Veterinary Surgeon – Out of Hours

About the Role

This is a dedicated out-of-hours veterinary surgeon position within MiNightVet East Midlands, a specialist small animal emergency and critical care service. You’ll work part-time hours (approximately 22.75 hours per week) on a 7 on, 14 off rota pattern—flexible discussion available for the right candidate. Based in Castle Donington, just 5 minutes from East Midlands Airport, you’ll be part of a small team providing overnight and weekend emergency care to dogs, cats, and small mammals, serving both direct clients and referrals from other practices.

The location offers excellent connectivity: Birmingham International Airport is roughly an hour away, and you’re surrounded by vibrant cities like Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester, with easy access to Peak District countryside and trails. This is a role for someone who thrives in emergency medicine and wants to deepen their critical care expertise within a supportive, clinically empowered environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on surgical and medical cases with clinical autonomy, carrying out diagnostic investigations with precision
• Manage varied emergency caseloads across urgent and critical care scenarios
• Provide mentoring and clinical guidance to veterinary nurses and colleagues
• Contribute to shaping clinical standards and best practice within the MiNightVet team
• Deliver high-quality client care, building trust and positive experiences during stressful situations
• Work collaboratively within a culture where improvement is encouraged and best practice is shared

Requirements

• RCVS-registered veterinary surgeon
• Strong clinical autonomy and confidence managing complex emergency cases independently
• Special interest, experience, or training in urgent and critical care
• Natural mentoring ability and commitment to supporting colleagues
• Excellent client communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure
• Willingness to work night shifts and maintain alertness during unsociable hours

Benefits

• Professional support: RCVS and VDS fees paid in full
• CPD and learning: Generous CPD allowance, BSAVA library access, 450+ courses, and fully funded postgraduate qualifications (CertAVP, PgCert) including tuition, exams, and study leave
• Time off: Up to 33 days holiday annually with option to buy/sell additional days
• Relocation support: Relocation package and visa fees covered where applicable
• Clinical support: Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, Advanced Clinical Services Network, and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoring
• Wellbeing: Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions network, and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff benefits: 50% discount on pet care services, MiPet food and medications

About the Practice

MiNightVet East Midlands is a specialist out-of-hours emergency and critical care service operated by CVS, part of CVS Group Plc. The team comprises dedicated full-time night staff—qualified vets and nurses—with specialist training and experience across all aspects of urgent and critical care. The service welcomes dogs, cats, and small mammals, offering overnight and weekend emergency cover to direct clients and practices who have arranged the service.

CVS is committed to putting colleagues first, providing market-leading learning, on-the-job training, and collaboration with skilled clinicians. The culture emphasises clinical empowerment, continuous improvement, and best practice sharing. Central support functions—HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, procurement—ensure practices operate smoothly, allowing clinicians to focus on what they do best. CVS also invests significantly in facilities through a dedicated multi-million-pound improvement fund, and champions wellbeing through monthly check-ins, 400+ Wellbeing Champions, Pastoral Support Vets, and personal mentoring.