OOH Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

MiNight Vet Chester is seeking an experienced veterinary surgeon to join its out-of-hours team on a unique twilight shift pattern. You’ll work 2pm–midnight (with a 30-minute unpaid break) in a primary care OOH setting based within ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists, a fully equipped RCVS-approved referral hospital. This annualised contract offers approximately 22.56 hours per week, with the flexibility of additional hours available until October 2026.

Located just outside Chester city centre, the practice puts you within easy reach of the Lake District, Liverpool, North Wales, and the Wirral—ideal if you value quality downtime alongside rewarding clinical work. You’ll collaborate closely with a talented, friendly team of vets, nurses, VCAs, and receptionists, whilst benefiting from access to advanced facilities and a wider clinical network through the referral hospital setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver out-of-hours consultations for first opinion emergencies referred from member practices
• Manage inpatient care and ongoing monitoring of MiNight Vet cases
• Perform medical investigations and diagnostic workups on emergency patients
• Conduct emergency surgical procedures (foreign bodies, caesarean sections, GDVs, etc.)
• Handle a mix of typical emergency presentations including dyspnoea, seizures, HGE, urethral obstructions, and DKA
• Work collaboratively with the wider ChesterGates clinical team to manage complex cases

Requirements

• At least 3 years’ experience in small animal veterinary practice
• Strong clinical knowledge across emergency and general practice cases
• Demonstrated experience in both routine and emergency surgical procedures
• Excellent communication skills and a calm, methodical approach under pressure
• Genuine commitment to high standards of clinical care and client service

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £70,000 FTE (annualised contract)
• Annual Leave: 5 weeks per year plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to an additional 4 weeks
• Professional Development: Support for pursuing ECC (Emergency & Critical Care) certification
• Health & Wellbeing: Private healthcare, Employee Assistance Programme, and access to over 400 Mental Health First-Aiders
• Workplace Perks: Staff discount scheme on veterinary bills and products; free on-site parking
• Location: Convenient access to public transport, the Wirral, Lake District, Liverpool, and North Wales

About the Practice

MiNight Vet Chester is part of CVS Group, an AIM-listed international veterinary services provider with a portfolio of practices, diagnostic laboratories, pet crematoria, and e-commerce operations. The team at MiNight Vet Chester provides 24-hour emergency care for first opinion member practices across the region, operating from within ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists’ fully equipped facilities.

CVS Group is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all colleagues are supported to be themselves, difference is celebrated, and diverse perspectives are valued. The company is determined to build a workforce that reflects the communities it serves.