Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature. This is an exciting role to support the development, implementation, and on‑going delivery of animal welfare assessments and related projects and research at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.

• Carry out veterinary nursing duties in support of our animal welfare strategy.
• Provide mentoring and coaching for undergraduate veterinary students and less experienced staff.
• Maintain the integrity of veterinary stock, including sourcing, ordering consumables and equipment held by the veterinary section on either site.
• Day‑to‑day veterinary nursing duties including maintaining medical records, dispensing medications, faecal parasitology and monitoring general anaesthesia of zoo animal cases.
• Work with minimum supervision under Veterinary Surgeon guidance during medical procedural work.
• Act as the first point of contact (primarily for non‑emergency) to triage cases determined on treatment priorities and animal welfare needs, escalating to the veterinary team when required.
• Dispense drugs, run in‑house lab samples, carry out x‑rays and perform day‑to‑day administrative tasks.
• Actively involved with designing and implementing animal training plans, such as hand injections to take blood from an animal consciously.

• RCVS‑recognised veterinary nursing qualification and able to give reliable advice on veterinary nursing aspects of animal health and welfare to the veterinary team as required.
• Working knowledge of veterinary legislation and best practice.
• Veterinary Nursing Certificate, Level 3, and a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Post Level 3 Nursing qualifications in a zoo or related discipline.
• Knowledge and understanding of zoological legislation and best practice.
• Broad experience of working practically with animals in a zoo environment to make sound professional decisions about the welfare of animals.

• Starting pro‑rated salary of £28,037 or £28,738 (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £31,250 per annum.
• 37.5‑hour working week (may require some weekend working).
• 34 days annual leave (pro‑rata).
• Discounts in retail and catering.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Employer contributory pension scheme.
• Staff membership giving free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other zoos across the UK.

This role is fixed term for 3 months. The role is subject to standard pre‑employment checks, including the candidate’s right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check. Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.

If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now
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