Have you dreamed of working in ECC? Do you thrive in emergency situations? Do you want to enable the provision of world class care 24/7? If you said YES, YES and YES, then keep reading. 

At Village Vets, we take pride in our dedication to delivering the highest standards of veterinary care and with the opening of Ashbourne 24hrs we will be able to continue to deliver Village Vets care throughout the nights and on weekends. 

As a valued ECC Vet, you will have a strong desire to work in emergency care service. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, hard-working, and a team player. In Village Vets we strive to provide the best standard of care to our patients and the best service to our clients. We are proud to support our staff with a comprehensive CPD program and we welcome and encourage any interest in further education. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of our brand new Out of Hours emergency care service, allowing us to provide 24/7 care to our patients. 

 

Job Purpose: Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Surgeon 

At Village Vets, we are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of veterinary care to our patients and providing exceptional support to their owners. As an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Surgeon, your primary purpose is to lead the diagnosis, treatment, and management of critically ill and injured animals, ensuring they receive compassionate and effective care during their most vulnerable moments. 

You will play a pivotal role in providing 24hr emergency care, and stabilising and treating critical patients while upholding the values of excellence and empathy that define Village Vets. By working collaboratively with a skilled and supportive team, you will ensure the well-being of our patients, build trust with their families, and contribute to advancing the overall standard of care within our practice. 

This role requires a commitment to professional growth, teamwork, and the delivery of exceptional veterinary medicine to ensure every patient receives the best possible outcomes. 

This night ECC Vet role will allow you to have a great working life balance with a rota of 7 on 14 off at a very competitive salary. 

 

Job Type: Full-time 

Pay: €70,000.00-€85,000.00 per year 

 

Benefits: 

• Bike to work scheme
• Company events
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Store discount
• Great work life balance with 7 days on and 14 days off rotas
• Holidays are pro rata and included in base salary
• CPD encouraged, with certificates supported and funded In-house training
• Professional fees paid for VCI and VDS
• Gym contributions, health plan, and cycle-to-work scheme
• On-site parking

 

Schedule: 

• Night shift 

 

Ability to commute/relocate: 

• Ashbourne, CO. Meath: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred) 

 

Application question(s): 

• Do you have previous experience working in an ECC clinic? 

 

Experience: 

• Veterinary: 3 years (preferred) 

 

Work authorisation: 

• Ireland (required) 

 

Work Location: In person 

 

Key Responsibilities of an Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Surgeon: 

• Patient Assessment and Triage: 

• Rapidly assess incoming emergency cases to prioritise treatment based on the severity of the condition. 

• Perform thorough physical examinations and develop initial diagnostic and treatment plans. 

• Critical Decision-Making: 

• Make prompt decisions in life-threatening situations, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients. 

• Evaluate risks and benefits to determine the most appropriate interventions. 

• Emergency Procedures and Treatments: 

• Perform lifesaving procedures, such as wound management, stabilisation of trauma patients, CPR, and surgical interventions. 

• Administer emergency therapies, including blood transfusions, oxygen therapy, and pain management. 

 

Diagnostic Workups: 

• Perform and interpret diagnostic tests, including blood work, imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound), and urinalysis. 

• Develop differential diagnoses and adjust treatment plans based on test results. 

• Surgical Expertise: 

• Safely induce and manage anaesthesia in critical patients. 

• Perform emergency surgeries, such as exploratory laparotomies, GDV surgery, gastrotomy and enterotomies, splenectomy, and trauma repair. 

• Ensure aseptic technique and patient stability during and after surgery. 

 

Intensive Patient Management: 

• Oversee and guide the care of critically ill patients requiring continuous monitoring and support. 

• Design and implement individualized treatment protocols, including fluid therapy, nutritional support, and medication administration. 

• Place and manage feeding tubes (oesophagostomy or nasogastric) to ensure adequate nutrition for patients unable to eat. 

• Insert and monitor chest drains for the management of pleural effusion or pneumothorax. 

• Place and manage urinary catheters to monitor output and address issues such as urinary obstruction. 

• Client Communication and Support: 

• Communicate complex medical information and treatment plans to pet owners in a compassionate and clear manner. 

