Head Veterinary Surgeon – Emergency & Critical Care (ECC)

About the Role

Vets Now’s new Stirling clinic is launching in late summer 2025, and they’re recruiting a Head Veterinary Surgeon to lead the clinical charge from opening day. This is a genuine leadership opportunity—not a figurehead role—where you’ll set standards, mentor a collaborative team, and champion innovation in emergency and critical care. The clinic is purpose-built with three theatres, multiple diagnostic suites, six consult rooms, and future CT capability, giving you the infrastructure to deliver exceptional care.

The role includes a manageable 1:2 weekend rota (a mix of night and day shifts, with night shifts running 18:00–06:30 and day shifts covering 12:00–19:00 or 08:00–19:00). You’ll work weekday nights too, but never more than three consecutive nights. The practice actively supports flexibility and part-time arrangements depending on clinic requirements, so genuine work-life balance isn’t just promised—it’s built into how they operate.

You’ll never work in isolation: on every shift, you’ll be supported by a registered vet nurse, an animal care assistant, and a receptionist. The broader Vets Now network means you can reach out to clinics and referral centres across the UK day or night for case discussion and shared learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and uphold clinical standards across the new Stirling clinic, leading by example in emergency situations
• Mentor and support the development of fellow veterinary surgeons and the wider team, identifying growth opportunities and shaping career progression
• Drive clinical quality and innovation, championing service improvements and best-practice sharing
• Lead leadership duties and protected time for clinic meetings and strategic planning
• Support the wellbeing and professional development of your clinical team, fostering a collaborative culture

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (RCVS registered)
• Proven experience in emergency and critical care practice
• Demonstrated clinical leadership or mentorship experience (or clear potential to lead effectively)
• Comfortable with OOH commitments including nights and weekend on-call work
• Strong communication and team-building skills

Benefits

• Salary & Joining Bonus: Up to £85,000 DOE plus £10,000 welcome bonus
• Leave: Seven weeks pro rata annual leave
• CPD & Development: £1,875 CPD allowance plus 35 paid CPD hours (pro rata), plus access to the AdvantEdge clinical training platform and Leadership Development Programme
• Professional Support: RCVS fees, VECCS membership, and VDS cover included
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance and family-friendly policies with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Pension: Standard contributions (5% employee / 3% employer)
• Perks: Up to 50% discount on pet care

About the Practice

Vets Now is a dedicated emergency and critical care provider operating clinics across the UK. The Stirling location represents a significant investment in ECC infrastructure—a large, purpose-built, single-level facility designed with clinical excellence in mind. The organisation prioritises collaborative culture, clinical innovation, and genuine support for its team through a dedicated Support Office in Dunfermline and access to specialist clinical networks.

Vets Now is committed to inclusion and holds Disability Confident Employer status, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and making reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment.