Part time | Saturdays & Sundays | £29.57 p/hour | Closing date: Saturday 31 October 2026
The Role
We are recruiting for a Veterinary Surgeon to work at venues across Scotland. As part of the collection team, this role involves working at donation sessions where lifesaving blood is collected from dogs. You will ensure all donations are performed in line with our standard operating procedures, maintaining high welfare standards whilst working alongside Veterinary Nurses and Donor Assistants. There is the potential to meet up to 23 donors and their owners at each session. The role is key to ensuring successful donation sessions and providing a positive experience for all our donors and their owners.
We are looking for a Veterinary Surgeon to cover Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee. A willingness to travel is essential as there may be times you are asked to work across the entire region.
Background
Launched in 2007, Pet Blood Bank UK is the only charity that provides a blood bank service for all vets across the UK. As part of our charitable remit, our aim is to advance animal health and welfare and to relieve suffering by providing quick and convenient access to blood. Every unit of blood helps save up to four other lives, saving thousands of lives every year.
Our values
Caring. Pioneering. Real. These are the values Pet Blood Bank UK is built upon. Our values bind us together as a charity and guide everything we do. We expect every team member to know, understand and embody our values, helping to build our reputation as a pioneering, caring and practical charity. Read more about our values.
What you'll do
- Overall supervision of blood donation sessions, the collection team, and volunteers
- Physical examination of blood donors
- Ensure owners of donors are fully aware of the blood donation procedure
- Perform donor blood sample collection
- Ensure donor records are completed correctly and in full
- Ensure a positive experience for the donor and owner from start to finish
- Assist with and support the training of new team members and ensure all training records are completed
- Opportunity to attend events to promote Pet Blood Bank and recruit donors.
What we need
We're looking for someone who is:
- Qualified MRCVS with current RCVS registration
- Minimum 1 year post-graduation small animal clinical experience
- An excellent communicator with strong customer care skills
- Confident working in a small team and with the ability to lead/direct those working with you.
- Is organised, pro-active and team orientated.
- Has the ability to problem solve, has good organisation skills and attention to detail.
- Is confident in blood sampling with owners present.
- Availability on Saturdays and Sundays
- Holds a full UK driving licence and has access to their own transport.
- Applicants should be located within the Central belt meet the requirements of the role.
To ensure you can complete the required training we may arrange for you to attend some sessions outside of the region, mileage allowance and accommodation will be organised where required.
What's in it for you
In return, we offer full training and a great team working environment.
The rate of pay is £29.57/hour and a mileage allowance of 35p/mile offered for travel to and from venues.
Recruitment Process
We want to make sure this is the right opportunity for you, just as much as we want to ensure you're the right fit for our team. Our recruitment process consists of three stages:
The closing date for applications is 31st October 2026.
Stage 1 – Telephone Interview
Week commencing: 2nd November 2026
You'll have an informal telephone conversation with the Regional Coordinator for your area. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you, discuss your previous experience, tell you more about the role, and answer any questions you may have. It's also a chance for you to decide whether the position is the right fit for you.
Stage 2 – Taster Session
Available dates: 15th November (FK6), 21st November (G61), 29th November 2026 (KA7)
Candidates who progress to the next stage will be invited to attend one of our Donation sessions. This gives you the opportunity to see the role in action, meet the team, and experience what it's like to work with us. Please note that you must be able to attend one of the advertised taster session dates to be considered for the role.
Stage 3 – Values-Based Interview
Week commencing: 30th November 2026
The final stage is a values-based interview with the Regional Coordinator and Area Manager conducted on Microsoft Teams. This interview focuses on your values, behaviours and approach to supporting others, helping us understand how you would fit within our team and organisation.
Training Commitment
Successful candidates will be required to complete our induction and training programme before working independently.
The training consists of:
- Online training, which should be completed within one month of receiving access. Please note that this online training is currently unpaid.
- Practical training, where you'll attend one or two sessions within a three-month period. These sessions are designed to give you the experience, confidence and support needed to become fully trained in the role.
Once you have successfully completed your training, you'll have the flexibility to choose when you work, based on the sessions available.
To ensure you maintain your skills, ideally you will work a minimum of 12 donation sessions per year, however more are encouraged. We understand availability can vary over time and advise you to speak to your regional coordinator if you have any concerns surrounding your availability.
Ongoing training and development
Once you are fully trained and working independently, you’ll continue to receive regular training and updates to help you keep your knowledge and skills up to date and feel confident in the role.
This includes:
- Quarterly online training updates to keep you up to date with any changes and developments.
- An annual training review, which provides an opportunity to refresh your knowledge, review your skills and make sure you feel confident and supported in your role. This annual review is a paid training commitment.
- Occasional additional online updates where an urgent or important change needs to be shared between the regular quarterly updates.
These updates are designed to be straightforward and accessible, helping you stay informed and confident in your role while ensuring we continue to provide a safe and consistent experience for our donors.
Further details
Sessions are approximately 8 hours in length and flexibility is essential as start and finish times will be dependent upon the location of the venue. Pet Blood Bank envisage that you will work approximately 1 session a month, however there may be the option to work more.
Own transport is required to get to venues - please note not all are accessible by public transport.
Before applying, please read our Guidance for Candidates.
For more information or to request a full job description, please email recruitment@petbloodbankuk.org.
To apply, please complete our application form and email it to recruitment@petbloodbankuk.org.
