We are looking for a veterinary surgeon to work in our flagship charity Hospital and Animal Centre with an interest in welfare work. 12 month temporary full-time, veterinary surgeon maternity cover position but part-time applicants may be considered.

The Practice
The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in England and Wales. Our purpose is to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate suffering of all animals. 

The Hospital is based in a lovely rural setting, has excellent motorway access and is 20 minutes drive from central Birmingham. The 72 acre site was subject to a £13M investment in 2011 to create a flagship Hospital and Animal Centre.

Our Hospital consists of a friendly and enthusiastic team of 6.5 vets, 20 RVNs and 9 support staff.

The Role
This is a shelter medicine based role and comprises of nearly 100% small animal companion work (with a small amount of wildlife). We a looking for a vet that is confident in routine small animal surgery and an interest in welfare work.

As a team we all enjoy working to a high welfare standard and feeling that we are working for the benefit of the patient first and foremost. 

The work consists of:

• Rescue and rehabilitation of injured/ ill strays
• Shelter medicine/ surgery for the onsite animal rehoming centre
• Welfare case work for the RSPCA Inspectorate
• Surgical referrals for surrounding RSPCA branches
• Wildlife triage
• Subsidised service for low-income clients

The main bulk of work consists of 80% welfare work and only 20% general public work.  Public clients are on means tested benefits and generally very appreciative of the service we provide.

Clinically the work principally focuses on shelter medicine, emergency trauma, surgical (orthopedic), and diagnostics.  We currently have 3 vets working towards medical and surgical certificates and previously had ophthalmology, surgery and cardiology certificates completed whilst working with us.  The work consists of a different, interesting and variable case load.

Working hours: 35 hour working week, between 8am to 4pm for day shifts, (quiet on-call commitments: 1:5 late shift/on-call weekday and 1:6 weekends to be worked according to an OOH rota (with 2 rostered days after the weekend).  This all provides for a great work life balance.

Closing date: Monday 25th February (this maybe brought forward if a suitable applicant is found)

Successful Candidate
If you want to diversify away from private practice work, are interested in animal welfare and shelter medicine with 2 or more years experience then this may be the ideal role for you.

The Package
Starting salary (£37,948.88) additional 4% shift allowance (based on starting salary, currently £1,517.96), standby allowance (25% of hourly rate) and claimable on-call allowance (variable and dependant if called out to hospital).  Allowances equate to a significant annual increase to the basic salary.

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (time back for any BH worked)

Closing date: Monday 25th February (this maybe brought forward if a suitable applicant is found)

Please go to the RSPCA job vacancies website to download a full job description and application form: https://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/jobs/jobvacancies  We cannot accept CVs without a fully completed application form.