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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in emergency and critical care, saving pets' lives every day.
- Company: Join Vets Now, a supportive and innovative veterinary clinic in Kilmarnock.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in animal care while mentoring and inspiring your team.
- Qualifications: Experienced veterinary surgeon with leadership skills and a passion for animal welfare.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a collaborative environment await you.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
Location: Kilmarnock
Salary: up to £85,000 DOE
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
At Vets Now, we believe that when your purpose is to make a difference, you deserve a team that shares your passion. In our Kilmarnock clinic, we’re looking for a Head/Lead Veterinary Surgeon to lead from the front - inspiring clinical excellence and guiding a high-performing and collaborative team that supports pets and people when they need it most.
Kilmarnock is home to a close-knit and highly experienced team, with a particularly longstanding nursing cohort who have worked together for many years with minimal change. The clinic benefits from a stable and supportive culture, with veterinary surgeons who bring a wealth of experience, many having previously worked in charity practice. The team includes dedicated CE and Sunday vets, ensuring strong clinical continuity and support. Recruitment opportunities here are rare, reflecting the positive working environment and long-term retention within the clinic. Ideally located just behind Kilmarnock train station, the clinic is exceptionally well connected by public transport, making commuting straightforward from surrounding areas.
As part of the wider Vets Now network, the clinic plays a vital role in providing trusted out-of-hours emergency care to pets across Kilmarnock and the surrounding communities.
Lead with Clinical Excellence
As Senior Vet, you’ll lead by example by blending clinical expertise with mentorship and collaboration. You’ll set the tone for quality care, lead in emergency situations, and support the development of your fellow clinicians. You will have responsibility for:
- Driving and upholding clinical standards across the clinic
- Supporting the growth, training and wellbeing of your veterinary team
- Identifying clinical development opportunities and shaping team progression
- Championing innovation and service improvement within the clinic
This is more than a job. This is a vital leadership role with real impact where your guidance helps shape the future of ECC, while making a difference to patients, clients, and colleagues every day.
Work-Life Balance That Works For You
This full-time role averages 40 hours per week, including:
- Weekday nights and 1:2 weekends (mix of nights and days)
- Nightshifts 18:00-09:00, Saturday day 12:00-18:30 and Sunday day 08:30-18:30
- No more than three consecutive nights
- Protected time for leadership duties and meetings
We understand that life outside of work matters too. That’s why we offer flexibility and can explore part-time arrangements, depending on clinic requirements because your balance is our priority.
Rewarding Work, Your Way
We look after you, so you can look after them, by offering a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Salary up to £85,000 DOE
- Seven weeks pro rata annual leave
- £1,875 CPD allowance + 35 paid CPD hours (pro rata)
- RCVS fees, VECCS membership, and VDS cover
- Family-friendly policies - enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption pay
- Access to our AdvantEdge clinical training platform
- Standard pension contributions (5% employee / 3% employer)
- Up to 50% discounted pet care
Support That Sets You Up for Success
You’re never alone at Vets Now: on-shift you’ll work alongside a registered vet nurse, an animal care assistant and a receptionist, and you can contact any of our clinics or referral centres across the UK at any time, day or night, if needing to discuss a particular case or share ideas. You’ll also be supported by our Support Office in Dunfermline, where our teams work behind the scenes to help you thrive. Our Call Handlers and Customer Care Advisors ensure you can focus on what matters most to your patients.
Ready to Lead with Purpose?
If you’d like to visit the clinic or chat about the role before applying, contact Jessica in our Talent Team at jessica.allcock@vets-now.com
Inclusion and Accessibility
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability or health condition, we’re committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Dunfermline employer: Vets Now
Contact Detail:
Vets Now Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Dunfermline
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend local meetups, or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion during interviews! Talk about your experiences and how they align with Vets Now's mission. Let them see that you’re not just looking for a job, but a place where you can truly make a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past where you’ve led a team or handled emergencies. This will showcase your leadership skills and clinical excellence, which are key for the Senior Vet role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Vets Now family!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Dunfermline
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for veterinary care shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in pets' lives and how that aligns with our mission at Vets Now.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to tailor your CV to highlight your relevant experience in emergency and critical care. We love seeing specific examples of how you've led teams or handled challenging situations in the past.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits into our supportive culture, so let us know what makes you unique and how you can contribute to our team.
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 you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vets Now
✨Know Your Clinical Stuff
As a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, you'll need to showcase your clinical expertise. Brush up on emergency and critical care protocols, and be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire your team.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Vets Now is looking for someone who can guide a high-performing team. Prepare examples of how you've mentored colleagues or improved team dynamics in previous roles. Highlight your experience in driving clinical standards and fostering a supportive environment.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Vets Now's values and the importance they place on collaboration and support. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their positive working environment and long-term retention strategies.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the clinic's operations, team structure, and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it opens up a dialogue that can make you more memorable.
