We are looking for an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse to take on the role of Veterinary Nurse/Hospital Manager at Monkey World. This is a full-time position, with over-time to be expected when required. We would also be happy to consider Veterinarians who are interested in wildlife/primate management.

Monkey World is fortunate to have a well-equipped veterinary hospital on-site with a surgical operating theatre, a comprehensive range of anaesthesia to suit the requirements of all the primates in the park and diagnostic facilities, including state of the art digital radiography and a laboratory. This permits us to investigate and treat a range of medical conditions should they arise, without the stress of having to move the patient to an external facility.

Apart from on scheduled procedure days (where a veterinarian is in attendance), you will be the only member of the veterinary team on-site and will be required to regularly liaise with off-site veterinarians to facilitate prescriptions and treatment of the park’s primates. You will also be working closely with our dedicated team of Primate Care Staff, under the direction of the park Director and Animal Director. As the sole member of our on-site veterinary team, you will be responsible for ensuring that the 250+ primates at the park receive the very best veterinary care as and when required, as well for the day-to-day smooth running of our on-site hospital.

Due to the number of different species at the park, and because the majority of our primates are rescued from poor circumstances, you will find this to be a varied and challenging role; no two days are ever the same. The ideal candidate will have a flexible, friendly attitude combined with dedication and commitment to providing the very highest standard of animal welfare and care.

Duties include

• Meeting and consulting with the park Director, Animal Director, off-site vets and Primate Care Staff to discuss treatments, medication and any issues or concerns with regards to our rescued monkeys and apes.
• Daily rounds to check on primates receiving treatment, as well as assessing primates for any new injury/illnesses and discussing progress with Primate Care Staff.
• Liaising with off-site veterinarians to prescribe/arrange treatment for primates. Dispensing and delivering medication to animal houses, to include the recording of all dispensed medication.
• Examining in-house laboratory samples, such as faecal samples for parasitology (experience in microscopy/testing of faecal samples would be highly advantageous). As well as preparing and packaging laboratory samples for submission to external laboratories.
• Training Primate Care Staff to assist with faecal screening to cover your days off/holidays.
• Keeping accurate records of treatment/medication and progress of primates to include updating Tracks and paper hard copies. Including monitoring primate medical sheets, primate weights and entering them into Tracks system, reporting any concerns.
• Responsible for ordering of equipment, pharmaceuticals, and consumables, and ensure stock-taking procedures are well maintained. Ensuring the day to day running of the hospital, that equipment is maintained and serviced as required, and that the facilities are kept clean and tidy. Sorting donated hospital supplies and disposing of excess/unwanted stock.
• Assist and maintain anaesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures alongside the veterinarian. Carry out x-rays when required using on-site digital x-ray.
• Assisting primate care staff with annual Flu vaccinations.
• Joining in with Primate Care Staff husbandry routines, if there are days that it fits into your schedule, to have a better understanding of our rescued monkeys and apes as well as their husbandry routines.

Please Note: This is not a complete list; it is impossible to predict all eventualities and duties due to nature of our rescue and rehabilitation work.

What we’re looking for:

• You’ll have an accredited Veterinary Nursing Certificate or degree and are a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
• The ability to work individually, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team to facilitate the highest standards of veterinary care and animal welfare.
• Demonstrate good organisational and time management skills. As well as effective communicational skills.
• The ability to undertake basic laboratory procedures in-house, such as faecal sample examination.
• Have experience with current anaesthetic and surgical techniques.
• A full driving license.
• Previous experience working with primates, zoo species or wildlife would be advantageous.

For further information or to apply for this position, please send your CV, together with a covering letter via email to: shelley@monkeyworld.org