Night Veterinary Surgeon - Dartford

Night Veterinary Surgeon – Dartford, Kent | Up to £80,000 DOE | 7 Nights On, 14 Off | Excellent Benefits

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Night Veterinary Surgeon to join a progressive and supportive small animal veterinary hospital in Dartford, Kent.

Offering a salary of up to £80,000 DOE, a 7 nights on, 14 nights off rota, generous CPD support and excellent opportunities for clinical development, this position is ideal for a confident veterinary surgeon seeking a rewarding emergency and critical care role with an excellent work-life balance.

This full-time, permanent position offers a varied overnight caseload, including emergency consultations, urgent medical treatments, surgical procedures and inpatient care.

The successful candidate will benefit from clinical autonomy, modern hospital facilities and a supportive veterinary team, providing an excellent environment for developing advanced emergency and surgical skills.

With extended periods of time off between shifts, this role offers an attractive balance between clinical responsibility and personal flexibility.

About the Practice

This established small animal veterinary hospital provides a welcoming and collaborative working environment where veterinary surgeons are encouraged to develop their clinical skills and deliver exceptional patient care.

The hospital benefits from modern diagnostic and surgical facilities, including advanced imaging equipment, well-equipped operating theatres, inpatient monitoring technology and dedicated treatment areas.

Working alongside experienced veterinary professionals and dedicated nursing colleagues, the successful candidate will have access to clinical support and resources to manage a varied emergency and hospital caseload.

The practice places a strong emphasis on clinical excellence, professional development and employee wellbeing, encouraging veterinary surgeons to expand their knowledge and pursue additional qualifications.

With opportunities to collaborate with colleagues who have advanced clinical interests, the position offers an excellent environment for veterinary surgeons looking to strengthen their emergency, surgical and critical care experience.

Located in Dartford, Kent, the hospital benefits from convenient transport connections to London and the surrounding South East region.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality veterinary care to small animal patients during overnight shifts.

• Assess, diagnose and treat emergency and urgent care cases.

• Manage a varied caseload of medical, surgical and hospitalised patients.

• Perform emergency surgical procedures where clinically appropriate.

• Provide stabilisation and critical care support for seriously ill or injured patients.

• Monitor inpatient progress and adjust treatment plans according to clinical requirements.

• Make independent clinical decisions while maintaining high standards of patient welfare.

• Work collaboratively with veterinary nurses and support colleagues to ensure excellent patient outcomes.

• Communicate effectively with pet owners regarding diagnoses, treatment options and ongoing care.

• Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure effective handovers between day and night teams.

• Uphold high standards of clinical governance, hygiene and patient safety.

• Participate in continuing professional development and contribute to improvements in emergency care standards.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a recognised Veterinary Medicine qualification and be registered with the RCVS (MRCVS).

• Have previous experience working as a Veterinary Surgeon in small animal practice.

• Demonstrate confidence managing emergency and critical care cases independently.

• Be comfortable performing urgent surgical procedures within their level of competence.

• Possess strong clinical judgement and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

• Have an interest in emergency and critical care veterinary medicine.

• Demonstrate excellent communication and client relationship skills.

• Enjoy working collaboratively with veterinary nurses and clinical support colleagues.

• Remain calm, organised and professional when managing challenging clinical situations.

• Show enthusiasm for continuing professional development and expanding their clinical expertise.

Veterinary Surgeons with previous emergency, out-of-hours or hospital experience are particularly encouraged to apply, alongside experienced small animal vets with the confidence to manage overnight clinical responsibilities.

Compensation & Benefits

The successful candidate can expect a competitive package, including:

• Salary: Up to £80,000 per annum DOE.

• Permanent, full-time Night Veterinary Surgeon position.

• Working schedule: 7 nights on, followed by 14 nights off.

• Night shifts: Approximately 12 hours per shift.

• Extended periods of time off to support work-life balance.

• Generous CPD allowance and professional development support.

• Certificate funding and opportunities to pursue further qualifications.

• Regular professional development reviews and career progression support.

• Access to modern diagnostic equipment and hospital facilities.

• Opportunities to develop advanced emergency, surgical and critical care skills.

• Supportive working environment with experienced veterinary colleagues.

• Clinical autonomy within a well-equipped hospital setting.

• Convenient transport connections across Kent and Greater London.

This opportunity offers an excellent combination of competitive remuneration, a structured overnight rota, clinical independence and professional development for veterinary surgeons seeking a rewarding night position in Kent.