Veterinary Surgeon (1963)

Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal – as well as pets, that includes farmed animals, wildlife, and animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.

We are hiring a Vet Surgeon to join the Wildlife Centre team reporting to the Centre's Senior Veterinary Surgeon.

• Working week: 35 hours per week including late shifts (up to 9pm) and 1 in 3 weekends. 
• On-site role: RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, Stapeley Grange, London Road, Nantwich CW5 7JW

It's important to us that you feel part of our team from the start. We like to keep in touch with regular check-ins and team meetings. There's always a teammate around for support or a quick chat.

Are you ready to join our movement?

Here at RSPCA, we know it's a cliche but no two days are the same, as a Veterinary Surgeon at Stapeley Grange, we've added a summary of what a typical day might look like. Please also find attached a job description.

Stapeley Grange is one of four RSPCA wildlife centres based in England that supports the rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated wildlife.

We admit animals from a large area across the north of England. Prior to Covid 19 and Avian Influenza, we admitted over 6,000 wild, exotic and domestic patients per year.

We take a holistic and team-based approach to individual animal treatment and recognise the importance of committing as much time as we can to focussing on the welfare of the animals that come into our care. This means that you get to work with some amazing, passionate, and supportive team members to focus on what is best for the animals you see. 

As part of that team, you will be:

• Treating wild, exotic and a small number of domestics in RSPCA Care.
• Undertaking a very varied and interesting caseload from seals, swans, falcons to bats, pigeons and swifts.  The centre can admit up to 120 different species a year.
• Undertaking a wide variety of surgical and medical interventions for the animals in our care 
• Providing veterinary opinion and support for welfare prosecution cases (training will be provided)
• Inputting on the development and implementation of RSPCA policies relating to wild animal rehabilitation and care, including following a structured decision-making process (training will be provided)
• Supporting the wider veterinary and wildlife rehabilitation sector with advice, guidance and training.

This role allows you to have a unique role working with the animals on site, from admission and triage, through rehabilitation to release (or rehoming), enabling a full case continuity. This role also provides access to the wider RSPCA Vet teams, allowing the potential for further opportunities and visits to other centres.

We're looking for a pragmatic vet with experience working in a clinical setting with wildlife and/or exotic pets or zoo species. The role would be suited to candidates who additionally have an interest in animal welfare work and shelter medicine. Stapeley Grange supports and delivers a number of teaching and training initiatives across the veterinary, nursing and rehabilitation sectors, so you'll benefit having an interest in teaching,  as well as being a good communicator and enjoying working as part of a team.

You will need:

• Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Previous clinical experience and/or additional qualifications in wildlife medicine would be advantageous 
• The ability to work efficiently, safely and well under time pressures (particularly as the caseload is very seasonal.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA.

We offer a wide range of benefits to recognise your contributions at RSPCA including;

• CPD/ VDS & MRCVS: RSPCA offer 5 days CPD + £1000 CPD allowance (pro rata) and are looking to offer additional professional development and funding after a qualifying period.  Payment for VDS and MRCVS registration fee.

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible.

We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to achieving our core mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA.

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.