• Provide emotional support and guidance to clients facing difficult decisions regarding their pet’s care. 

 

Team Leadership and Collaboration: 

• Lead the veterinary team during emergencies, delegating tasks effectively and ensuring cohesive team performance. 

• Collaborate with nurses and ACAs to deliver comprehensive patient care. 

• Record Keeping and Documentation: 

• Maintain detailed and accurate medical records for all patients. 

• Document diagnostic findings, treatments, and client communications for legal and continuity of care purposes. 

 

Equipment and Facility Management: 

• Ensure the availability and functionality of emergency and critical care equipment, such as ventilators, defibrillators, and monitors. 

• Monitor inventory of medications and supplies to maintain readiness for emergencies. 

 

Education and Mentorship: 

• Provide training and guidance to junior veterinarians, nurses, and support staff if required. 

• Stay updated on advancements in emergency and critical care medicine through continuing education and professional development. 

 

Ethical and Compassionate Decision-Making: 

• Balance clinical decisions with ethical considerations, focusing on the welfare and quality of life of patients. 

• Offer humane end-of-life care and support when appropriate. 

 

Team Collaboration: 

• Work collaboratively with the clinic team to ensure patients and clients receive compassionate, high-quality care. 

 

Clinic Operations: 

• Help maintain the clinic’s cleanliness, appearance, and daily operations to Village Vets’ standards. 

• Ensure all billing is accurate and appropriately priced. 

 

Professional Development and Compliance: 

• Maintain active membership with the VCI and stay informed on veterinary legislation in Ireland. 

• Adhere to the VCI Guide to Professional Conduct and meet CPD requirements to ensure professional growth. 

• Uphold behaviour that inspires confidence in the veterinary profession among clients, team members, and the public. 

 

Administrative duties: 

• Complete referral letters and accompanying medical histories. 

• Prepare all relevant paperwork for external laboratories. 

• Complete insurance claim forms when necessary. 

 

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Perform ad hoc veterinary or administrative tasks as directed 

• Complete all duties efficiently and accurately while fostering a positive client experience across the team. 

 

While at work all staff are required to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions & co-operate with Village Vets policies and procedures. 

 

Knowledge & Skills 

Essential Professional/Technical Qualification 

• Current registration with VCI 
• MVB or Equivalent 
• 3+ years post-graduation experience in small animal care 

Desirable 

Further qualification specific to ECC 

 

Experience & Skills 

• Triage Management: Recognising and prioritising cases based on severity and urgency 
• Diagnostic Expertise: Ability to quickly assess and diagnose a wide range of conditions under pressure, often with limited information or resources. 
• Interpreting diagnostic tools (radiographs, ultrasound, blood work, etc.). 
• Surgical Proficiency: Competence in emergency procedures such as: 
• Wound repair 
• GDV, splenectomy, exploratory laparotomy 
• Penetrating foreign bodies 

 

Emergency Stabilisation Skills: 

• Proficient in advanced life support (e.g., CPR, fluid therapy, oxygen delivery). 
• Familiarity with managing shock, haemorrhage, seizures, collapse and respiratory distress. 
• Management of metabolic emergencies e.g DKA, urethral obstruction 
• management of poisonings. 
• Pharmacology Knowledge: Understanding emergency medications, and dosages 
• Clear and Compassionate Communication: 
• Explaining diagnoses, treatment plans, and costs under emotional circumstances. 
• Providing clear updates and discharge instructions 
• Previous experience working in a busy emergency hospital and/or in a referral hospital 

 

Personal Qualities 

• Dealing with Emotional Situations 
• Supporting distressed pet owners with empathy. 
• Delivering difficult news with sensitivity. 
• Excellent standard of personal presentation. 
• Professional, progressive approach to clinical diagnostics, treatment and care. 
• Self-motivated to work independently without constant supervision. 
• Trustworthy with a conscious approach to work. 

If you would like to know more about our amazing veterinary team, please call us for an informal chat or apply now! 

 

NB: This job description is developed to help you gain a better understanding of the job role and is by no means exhaustive.