Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is your chance to join a high-performing emergency and critical care team at one of Vets Now’s busiest locations. You’ll work an average of 40 hours per week on a manageable rota: weekday nights, weekend days and nights on a 1:2 rotation, plus a share of bank holidays—never more than three consecutive nights. The pace is relentless and the caseload diverse, giving you genuine scope to develop advanced ECC skills in a fast-paced, rewarding environment.

Not ready for full-time commitment? Part-time or weekend-only arrangements are warmly welcomed. The Gateshead clinic benefits from excellent public transport links, making it easy to commute from across the North East.

As a PDSA host practice, you’ll be exposed to a consistently high and varied caseload—the clinic is renowned internally as full-on and high-performing, regularly attracting experienced locum vets who thrive on the pace and case variety.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver emergency and critical care to a high clinical standard across a busy, varied caseload
• Work collaboratively with a supportive, experienced ECC team
• Manage a mix of weekday night shifts, weekend day and night duties on a structured 1:2 rota
• Contribute to maintaining the clinic’s reputation as one of Vets Now’s top five busiest locations
• Engage with the AdvantEdge or Cutting Edge development programmes if newly qualified

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with current RCVS registration
• Experience or strong interest in emergency and critical care
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Flexibility to work a mixed rota including nights and weekends
• Willingness to develop and refine ECC skills

Benefits

• Salary: up to £75,000 (depending on experience)
• £5,000 relocation allowance
• £10,000 recognition bonus
• £1,500 CPD allowance plus 35 paid hours pro rata annually
• ECC certificate support—financial support and paid study leave
• Seven weeks pro rata annual leave
• Enhanced company sick, maternity, paternity, and adoption pay schemes
• Private medical insurance
• Professional membership fees paid
• Up to 50% discounted staff pet care
• AdvantEdge programme: one-week hands-on practical training plus 20 hours flexible case-based e-learning (newly qualified vets)
• Paid salary, accommodation, and travel during any Edge programme training

About the Practice

Vets Now Gateshead is a high-volume emergency and critical care clinic operating 24/7 to serve the North East. It’s consistently ranked among Vets Now’s top five busiest locations and operates as a PDSA host practice, handling a significant emergency caseload with excellent clinical standards. The team is renowned internally as full-on and high-performing.

Vets Now is the UK’s leading out-of-hours emergency veterinary service, part of Vets Now Group Ltd. The clinic benefits from excellent transport links and is easily accessible from Gateshead, Newcastle, and surrounding areas. The practice actively welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is a Disability Confident Employer.