At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of veterinary professionals while providing exceptional patient care.
- Company: Acres Vets, a growing small animal practice with a friendly culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and funded CPD.
- Other info: Exciting new practice opening in 2026 with state-of-the-art facilities.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role and shape the future of veterinary care.
- Qualifications: Experienced small animal GP with leadership skills and a passion for mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 43268 - 52884 £ per year.
Find your future with Acres Vets. Acres Vets is entering an exciting new chapter, and we're looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join us on a 12-month maternity cover contract. With our continued growth and upcoming move to a brand-new, purpose-built practice at Airdrie Retail Park, there's never been a better time to become part of our friendly and ambitious team.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced veterinary surgeon looking to step into a leadership role where you can influence clinical standards, support and develop colleagues, and help shape the future of the practice. Working alongside our skilled veterinary nurses and support staff, you'll play a key role in maintaining clinical excellence, mentoring colleagues and delivering exceptional patient care.
As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you'll combine clinical responsibilities with leadership duties, helping to maintain the highest standards of patient and client care while supporting and mentoring your colleagues. You'll work closely with the Practice Manager and nursing team to drive clinical excellence, encourage continuous development and help lead the practice through an exciting period of growth. This role would suit an experienced small animal GP who enjoys leading by example, building strong client relationships and working collaboratively within a supportive team.
This is a 35-hour week, worked across four weekdays, including one later shift, with just 1 in 6 (or potentially 1 in 7) Saturday mornings. The role is offered as a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract, providing an excellent opportunity to gain or further develop leadership experience within a well-established practice.
About Acres Vets: Acres Vets is a single-site, first opinion small animal practice with an exciting future ahead. In 2026, we'll be relocating to a purpose-built practice at Airdrie Retail Park—a modern facility three times the size of our current premises, giving us significant scope to expand both our patient numbers and the services we provide. Our new practice will be equipped with brand-new, high-specification equipment, including digital direct radiography, dental radiography and upgraded clinical facilities. We also have ultrasound, an in-house laboratory and tonometry, with plans for future investment in endoscopy as the practice continues to grow.
You’ll be joining a friendly and experienced team of 6 Veterinary Surgeons, 5 RVNs and 9 dedicated support colleagues who are passionate about delivering outstanding patient care. We're also proud to be an RVN Training Practice and hold RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (General Practice) accreditation, reflecting our commitment to clinical excellence and continuous development.
Life in Airdrie: Located in the heart of Scotland's Central Belt, Airdrie offers the perfect balance of town and country living. With Glasgow just 12 miles away and Edinburgh around 35 miles away, you'll have easy access to two vibrant cities while enjoying more affordable living, beautiful countryside and excellent transport links across Scotland.
How We’ll Support You:
- 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
- Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
- A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
What We Offer Our Team:
- 6.8 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
- Up to £65,000 salary
Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Airdrie employer: Inspiring Vet Care
Inspiring Vet Care is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling role in veterinary care. Located in King's Lynn, we offer a supportive team environment where you can thrive and develop your career, all while enjoying competitive pay and a range of employee benefits, including annual leave and wellbeing initiatives. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of pets and their owners in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Airdrie
✨Leverage Medical Community Events
Get yourself out there and join local medical meetups and health fairs. These events are gold mines for networking and might even lead you straight to opportunities at places like Inspiring Vet Care. Don’t shy away from chatting with professionals in the industry; they can provide insight or even a foot in the door for that temporary role as a Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal.
✨Reach Out to Temp Agencies Specialising in Healthcare
Temp agencies can be your best mate when it comes to landing short-term gigs in human medicine. Find agencies that focus on healthcare and get your name out there. They'll usually have the inside scoop on temporary positions at places like Inspiring Vet Care, so it’s a win-win!
✨Utilise University Career Centres
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✨Showcase Your Skills Publicly
Develop a portfolio that showcases any relevant projects or skills, even if they’re voluntary or part-time. Having something tangible to present to Inspiring Vet Care will make you stand out. Consider starting a blog or contributing to forums in human medicine to increase your visibility.
We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal in Airdrie
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the human medicine field, it's crucial to showcase any relevant clinical or research experience you have. Even for temporary roles, mention internships, volunteer work, or any shadowing you’ve done with healthcare professionals to demonstrate your passion and familiarity with the field.
Certifications Count!:Don't forget to include any medical certifications or training you've completed, even if they’re temporary. These could be things like CPR or first aid certifications, which are often essential in human medicine roles and can set you apart from other applicants.
Show Your Eagerness to Learn:Since this is a temporary role, your motivation to learn and adapt is key! Use your cover letter to express your excitement about gaining real-world experience and how this role aligns with your career aspirations in human medicine. Let them know you're keen to absorb every bit of knowledge!
Tailor Your CV for Each Application:Make sure to customise your CV for Inspiring Vet Care by highlighting experience and skills that match the job description. Use relevant keywords and phrases specific to human medicine, so your application really stands out and shows you’re genuinely interested in this temporary opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiring Vet Care
✨Show Off Your Skills in Action
In the human medicine field, practical skills are a must. If your temporary role involves patient interaction or technical procedures, be ready to discuss specific examples where you've put your skills to use. They might even throw in a scenario-based question to see how you handle real-life situations, so think through your experiences!
✨Stay On Top of Current Practices
Human medicine is always evolving, so brush up on the latest treatment protocols and technologies relevant to your field. Mentioning recent innovations or case studies during your interview with Inspiring Vet Care not only shows your passion but also your commitment to staying informed in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Flexibility
Since this is a temporary position, your ability to adapt is key. Prepare a few anecdotes about times you've quickly changed your approach or filled in for a colleague. Inspiring Vet Care will want to know that you can seamlessly step into various roles as needed.
✨Highlight Your Learning Mindset
Temporary roles in human medicine often lead to valuable learning experiences. Emphasise your eagerness to learn and grow in this position. Be ready to express how quickly you can pick up new skills, and how you're looking to make the most of your time in the role at Inspiring Vet Care.
