Night Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Looking for a night role that gives you plenty of time away from work without compromising on salary?

Links Veterinary Group is looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our established out-of-hours team in East Lothian. This is a fantastic opportunity for a vet who enjoys emergency and critical care, is confident making clinical decisions overnight and wants the benefits of a dedicated night position with a genuinely attractive work-life balance. Although the average working hours are 31.75 hours per week, this role is offered on a full-time salary, meaning you can enjoy a full-time package alongside a rota that gives you significant time away from work.

You’ll manage a varied emergency and critical care caseload overnight, caring for patients from our own practices as well as a local veterinary practice. You’ll have the autonomy to make clinical decisions and manage cases confidently, supported by an experienced night nursing team.

Flexibility that fits your lifestyle

The rota is designed around 4 nights on, followed by 8 nights off, giving you a substantial block of time away from work after every run of nights. You’ll work 12-hour night shifts, with a contracted average of 28.07 hours per week and an average of 31.75 hours per week when holiday cover is included. When covering annual leave, the rota moves to 6 nights on followed by 6 nights off.

The real benefit is the amount of stand-down time built into the rota. Following four consecutive nights, you have eight nights away from work before returning to your next block. This gives you genuine flexibility to make the most of your time off, whether that’s travelling, spending time with family, pursuing interests outside of work or simply having proper recovery time between night blocks. You’ll also be joining an established team of 3 experienced Night Veterinary Surgeons, providing continuity, shared knowledge and a strong support network of nurses.

About the Team & Facilities

Links Veterinary Group is a progressive, well-equipped practice with the facilities to support a high standard of emergency and critical care. You’ll have access to a dedicated imaging suite with ultrasound and X-ray, two fully equipped surgical theatres, a purpose-built dental suite and an in-house laboratory for rapid diagnostics. The practice also has dedicated kennel and cattery facilities, observation kennels for close monitoring of inpatients and isolation facilities, allowing you to manage a wide range of emergency cases appropriately throughout the night.

You’ll work closely with a skilled night nursing team, with the facilities and equipment to support everything from emergency assessment and diagnostics through to surgery, inpatient monitoring and ongoing critical care. Clear handovers to the daytime team ensure continuity for every patient.

Location & Culture

Based in East Lothian, Links Veterinary Group offers the opportunity to combine an interesting and varied emergency caseload with life in one of Scotland’s most attractive areas. You’ll be close to the beautiful East Lothian coastline and countryside, while Edinburgh is within easy reach, giving you the best of both worlds.

The culture at Links is centred around supportive teamwork, clinical autonomy and high standards of patient care. You’ll have the independence to make decisions overnight while knowing you’re part of an experienced wider team that values collaboration and shared learning.

Whether you’re an experienced ECC vet looking for a role with greater autonomy or a confident GP vet wanting to develop further in emergency and critical care, this is a role that offers interesting clinical work, excellent facilities, a supportive team and an exceptional amount of time away from work – all on a full-time salary!

How We’ll Support You

We’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

* Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
* Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
* £1,250 Annual Care Fund for every vet
* Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
* Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
* A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

* 6.8 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
* Private medical insurance
* Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
* BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
* Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
* Retail discounts and cashback offers
* Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets