Veterinary Surgeon

We have an opening for a Veterinary Surgeon to join us on a fixed term contract for up to 14 months and on a full-time time basis working 5 days (35 hours) per week.

The week consists of working seven hour shifts; 8:00 hrs to 15:30 hrs for day shifts, and 14:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs for evening shifts (with on call shifts for inpatients).  1:7 weekends with the following Monday and Tuesday off.

Veterinary Surgeons work directly with animals most in need and victims of cruelty and neglect.  We work with our  Inspectors, animal centres, branches and other charities providing essential veterinary care and advice in our region. We also offer a theatre referral service for the region for RSPCA animals at other centres and partner charities.  We also provide outreach support to companion animals kept in private boarding before they come into RSPCA animal centres. 

About Us

Newbrook Animal Hospital is located in a charming rural setting amongst 70 acres of countryside, has excellent motorway access and is 20 minutes drive from central Birmingham. It consists of a friendly and enthusiastic team of ten Veterinary Surgeons, twenty-two RVNs and nine support staff. The team are extremely passionate about personal development, and are always striving to ensure a thriving and supportive environment.  For example, we have 15 minute morning vet rounds everyday Monday to Friday for any cases the vets would like to discuss and a weekly 10 minute morning Hospital meeting for updates.

Do you have any questions and want to get an honest feel for the work that we do?  Why not ask Chloe, one of our most recent Vets who joined our team? If you would prefer to talk to one of our longer stay Vets then we can arrange that too! You can contact us via email: vetsnewbrook@rspca.org.uk  and in the subject area put ‘Chat with Chloe' or if you prefer, ‘Chat with one of the Vet team'.

We are planning to hold interviews on the 10th and 15th July, however If you can't make these dates please still get in touch.

What you'll be doing as an RSPCA Vet:

• Working to a high welfare and clinical standard and knowing that we are working for the benefit of our animal patients first and foremost.  Triaging injured victims of cruelty and injured animals. Our workload has a large theatre bias.  You will be performing routine operations such as neutering, dentals, amputations, cardiac ultrasounds and imaging.  We also carry out eye enucleations, conjunctival grafts, BOAS, VBO's, orthopaedics such as FHNE, cruciate, patella surgery, limb fracture and jaw repairs.   The Hospital takes surgical referrals from a wide geographical area from RSPCA branches and animal centres. We have experienced Vets who can train, mentor and support you with multiple certificate holders being part of the team.  We all work together to support each other with growth, learning and development as a Veterinary Surgeon. Vets support RSPCA Inspectors with cruelty cases.  This is a very rewarding part of the job where you will make a huge difference to animals' lives that are in real need of help.  This requires report writing, but full training and support is given for this type of work.  Some travel is involved to our regional centres in supporting the veterinary care at these sites and for case work with the Inspectors. You will also be working closely with many teams within the RSPCA providing guidance on rehoming decisions of RSPCA animals whilst working to shelter medicine principles (for example icatcare / ISFM principles). Engaging with projects such as trap, neuter and release of feral cats with partner charities.

What we are looking for in you:

• MRCVS registered;
• Really enjoys working as part of a team;
• Has some clinical experience;
• Enjoys routine surgery and dentistry;
• Happy to make pragmatic decisions;
• Happy to undertake off site visits;
• Able to organise and prioritise a surgical workload;
• Has an interest in the shelter medicine charity sector or previous experience of charity work.

However don't worry if you don't tick every box, we'd still love to hear from you!

Why work for the RSPCA

It's an exciting time to join us in the decade of our bicentenary as we focus on our Strategy to 2030. We value and recognise that our staff work hard and care deeply for the animals they care for but that they also need to maintain a work life balance as well.  We are proud to offer an extensive benefits package. To give you a idea of what is on offer, here are some of the excellent benefits available: 

• Great annual leave benefits: All staff receive 25 days annual leave (pro rata) on entry plus an additional Society day around Christmas.  Annual leave rises to 30 days after five years service; Generous pension scheme: We also offer a generous pension scheme with associated life assurance and a group income protection scheme;  CPD: The RSPCA offers 5 days CPD + £1000 CPD allowance (pro rata).  There is also additional financial support for certificates and masters courses in relevant subject areas for those who want to pursue this; VDS and MRCVS registration fees paid annually.

Healthcare & Wellbeing: RSPCA also recognise that Healthcare & Wellbeing are extremely important to having a happy team, we offer access to private healthcare schemes and an employee assistance programme which gives you access to support 24 hours a day.