OOH Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to help relaunch and develop small animal emergency provision at Seafield Veterinary Group, a well-established mixed animal practice serving Moray and beyond. You’ll deliver vital out-of-hours care to animals in need, working on a highly attractive one-week-on, three-weeks-off rota that genuinely supports both clinical fulfilment and personal wellbeing. The practice is open to discussing a one-week-on, one-week-off pattern with adjusted salary if preferred.

Whether you’re based locally and working from home or relocating to this stunning part of northeast Scotland, accommodation is provided during your working week to ensure comfort and convenience. During your on-call week, you’ll cover Monday–Thursday 6pm–8am and Friday 6pm–8am Monday, with no anticipated calls between 8am–12pm Saturday (covered by the day practice). This role is ideal for a confident small animal vet who thrives in emergency situations and is comfortable working independently.

Based in beautiful Moray, between the Cairngorms National Park and the Moray Firth coastline, this role offers an enviable quality of life with access to hiking, wildlife spotting, and all the outdoor adventure the region offers.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide emergency and out-of-hours small animal veterinary care during assigned on-call weeks
• Work independently with confidence in emergency situations, making sound clinical decisions
• Support Seafield’s local community and veterinary teams with problem-solving and strong client care
• Contribute to developing and shaping the practice’s small animal emergency services
• Maintain clinical standards and professional practice protocols across the group’s surgeries

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS) with small animal experience
• Confident working independently in emergency situations
• Strong problem-solving skills and genuine commitment to client care
• Ability to thrive on a one-week-on, three-weeks-off rota (or negotiate alternative pattern)
• No specific experience level stated—all qualified candidates welcome to apply

Benefits

• Salary & Relocation: Up to £31,000 DOE (based on 1:3 weeks off rota); up to £7,500 relocation allowance; accommodation provided during working weeks
• Leave: 6.8 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) plus additional holiday for your birthday
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata); certificate support; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding; £1,250 Care Fund per annum
• Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme; enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay); colleague wellbeing initiatives
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership; VDS cover; RCVS fees covered
• Pension & Benefits: Company pension scheme with employer contribution; Cycle to Work scheme; Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility); voluntary benefits with flexibility; retail discounts and cashback; discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices
• Visa Sponsorship: Available for overseas candidates
• Infection Prevention & Quality: Access to Infection Prevention and Control Programme and Quality Improvement Programme

About the Practice

Seafield Veterinary Group has been serving the Moray community since 1982, evolving from R. S. Cowie and Partners (established in the 1930s). The practice is a busy mixed animal operation covering a 30-mile radius from the main surgery in Keith, with additional surgeries in Buckie and Banff. The team includes enthusiastic vets and support staff proud of their commitment to providing 24-hour cover for all animals. In 2018, Bellevue Veterinary Centre in Banff joined the group as an RCVS-accredited small and large animal surgery. Seafield is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group, and has recently enhanced large animal and equine out-of-hours support—now investing in small animal emergency services.

The practice prides itself on accessible, affordable, and personalised veterinary care, with a philosophy that investing in people, premises, and processes is fundamental to success.