Veterinary Surgeon (2778)

Do you want to help create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe animal welfare is everyone's welfare. Join us in creating a better world for every animal. We can do it if we work together, everyone for every animal.

Could you be the compassionate and committed Veterinary Surgeon we're looking for? Join our friendly team at Block Fen Animal Centre, located in the beautiful rural surroundings of Cambridgeshire.

Block Fen Animal Centre was built in 2003 and sits on approximately 70 acres just outside the village of Wimblington, near March. We care for a wide range of animals, including:

• Up to 63 dogs, 72 cats, 32 rabbits and a variety of small animals, poultry, and farm animals
• Shifts - Monday  Friday 08.30 - 4.30pm
• Full-time, permanent  - Ideally working 35 hours per week but we are fully open to flex in this and would love to hear from you in you are able to work between 3 - 5 days per week (exc weekends)
• On-site role

Your recruitment journey

Here's what the process looks like, no surprises, just a friendly guide:

1. Application
   Submit your interest via our careers website giving us a sense of your experience, skills, and potential.
2.  Pre-Interview clinical insight visit
   If your application is successful, you'll be invited to visit our Centre Manager and team at Block Fen - this gives you a great opportunity to gain valuable insight into the role and environment.
3. Panel Interview  - This will be with Sally Jones, our amazing Centre Manager and one of our Veterinary team. We'll share further insight into the role and delve a little deeper into your experience and skills through competency based interview questions.  

Need any adjustments during the recruitment process? Just let us know - we're happy to support you.

This role is designed with wellbeing and work - life balance in mind. Hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm, there's no weekend working, making this an excellent opportunity if you're looking for a role that fits around other commitments.

From day one, we want you to feel supported and included. We stay connected through regular check-ins and team meetings, and there's always a colleague nearby for advice, collaboration, or a friendly chat. You'll be part of a team that values respect, kindness, and shared purpose. You'll be supported daily - working closely with our dedicated Veterinary Nurse

You'll oversee the rehabilitation of injured and unwell stray animals, as well as those recovering from cruelty or neglect. You'll demonstrate confident, welfare-led practice across a range of veterinary disciplines.

Your responsibilities include: 

• Sole charge veterinary work
• Shelter medicine
• Neutering, dentals and other surgical procedures
• Supporting the RSPCA Inspectorate with welfare-related cases
• Making informed, compassionate decisions around animal welfare and rehoming, in line with RSPCA policies
• Working collaboratively with non-clinical colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for animals

As a Veterinary Surgeon, your work will be varied, meaningful, and impactful. This is a snapshot of what you might be involved in - for full details, please see the attached job description

• Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• At least 3 years' post-qualification clinical experience
• An Interest or experience in shelter medicine
• Experience as a sole-charge vet, comfortable to take ownership and accountability in decision making
• A practical, welfare-focused approach to veterinary care
• Confidence handling dogs, cats, small mammals, and initial triage of birds or wildlife (expertise not required)
• Clear, compassionate communication skills, with the ability to explain complex clinical and welfare decisions to a wide range of colleagues
• In light of the cruelty and neglect many of our animals experience, strong emotional resilience is vital.

Does this sound a strong match of your skills and experience? Choose a career with us and make a difference.

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 RSPC

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're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. If you share our passion for animal welfare and are excited about contributing your skills in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Everyone, for every animal.

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.