Raystede is a unique and forward-thinking multi-species animal charity that has an exciting opportunity for a new Head Veterinary Surgeon.
This role provides a fantastic pathway into bolstering experience of practice management, shelter medicine, and sole charge work. It will support Raystede in its aims to give animals a better life through rehoming, rehabilitation and sanctuary, and give people the support and knowledge they need to treat animals with care and respect. With passionate teams, a wide variety of animals, high welfare standards, and a drive to find as many animals as possible new homes, this is a rare opportunity not to be missed.
As the Head Veterinary Surgeon you will be expected to lead the day to day running of our veterinary surgery, ensuring it is adequately staffed with the mix of people you feel will best support Raystede’s needs. The Head Veterinary Surgeon will be responsible for managing and supporting the veterinary team that enables our work, including volunteers and locum staff as required. The client base is primarily internal, supporting the animals that we accept for rehoming or that live with us in sanctuary. Most interaction with animals not owned by Raystede will be with animals rehomed by us that need to return for agreed procedures or treatments, as part of our veterinary community days, or on occasions where we agree to provide emergency treatment that cannot be supported elsewhere. You will also be part of supporting animals being cared for on our Break Away scheme where we find temporary foster homes for animals belonging to people fleeing domestic abuse, or unable to find care for them due to short term hospital stays.
The majority of the clinical workload will be in response to the needs of our most commonly rehomed species those being dogs, cats, rabbits, other small animals, and chickens. However, we do also have large numbers of chelonia, exotic birds, and other fowl on site. Experience with the more exotic species is something you will be supported in building, and we also have access to specialist external vets to assist and advise with those animals. Most work within the practice is supported by a single experienced veterinary nurse however there is also access to casual Animal Nursing Assistants and other resources that may assist if necessary. Surgery is typically routine in nature. More complex cases are considered on a case-by-case basis, with the option to engage with external support if that is the best choice in the circumstances. Raystede also rehomes equines, sheep, goats, and alpaca which are currently all supported by an external large animal veterinary practice so experience with those species is not necessary for this role.
The Head Veterinary Surgeon holds the Surgery budget, playing an important part in setting this annually. They are also responsible for ordering and buying products for use in the practice, securing them cost effectively. The post holder will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and legislation that relates to running the practice, as well as ensuring the practice is a safe environment in which to work.
Reporting to the Head of Operations, the Head Veterinary Surgeon will also play a key part in advising the senior management team and Chief Executive on animal welfare matters. They will also lead the development of procedures and policies relating to veterinary care within Raystede. A generous CPD budget is offered with the role, with development seen as a key part of Raystede’s culture. At Raystede we live our values of being inspiring, professional, passionate, committed, and caring and compassionate.
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