At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality clinical care and mentor junior vets in a supportive environment.
- Company: Join St Clair Vets, a friendly and collaborative small animal practice.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team culture with fun activities and a focus on wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by sharing your knowledge and supporting the next generation of vets.
- Qualifications: RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with solid small animal experience.
The predicted salary is between 45293 - 55359 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £70,000 DOE
Location: St Clair Vets
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week, 4-day week, 1:4 weekends (Saturday morning) with time off in lieu, no OOH’s.
Are you an experienced vet who still loves being hands-on and clinical, but also gets a real buzz from helping others grow? Are you the kind of person colleagues naturally come to for advice, reassurance or a second opinion? We’re looking for a kind, experienced Senior Vet to join our team - someone who enjoys sharing their knowledge, supporting others and being part of a genuinely collaborative practice.
The Role
This is a senior, hands-on clinical role for someone who enjoys both the medicine and the people side of veterinary practice. You’ll have a varied small animal caseload while becoming an important source of support, experience and encouragement for junior vets and recent graduates. We’re looking for someone who is happy to share what they know, talk through a tricky case over a coffee and reassure someone when they’re not quite sure what to do next. You don’t need to have all the answers - just the experience, curiosity and kindness to help others find theirs. Mentoring is part of everyday life at St Clair Vets. We protect time for it and take it seriously, with dedicated case discussions every two weeks alongside plenty of informal opportunities to talk cases, ask questions and learn from each other. We genuinely believe that veterinary practice is better when we work as a team. We want everyone to feel able to speak up, share ideas and ask for help, whatever their level of experience. Everyone has a voice here - and ideas don’t just get heard, they get tried. There’s no expectation for you to step away from clinical work or take on heavy management responsibilities. Instead, you’ll lead by example: being a calm and supportive presence, sharing your experience and helping create a team where people enjoy coming to work and feel comfortable being themselves.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Providing high-quality clinical care across consultations, surgery and inpatient work
- Being a friendly, approachable and supportive colleague to vets of all experience levels
- Mentoring and encouraging less experienced vets as part of everyday practice
- Taking part in protected mentoring time and two-weekly case discussions
- Sharing your knowledge, experience and those little tips you pick up over the years
- Working closely with our fantastic veterinary and nursing team
- Sharing ideas and helping shape how we work as a practice
- Helping create a positive, open and inclusive team culture
Who We’re Looking For
- RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with solid small animal experience
- An experienced and confident clinician who enjoys being hands-on
- Kind, approachable and genuinely interested in helping others
- A natural team player who enjoys working collaboratively rather than in isolation
- Someone who is happy to share knowledge without ever making others feel silly for asking questions
- Patient, supportive and willing to see things from someone else’s perspective
- Someone who understands that being a senior vet isn’t about knowing everything - it’s about being someone others can rely on
What We Offer
- Salary up to £70,000 depending on experience
- Five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- Fully funded CPD, including certificates
- Access to a wide range of Linnaeus online CPD
- Genuine support for professional development and leadership
- Staff discounts
- Life assurance
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
- Employer pension contribution
Wellbeing and Support
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders within the practice
- Eye care vouchers
- Free annual flu jab
- Cycle to work scheme
- Referral reward scheme
About St Clair Vets
St Clair Vets is a friendly, RCVS‑accredited small animal practice with two branches and an in‑house ophthalmology referral team at Vet Vision. Our caseload is varied and interesting, with excellent access to specialist advice and CPD through Vet Services Scotland. Culture really matters to us. We value kindness, communication and supporting one another. As a nurse training practice with an established new graduate programme, mentoring and learning are already central to how we work. We also enjoy spending time together outside of work, with charity events, bake‑offs, Easter activities, outdoor days and a legendary Christmas party. Based in Fife, with easy access to Edinburgh, beaches and countryside, it’s a brilliant place to balance work and life. St Clair Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits. At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best - care for pets. We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.
Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Kirkcaldy employer: Linnaeus
North Downs Specialist Referrals is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collegial work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration among specialists. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances and extensive CPD opportunities, employees can thrive both personally and professionally in the picturesque Surrey Hills, just a short distance from London. Our commitment to employee wellness and career progression makes NDSR a truly rewarding place to work for cardiology specialists.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Kirkcaldy
✨Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
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Join professional associations related to human medicine, such as the Royal College of Physicians. Attend their conferences and networking events to meet potential employers in a relaxed setting. Who knows, you might just bump into someone from Linnaeus!
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Kirkcaldy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Linnaeus, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Linnaeus. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like Linnaeus will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Linnaeus
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
