Alison Main BVMS, MRCVS
Northwich,Cheshire
Summary
Enthusiastic and committed small animal veterinarian with over 27 years in the profession in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Experience in multiple practices ranging from sole-charge locum, to Acting Head Veterinarian in a large veterinary hospital. Proven track record in managing branch practices and shelter hospitals, staff administration, and veterinary student and nurse training. Recognised for a strong work ethic, good interpersonal and organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively as part of a large team and independently.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Veterinarian (permanent part-time)
Central Vet Hospital
Wellington, New Zealand
02.2021 - 03.2024
- Developed loyal personal client base in one of Wellington's best-regarded and busiest small animal hospitals.
- Supported new and recent graduates.
- Integral member of a highly effective, supportive and enjoyable team.
Acting Head Veterinarian/Veterinary Advisor
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Wellington, New Zealand
02.2019 - 02.2024
- Handpicked to take on the role of Acting Head Veterinarian for extended period having demonstrated qualities required. Transitioned into ongoing Veterinary Advisor role following completion of contract.
- Veterinary Lead and departmental spokesperson in the Senior Leadership Team for Wellington and the lower North Island region.
- Led team of veterinarians and nurses providing both first opinion private practice and busy shelter medicine/animal welfare work; line manager for Team Lead direct reports in Animal Care Teams in multiple centres.
- Demonstrated organisational and management skills through creating and implementing protocols and procedures during Covid-19 pandemic that were subsequently adopted nationally.
- Solution-focused in managing over 300 animals in pandemic temporary foster care, overseeing first-opinion lockdown cases whilst supporting and leading team of very stretched staff.
- Responsible for Protocols and Procedures; mentoring of new and recent veterinary graduates; rostering; interviewing and hiring vets, nurses and Animal Care Team members; managing Performance Improvement Plans.
- Handled media and client enquiries; engaged with private veterinary practices across NZ in rolling out Trap-Neuter-Return programme.
Veterinarian
Wadestown Veterinary Clinic
Wellington, New Zealand
06.2017 - 07.2019
- Established monthly practice newsletters to enhance communication and bond clients to practice.
- Streamlined consults and in-patient management through modernisation of practice procedures.
Locum Veterinarian
Various
Hong Kong
06.2013 - 01.2017
- Team member, sole charge and emergency locum provision for some of the best-known and well-equipped small animal practices in Hong Kong, during which I actively supported and mentored new and recent graduates.
Senior Associate Veterinarian
Stanley Veterinary Centre
Stanley, Hong Kong
12.2005 - 03.2013
- High-end first opinion and cardiology referral practice.
- Established monthly practice newsletters to enhance communication and bond clients to practice.
- Established puppy training classes.
Senior Veterinarian
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Wanchai, Hong Kong
07.2001 - 11.2005
- Senior Veterinary Surgeon in multi-centre, 19-vet small animal/exotic hospital practice with a heavy medical, surgical and welfare caseload.
- Responsible for managing and rostering team; handling enquiries and complaints; Veterinary Assistant training, mentoring students, coordinating and delivering continuing education lectures; representing the SPCA in animal welfare prosecutions.
- Established successful new sole charge branch practice, developing skills in practice and staff management, stock control and budgeting.
Locum veterinarian
Various
UK
04.2000 - 06.2001
- Short and long-term locum provision for both sole charge and teams in Surrey, East Sussex, Kent and Leicestershire.
Veterinarian
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Hong Kong
08.1998 - 03.2000
- Small animal/exotic multi-centre first opinion and animal welfare hospital.
- Extensive experience in delivering high-quality, high-volume (HQHV) spay/neuter provision in static centres and dedicated mobile desexing vehicle.
Veterinarian
Robson and Prescott
Morpeth, Northumberland
09.1997 - 08.1998
- Traditional mixed practice covering small and large animals, and equine.
- Comfortable managing sole charge branch practices and OOH.
Education
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery -
The University of Glasgow
09.1992 - 07.1997
Skills
- Strong work ethic
- Compassionate care
- Empathetic communication
- Mentoring and management
- Experience with multiple veterinary software programmes
- Decades of high-quality high-volume neutering experience
Certification
- Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK (current)
- Registered Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Council of New Zealand (current)
- Registered Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong
- Member of the New Zealand Veterinary Association
- Life Member of the Hong Kong Veterinary Association
- Full clean driver's licence
References
References available upon request.
Accomplishments
- Volunteered weekly for the SPCA (HK) from 2005-2014, contributing to a hugely successful feline Trap-Neuter-Return programme, including personally desexing over 8500 cats.
- Assisted in voluntary desexing programmes for street dogs and cats in Chengdu, China, and Bangkok and Hua Hin, Thailand.
- Authored a fortnightly veterinary column for the leading English-language newspaper in Hong Kong for over six years.
Affiliations
- Supporting and coaching daughter's school netball team
- Hiking, dragon boat and outrigger canoe paddling, scuba diving.
Timeline
Veterinarian (permanent part-time)
Central Vet Hospital
02.2021 - 03.2024
Acting Head Veterinarian/Veterinary Advisor
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
02.2019 - 02.2024
Veterinarian
Wadestown Veterinary Clinic
06.2017 - 07.2019
Locum Veterinarian
Various
06.2013 - 01.2017
Senior Associate Veterinarian
Stanley Veterinary Centre
12.2005 - 03.2013
Senior Veterinarian
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
07.2001 - 11.2005
Locum veterinarian
Various
04.2000 - 06.2001
Veterinarian
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
08.1998 - 03.2000
Veterinarian
Robson and Prescott
09.1997 - 08.1998
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery -
The University of Glasgow
09.1992 - 07.1997
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