Veterinary Surgeon

CVS Group; Chester; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary service provider in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join their MiNight Vet team. This role involves working night shifts in a supportive environment with a competitive salary up to £80,000 FTE. Candidates should possess strong clinical knowledge and experience in both routine and emergency surgery. The practice offers generous annual leave, staff discounts, and opportunities for professional development, making it a fulfilling position in a well-equipped referral hospital.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Staff discount scheme

Private healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience in small animal practice.
• Confident in emergency and routine surgical procedures.
• Commitment to high standards of care and client service.

Responsibilities

• Provide OOH consultations for first opinion emergencies.
• Manage inpatient care and monitoring.
• Perform emergency surgical procedures.

Skills

Strong clinical knowledge

Experience in surgical procedures

Good communication skills

Calm and methodical approach

Job description

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our MiNight Vet team working nights on a fixed-term contract until September 2026. You'll work in a primary care OOH setting based at ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists; a fully equipped RCVS approved Veterinary referral hospital. (Please note: ChesterGates inpatients are under the care of interns and referral clinicians.)

Why us?

Situated just outside of Chester city centre, our practice is ideally placed for those who enjoy exploring in their time off. The Lake District, Liverpool, North Wales, the Wirral and two airports are all within easy reach—giving you a perfect mix of professional fulfilment and quality downtime.

• Work alongside a talented, friendly and supportive team of vets, nurses, VCAs and receptionists
• Benefit from close collaboration with ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists
• Enjoy a workplace that supports professional development, including the potential to pursue an ECC certificate

Salary & Rota

• Shifts: 7 pm-8 am
• Annualised
• Average hours: 28 per week
• Salary up to £80,000 FTE
• Free parking on site
• Conveniently located near public transport, with nearby access to the Wirral, Lake District, Liverpool, and North Wales

What to Expect

MiNight Vet Chester Wirral provides 24-hour care for our first opinion member practices, including the ongoing care of MiNight Vet inpatients. Being based within a referral hospital, you'll benefit from access to a wider clinical team and advanced facilities, with additional equipment and medications on hand to support complex case management.

You’ll be involved in a mix of:

• OOH consultations for first opinion emergencies
• Receiving case transfers from our member practices
• Inpatient care and monitoring
• Medical investigations and workups
• Emergency surgical procedures

Typical cases include foreign bodies, caesarean sections, GDVs, dyspnoea, seizures, HGE, urethral obstructions and DKA.

This is a rewarding and varied role with plenty of scope to use and develop your clinical skills. You'll work independently overnight while knowing that a wider clinical support network is nearby should you need it.

What We're Looking For

This role would suit a confident and capable small animal vet with at least 3 years' experience in practice. You’ll need:

• Strong clinical knowledge across emergency and general practice cases
• Experience in both routine and emergency surgical procedures
• Good communication skills and a calm, methodical approach
• A genuine commitment to delivering high standards of care and client service

What We Offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays
• Buy/sell up to an additional 4 weeks annual leave!
• Staff discount scheme on Veterinary bills and products
• A range of health benefits including private healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to over 400 Mental Health First-Aiders

Find a full list by clicking the link here: CVS Careers - What We Offer

To arrange a confidential chat or a visit to the practice, please contact Andy [e-mail]

CVS Group plc is an AIM listed, international integrated veterinary services provider, which delivers to clients through four business areas: our veterinary practices, diagnostic laboratories, pet crematoria and e-commerce division. Our success is derived from the passion our people have for animals and for making pets a priority, it's what is at the heart of our work, every day.

CVS is committed to being a fully inclusive place to work where all our colleagues are encouraged and supported to be themselves, where difference is celebrated and where everyone feels able to deliver their best. We are also determined to build a workforce that is more representative of our diverse communities and the people we provide our services to.