Farm OOH Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You’ll be the backbone of Farm 24’s out-of-hours emergency service, providing critical support to the farming community across Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, and surrounding areas. This role is dedicated to farm emergencies with a strong focus on obstetrics and acute presentations—the kind of cases that demand confident, independent decision-making at night.

The caseload is naturally seasonal, with busy spring months (calving and lambing season) offset by quieter periods that give you genuine downtime for recovery and balance. Where appropriate, emergencies can be attended from home if you’re local, or from accommodation provided during on-call periods. You’ll be working with beef, sheep, and mixed farms who rely on you most when they need it.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage farm emergency calls during out-of-hours periods, with particular expertise in obstetric cases and acute presentations
• Work independently and confidently at night, building trusted relationships with local farmers and practice teams
• Attend emergencies on-farm or from provided accommodation as appropriate
• Liaise with daytime teams at Priory Vets and coordinate care where needed
• Maintain clinical standards and contribute to a reliable, sustainable OOH model for West Wales

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• Confidence and competence working independently during night shifts
• Strong communication skills and ability to build farmer relationships
• Experience in farm practice or emergency large animal work is highly valued
• Full UK driving licence (essential)
• Flexibility around rota patterns and willingness to shape the role around your lifestyle

Benefits

• Signing & Relocation: £5,000 welcome bonus + £5,000 relocation allowance
• Salary: Up to £65,000 FTE depending on experience and agreed working pattern
• Transport & Accommodation: Vehicle provided; accommodation available during on-call periods if required
• Holiday: 6.6 weeks’ annual leave including bank holidays, plus your birthday off
• CPD & Development: £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD time annually; access to IVC Evidensia Training Centres and Vetlexicon resources
• Care Fund: £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance; enhanced family-friendly leave and pay; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional Support: BVA membership; VDS cover; RCVS fees covered
• Colleague Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes; retail discounts and cashback; reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Visa Sponsorship: Available if required

About the Practice

Priory Vets, Cardigan is a mixed practice serving the West Wales farming community and small animal owners across Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, and beyond. The practice treats dogs, cats, small pets, farm animals, and equine patients, making it a hub for diverse veterinary work in the region. As part of IVC Evidensia—a leading veterinary group—Priory Vets benefits from access to world-class training centres, resources, and professional support networks while maintaining its roots in the local community.

The team is committed to building a sustainable, genuinely flexible emergency service that supports both farmer clients and the vets who serve them. This is a practice that recognises one size doesn’t fit all, and they’re actively shaping roles around people rather than forcing people into fixed boxes.