At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emergency and inpatient care as a Night Veterinary Surgeon in a supportive hospital environment.
- Company: Join Village Vet St Albans, part of the largest family-owned veterinary company globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, CPD funding, wellness programs, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression and a focus on wellbeing.
- Why this job: Work nights with a strong team, making a real difference in animal care.
- Qualifications: RCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon with at least 3 years UK experience required.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 95000 £ per year.
Location: Village Vet St Albans (Hertfordshire)
Hours: 7-night blocks, working 1 week on and 3 weeks off
Salary: £85,000 - £95,000 per annum FTE depending on experience + bonus scheme
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
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
- 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 at joanne.gray@linnaeusgroup.co.uk
Night Veterinary Surgeon - 1 year FTC in St Albans 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 in St Albans
✨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 lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your emergency care skills and case management. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve excelled under pressure, as this role demands calmness and clinical confidence during night shifts.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for night work! During interviews, express why you thrive in a nocturnal environment and how you handle the unique challenges it brings. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely excited about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and the amazing benefits we offer, making it easier for you to tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Night Veterinary Surgeon - 1 year FTC in St Albans
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 care and hospital medicine, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about night work and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Be genuine and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Team Spirit:We value strong team players, so mention any experiences where you’ve collaborated effectively with others. This will show us you can communicate well during handovers and support your colleagues.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands quickly!
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.
✨Show Your 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 you've communicated effectively during handovers or managed cases as part of a team.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Night shifts can be intense, so it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to remain calm and practical in high-pressure situations. Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed emergencies or difficult cases, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the hospital's protocols, the support you'll receive from the nursing team, and the types of cases you might encounter. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
