At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide overnight veterinary care and support for emergency and inpatient cases.
- Company: Join Village Vet St Albans, a leading 24-hour veterinary hospital.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, CPD funding, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to excellence and animal welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care with a supportive night team.
- Qualifications: RCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon with 3 years UK experience required.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 95000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Night Veterinary Surgeon to join our recently refurbished Village Vet St Albans hospital on a 12 month fixed-term contract. This is a fully hospital-based role working overnight on a structured rota, giving you focused blocks of work followed by extended time off. You’ll be supported by an experienced clinical and nursing team, working with a varied inpatient and emergency caseload in a well-equipped hospital setting. This role suits a vet who enjoys the responsibility and focus of night work, with the backing of a strong team and clear hospital systems in place. You’ll have the time and space to work cases through properly, with support available when needed.
Why join us
- Structured rota: 1 week on, 3 weeks off
- Hospital-only role with no branch work
- Varied emergency and inpatient caseload
- Strong night nursing support on site throughout shifts
- Access to full hospital diagnostics and facilities overnight
- No additional out-of-hours commitments outside rota blocks
- Recently refurbished and revamped hospital environment
Team and Practice
Village Vet St Albans is a well-established 24-hour veterinary hospital with a 6.5 FTE veterinary team (including a vet with a dental certificate, a vet completing a surgical certificate and another very experienced medicine and imaging veterinary surgeon) and a nursing team of 10, including RVNs, SVNs, and Patient Care Assistants. The hospital is fully equipped for inpatient and emergency care, with access to theatre, imaging, dental facilities, and in-house diagnostics throughout the night. The hospital features digital dental x-ray, digital x-ray, new US machine, full in house lab, endoscope, bronchoscope, rigid scope, laparoscopic equipment, bipolar/monopolar diathermy, multiparameters, bair huggers and boasts separate cat, dog and isolation wards. You’ll be working alongside an experienced night nursing team, with clear clinical backup and structured handover between day and night teams. The hospital also benefits from a wider team of clinicians across disciplines including surgery, medicine, dentistry, and ophthalmology. Village Vet St Albans is a busy, well-run hospital site within Hertfordshire, offering a steady and varied emergency caseload in a supportive environment.
What we’re looking for
- RCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon with at least 3 years UK experience
- Confident and experienced in ECC and hospital medicine
- Comfortable managing both inpatient and emergency caseloads
- Able to work autonomously overnight with clinical confidence
- Calm, practical, and reliable under pressure
- Strong team player with good communication during handovers
What we offer
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- External CPD funded
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- E-car salary sacrifice scheme
- Employer contribution pension scheme
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
- Wellness program including: Employee assistance program, Eyecare voucher scheme, Free annual Flu jab, Cycle to work scheme
About Us
Village 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.
If you would like to apply for the role or for an informal chat to discuss it further, please get in touch with Joanne in the recruitment team.
Night Veterinary Surgeon - 1 year FTC employer: Linnaeus
Village Vet St Albans is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and well-equipped environment for Night Veterinary Surgeons. With a structured rota of 1 week on and 3 weeks off, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance alongside competitive salaries and extensive benefits, including career progression opportunities and a comprehensive wellbeing package. The recently refurbished hospital fosters a collaborative culture, ensuring that staff can thrive while delivering high-quality care to pets in a busy and dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Night Veterinary Surgeon - 1 year FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, especially those who work at Village Vet or similar places. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your emergency and inpatient care knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled, as this will show your confidence and experience in ECC.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your teamwork skills! The role requires strong communication during handovers, so think of examples where you’ve worked well with others under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Village Vet St Albans.
We think you need these skills to ace Night Veterinary Surgeon - 1 year FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Night Veterinary Surgeon role. Highlight your experience in emergency and inpatient care, as well as any relevant qualifications or certifications.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for veterinary medicine and why you're excited about working nights. Mention how you can contribute to our supportive team at Village Vet St Albans.
Showcase Your Team Spirit:We love team players! In your application, emphasise your ability to communicate effectively during handovers and work collaboratively with both nursing and clinical teams. This is key for a smooth night shift!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity at Village Vet St Albans.
How to prepare for a job interview at Linnaeus
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your emergency and critical care (ECC) knowledge. Familiarise yourself with common inpatient and emergency cases, as well as the specific equipment and facilities available at Village Vet St Albans. This will show that you're not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Team Spirit
As a Night Veterinary Surgeon, you'll be part of a strong team. Be prepared to discuss your experience working collaboratively with nursing staff and other vets. Highlight examples where your communication skills made a difference during handovers or in high-pressure situations.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the hospital's protocols, the support you'll receive from the nursing team, and how the handover process works between day and night teams. This shows that you're proactive and keen to integrate smoothly into their established systems.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Since this role involves working autonomously overnight, be ready to discuss how you handle stress and make decisions under pressure. Share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your calmness and reliability in challenging situations.
