Role profile: Veterinary Surgeon   

Hours: 15 hours per week across 2 days    Salary: £58,800 (pro-rata)

Annual leave allowance: 28 days including bank holidays (pro-rata)

Location: The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, Cambridge, Gloucestershire.

Contract: Permanent, subject to 6-month probationary period.

Introduction

The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home opened in September 2016 and since then we have supported more than 6000 animals through our Rehoming and Welfare Services.  As the leading animal rescue charity in Gloucestershire, we care for hundreds of abandoned, abused and neglected animals each year and find them loving new families.   We provide low cost veterinary schemes to families and their pets to ensure that no animal goes without veterinary treatment due to financial restrictions. 

We are a small and friendly team who thrive on a passion for Animal Welfare and providing outstanding care to all our service users, especially our animals.  We know that our charity is defined by our people and we are dedicated to investing in our employee’s long-term career development and success, equipping our team with all the tools to develop professionally.

Summary

Our vision is that no vulnerable animal in our community is without a safe space or access to veterinary care due to financial restrictions. As our charity grows our ambition is to develop our veterinary offering and support more animals in our community. 

Our small veterinary team, will comprise of two part time veterinary surgeons and a veterinary nurse and will oversee the successful delivery and development of our veterinary activities and demonstrate a shared vision and commitment to positively impact animal welfare in our area. 

As a key member of the Operational team, the Veterinary Surgeon will ensure the highest standards of veterinary welfare for our resident animals and external welfare clients, in line with the charity's core values and objectives.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the post holder will be highly organised, a strong communicator and an inspirational leader, committed to providing the best possible welfare within our resources.

Key objectives and responsibilities

• Progress and develop our veterinary welfare standards and supporting policies and procedures to that of exemplar status, in line with our charitable objectives and budgets.
• Maintain a current and progressive knowledge of animal welfare and surrounding topics in order to position CDCH as a leading animal welfare charity.
• Support the development of our community welfare services in order to positively impact on animal welfare in our area.
• Working collaboratively with the Operations team, develop and implement robust and ethical decision-making processes to support the safe rehoming and welfare of our animals in line with CDCH’s values and behaviours.
• Provide operational decision making and direction on specific veterinary issues including appropriate referrals.
• Understand and comply with your legal obligations in relation to prescription, safe keeping and supply of Veterinary medicinal products.
• Maintain personal CPD as per RCVS guidelines.
• Lead and line manage the Veterinary Nurse.
• Provide expert advice and training to the Veterinary Nurse and Animal Care team.
• Ensure that all treatment given is in line with informed consent and in accordance with UK legislation and RCVS guide to professional conduct.
• Price all welfare cases in line with CDCH protocols and inform the client of potential cost prior to treatment commencing.
• Ensure that all patient information, treatment and diagnostic reports are recorded into the Animal Management system.
• Work closely with the Inspectors, and other RSPCA vets regarding Case animals including providing reports and potential court attendance.
• Maintain an effective rota and annual leave system for the Veterinary team.
• Assist with recruitment within your department areas.

Skills/Experience

• MRCVS Registered
• 3 years’ experience or more in a clinical practice
• Demonstrate competence across all veterinary disciplines, including;
• Routine soft tissue surgery such as neutering and lump removals 
• Dentistry
• Competent sole charge.
• Empathetic and pragmatic approach to shelter medicine and clients
• Ability to provide cover for team on leave/attending training as and when required

Desirable:

• Experience of practicing in a shelter/rescue environment
• Experience of performing routine surgeries on exotics.

Your commitment to CDCH

Boundaries and behaviours: Observe professional integrity in relationships with staff, clients and other partner agencies.

Health & Safety: Be responsible for your health and safety and that of colleagues.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Be committed to helping to build an organisation that respects and values the diversity of all.

Confidentiality: Treat all information acquired through the course of your employment as confidential and comply with all the appropriate policies, systems and procedures.

Benefits

• Contributary pension
• Annual CPD allowance – £1000 pro rata
• 5 days CPD pro-rata
• RCVS registration fees covered by the charity
• 28 days annual leave including bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Pet Plan insurance discount
• Discount in CDCH charity shops
• No out of hour/on call requirement

Closing date: Friday 26^th April 2024. The interviews will be held week commencing 29^th April 2024

Please complete an application form and send along with your CV and covering letter to:Amy.Souster@cdch.org.uk