Wildlife Hospital Volunteer

2012 Program

Activities of a Wildlife Hospital Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of providing quality care to our animals at Currumbin Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital. Being a Volunteer within in the Wildlife Hospital is a fantastic role which will provide a great sense of satisfaction. You will be a direct part of the process in providing care to injured wildlife. In addition you will have the opportunity to work within a modern veterinary facility which treats an amazing diversity of animals alongside a professional veterinary team.

Choose from 3 Wildlife Hospital Volunteer roles:

1. Hospital Reception & Admin Support Volunteers: This position involves assisting at the Reception area of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. You will need to be comfortable greeting members of the public who are delivering injured animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles to the hospital. You may also be required to assist the Vet Nurses to admit the injured animals into care. The role involves assisting with basic clerical duties such as answering phone calls, providing information to animal donors, filing and data recording, dispatching pathology samples and assisting with contacting Animal Carers. Cleaning and housekeeping tasks are also part of keeping Reception clean and tidy. Shifts range from 8.00 am to 12.00pm or 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm seven days per week. Previous admin experience is essential.
2. Wildife Hospital Volunteers: This role involves assisting the Veterinary Nursing staff. Key duties include providing a clean and caring environment within the hospital for injured Australian Wildlife and for animals from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary requiring veterinary care. The role involves assisting with feeding animals, cleaning cages, assisting with animal medication, medical procedures and observations. Performing essential basic care duties such as washing linen, washing dishes, tidying and restocking supplies are a key part of this role. Shifts range from 8.00 am to 12.00pm or 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm seven days per week. Previous animal care or veterinary experience would be highly regarded.
3. RSPCA Veterinary Ambulance Drivers: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has partnered with the RSPCA to operate a Veterinary Ambulance service which delivers treated wildlife to the homes of Wildlife Carers, where they can recuperate before being released back into the wild. Ambulance drivers work a full day shift from 8.00 to 5.00 pm and work in pairs. The region to be covered ranges from the NSW border to Beenleigh. Full training is provided, but Volunteer Ambulance Drivers need to hold a current manual driver’s license and be able to hold a Blue Card.

You must be able to meet the following criteria for all 3 roles:

• You must be aged over 18 to participate, and ideally, we are seeking people who are able to offer a six to twelve month commitment to the program.
• You should be prepared to work with sick and injured animals and the distress this may cause.
• You must be able to show a basic level of knowledge with regard to being able to identify common Australian animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles.
• No allergies to animals, birds or dust.
• Able to perform bending, lifting weights up to 10 kg and other moderate physical activities.
• Be willing to wear the Volunteer uniform and comply with program standards.
• Have a strong commitment to punctuality and reliability.
• You must have access to email and the internet, as this is our mode of communicating with our Volunteers.

The Application process

We have partnered with the not for profit service VOLUNTEERING GOLD COAST INC. to assist us with the recruitment of our Wildlife Hospital Volunteers. The application process is simple:

1. INFORMATION SESSION WITH VOLUNTEERING GOLD COAST. Please call VGC on 07 5526 2811 and advise that you are interested in applying for a position at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with the WILDLIFE HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS. They will make an appointment for an information session to come to one of their Gold Coast offices, and discuss your interest and suitability for the role. These offices are located at Biggera Waters, Southport, Nerang, Palm Beach, Elanora, Varsity Lakes and Bond University. We use the services of VGC as they can assist with many other volunteering options if the role at Currumbin Sanctuary is not a good match for you.
2. INTERVIEW & TRIAL SHIFT AT CURRUMBIN SANCTUARY. If you are a good match for the role, you will be then be contacted by the Wildlife Hospital Admin Coordinator. You will be invited to come down to the Sanctuary for an interview where you will be given more information about the requirements of the role and work a half day trial shift. If successful, you will then be placed onto the roster if there is a current vacancy for a shift that matches your availability.

We ask for a voluntary contribution* of $35 to cover the cost of supplying you with a uniform shirt which is yours to keep. You will need to provide your own suitable footwear and trousers/ shorts.

* Voluntary contributions to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary are fully tax deductable.

Note that places within the Wildlife Hospital Volunteer program are limited and no guarantee of acceptance will be given. Thank you for understanding that in order to protect both our animals and Sanctuary operations, only people who meet the selection criteria & program requirements can be accepted into the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer programs.