essential)

• You are an experienced, confident and able veterinary surgeon who is used to managing cases from first consultation through full diagnostic work
• Proven experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of outcomes, including hospitalising patients and monitoring them during hospitalisation
• Experience in a range of procedures including : Gastrotomy, enterotomy (ectomy), splenectomy, cystotomy, GDV, extensive wound management and wound closure
• Head and neck procedures : enucleation, placement and management of chest drains and feeding tubes
• Limb, digit and tail amputation
• Emergency management of open and closed fractures and joint luxations
• Emergency management of spinal / neurological conditions prior to advanced imaging (in house CT or external MRI).
• Competent in use of ultrasound & Radiography : A-FAST, T-FAST, EPIC Scan, examination of liver, spleen, kidneys and bladder
• Use of endoscopes for foreign body retrieval.
• Understanding of blood gas analysis.
• Experience with blood products.
• Expert at managing perfusion status.
• Skilled at CPR

Responsibilities

• Carrying out consultations for all new patients
• Carrying out appointments, accurate examinations, all relevant tests and accurate diagnosis
• Animals ordinarily to be discharged the following day, if admitted and deemed fit to leave - we do not discharge animals in the middle of the night
• Appropriate care of inpatients
• Surgical interventions for inpatients and new patients, when indicated
• Stabilisation for surgery by our day team the next day, if indicated

(Please note - We do not encourage transfer of patients back and forth between Wolfe Vets and partner primary care practices (PCP), as we do not believe that this is in the patients' best interest. We admit and then manage until fit for discharge to PCP care.)

Essential to the role

• You are confident and happy to work as the sole vet (with the support of an RVN)
• You are passionate about delivering outstanding emergency & critical care to animals in need
• Excellent clinical record keeping (and communication with our day team)
• You can confidently and accurately estimate and charge for procedures
• With outstanding client management skills : you derive real satisfaction from finding solutions to problems
• You are empathetic, open and honest
• Committed and hard‑working, you truly enjoy looking after every animal in your care
• A team player, you enjoy working with and learning from others

Preferred Practical Skills & Experience (not essential)

• You are preferably an ECC certificate holder who is excited to support the success of our night emergency & critical care service
• Adrenal, pancreatic, GI and cardiac ultrasound
• Advanced ophthalmology examinations and surgical procedures
• Liver lobectomy, GI stapling, nephrectomy, adrenalectomy, colectomy, anal gland excision, perineal hernia repair, colposuspension, urethrotomy(ostomy).
• Advanced wound closure techniques
• Endoscopy : experience in airway and GI
• Other head and neck : TECA, BOAS, Thyroid, Salivary glands etc
• Echocardiography
• Joint injections
• Orthopaedic surgery : fracture repair & luxation procedures via bone plating, ex‑fix, IM Pin TPLO, TTA, MPL techniques
• Official veterinarian status

Wolfe Vets Facilities

• Three dedicated theatres with positive pressure ventilation
• Separate spacious dog and cat wards
• Three consult rooms
• A large central patient hub
• Rigid endoscopy, bronchoscope, gastroscope, digital display
• IMEC patient monitors
• Extensive surgical instrumentation : suction, stapling devices, full AO, electrosurgery etc
• AGFA digital radiography
• Philips Epiq Elite Ultrasound
• Access to CT Scanner
• Large, spacious staff room & kitchen

Working Pattern

The role is night‑time working

Hours

6 : 45pm – 8 : 15am (the following day)

Standard working pattern : 7 nights on, 14 nights off (day shifts may be available provided they are within

Working time regulations, if you wish to further supplement your hours, however this is optional and open for discussion)

This role will be based at our Fulham hospital : 297 Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, SW6 2NY

Rewards

• Quarterly bonus package
• RCVS fees paid
• Workplace pension
• Wellbeing package with cash contributions to medical care & therapies
• Discounted pet food and veterinary services for own pets