Veterinary Surgeon - Weekend - Emergency Out-Of-Hours

Independent Vetcare Limited; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Enhanced sick pay

Enhanced maternity policy including 6 

months full pay

Family-friendly policies including p%%

7 weeks pro rata annual leave

Death in service of two times annual薪

Job summary

Vets Now Witham is seeking a Vet Surgeon to join our ECC team. This weekend role focuses on backshifts (Saturday and Sunday 4pm–12am) with a view to mentoring and developing expertise in emergency care. The clinic offers a supportive environment and a strong case mix.

You will work with an experienced team, benefiting from ongoing mentorship and flexible scheduling to fit your lifestyle, while contributing to high‑quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Registered veterinary surgeon with UK registration (RCVS).
• ECC experience preferred and welcome to candidates seeking to expand expertise.
• Willingness to work weekend backshifts and holidays as part of the rota.

Responsibilities

• Provide after-hours emergency and critical care in the clinic.
• Collaborate with a second vet on complex cases and share knowledge.

Skills

Emergency care

Mentorship

Weekend shifts

Education

Veterinary Degree (DVM/BVetMed)

Job description

Vets Now is the UK's leading provider of Emergency and Critical Care, with a nationwide network of out-of-hours veterinary clinics and 24/7 emergency hospitals. As part of Inspiring Vet Care, our teams make a difference to pets and their owners when they need us most.

Vets Now Witham is a thriving clinic with an interesting caseload.

Whether you are working a second job or looking to get more ECC experience, this is a great opportunity to further your own knowledge and work with a team who are passionate about progressing in the world of ECC.

As a Vet Surgeon at Vets Now Witham, you will benefit from ongoing mentorship.

Our Witham team is well established and experienced, where you will find a working environment that is friendly and supportive.

Vets Now Witham is located between Chelmsford and Colchester, easily accessible via the A12.

Build your ECC career around your lifestyle

In this weekend role at our Witham clinic, you will work the backshifts. The available shifts include Saturday and Sunday backshifts, every other weekend, plus a fair share of bank holidays. The shifts times in this role are typically Saturday and Sunday 4pm-12am. How many of the available shifts to be worked within the rota can be discussed further, we will try to work around your lifestyle and clinic requirements. As a backshift Vet you will often work as the second Vet on shift, providing an opportunity to share knowledge and work together on the more complex cases. We look after you, so you can look after them.

At Vets Now we recognise that our people are what makes us. That's why we are continuing to invest in first class reward and recognition benefits and initiatives.

Benefits

• Private medical insurance
• Membership of employee wellbeing programme
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity policy including 6 months full pay
• Family-friendly policies including paternity and adoption pay schemes
• 7 weeks pro rata annual leave
• Your birthday as a paid day off
• Paid volunteering days
• ECC certificate support - financial and paid study leave
• Access to our Edge programmes
• RCVS fees
• VECCS membership
• VDS cover
• Vets Now For You - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
• UK Standard Pension contributions - 5% Employee/3% Employer
• Up to 50% discounted staff pet care
• Death in service of two times annual salary

AdvantEdge

Give yourself the AdvantEdge.
At Vets Now, we are passionate about training and the ongoing development of our employees. If this vacancy is of interest and you feel you would benefit from an enhanced induction into our business, then the below option may be perfect for you: AdvantEdge - A programme for talented Vets that will fast track them into a successful emergency role. This programme includes 1 week of hands‑on practical training and 20 hours of flexible case-based e-learning completed at your own pace. This blended approach is designed to help you start your career at Vets Now with confidence.