Night Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Inspiring Vet Care; Haddington; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Six weeks holiday

BVA membership

RCVS fees covered

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Links Veterinary Group in East Lothian is seeking a Night Veterinary Surgeon to join our established out-of-hours team. You'll manage a broad range of emergency and critical care cases, working 12-hour night shifts as part of a three-strong night team.

This role offers autonomy in clinical decisions, a sole-charge environment, and a supportive nursing team, with a rota that provides genuine time away from work.

Qualifications

• Emergency/critical care experience
• Ability to work independently in a night-time setting
• Strong communication with clients and team
• Demonstrated clinical decision-making under pressure

Responsibilities

• Manage overnight emergency and critical care cases
• Provide high-quality patient care with autonomous decisions
• Collaborate with night nursing team and hand over to daytime team
• Perform emergency procedures and surgery as needed

Skills

ECC experience

Clinical decision-making

Sole-charge environment

Client communication

Education

Veterinary degree

RCVS registration

Job description

Night Veterinary Surgeon - Links Veterinary Group

East Lothian, Scotland

4 nights on, 8 nights off

Average 31.75 hours per week including holiday cover

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

We’re looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join the established and supportive out-of-hours team at Links Veterinary Group in East Lothian.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a vet who enjoys the challenge and variety of emergency and critical care, is confident making clinical decisions overnight and is looking for a rota that provides genuine time away from work.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Night Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll manage a broad range of emergency and critical care cases, providing high-quality clinical care to patients throughout the night.

You’ll have the autonomy to make clinical decisions and manage cases confidently while working alongside an experienced nursing team. Our out-of-hours service supports patients from our own practices as well as a local veterinary practice, providing a varied and interesting caseload.

Working Pattern

• 12-hour night shifts
• 4 nights on, followed by 8 nights off
• Contracted 28.07 hours per week
• Average 31.75 hours per week when holiday cover is included
• 6 nights on, 6 nights off when providing annual leave cover
• Part of an established team of three experienced Night Veterinary Surgeons

Key Responsibilities

• Managing emergency and critical care cases overnight
• Providing high-quality patient care and confident clinical decision-making
• Working effectively within a sole-charge environment
• Performing emergency procedures and surgery where required
• Monitoring inpatients and responding appropriately to changes in their condition
• Communicating clearly and compassionately with clients regarding treatment and ongoing care
• Working closely with the night nursing team to deliver excellent patient care
• Providing clear and effective handovers to the daytime clinical team

More About Links Veterinary Group

Links Veterinary Group is a progressive and well-equipped practice with the facilities required to support a high standard of emergency and critical care. You’ll have access to:

• A dedicated imaging suite with ultrasound and X-ray
• Two fully equipped surgical theatres
• A purpose-built dental suite
• An in-house laboratory providing rapid diagnostics
• Dedicated kennel and cattery facilities
• Observation kennels for close patient monitoring
• Isolation facilities

You’ll join a dedicated team of three experienced Night Veterinary Surgeons, supported by a skilled nursing team, giving you the clinical support and facilities needed to provide excellent care throughout your shifts.

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are a confident and experienced Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys emergency work and is comfortable making independent clinical decisions. You’ll bring:

• A Veterinary degree and registration (or eligibility to register) with the RCVS
• Previous emergency and critical care experience, or a strong interest in developing your ECC skills
• Confidence making clinical decisions and working in a sole-charge environment
• The ability to manage a varied and fast-paced emergency caseload
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients and colleagues
• A collaborative approach to working with the wider veterinary and nursing team
• A commitment to delivering excellent patient and client care

How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• A varied and rewarding emergency and critical care caseload
• The opportunity to develop and strengthen your ECC skills
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership and specialist roles
• Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.

Whether you’re looking to develop your emergency and critical care experience or find a night role that gives you genuine time away from work, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.