There are now a large number of emergency veterinary practices in Australia and overseas. The demand for emergency vets (and those willing to become emergency vets) is very high.
What motivates vets to go into emergency roles?
- Exposure to medical and surgical cases not commonly seen in general practice
- Desire to acquire new skills and knowledge
- Like a challenge
- Enjoy a fast-paced environment
- Interesting and varied caseload
- Competitive salaries
Lots of vets really enjoy the change from normal day-to-day practice. Some make it a long-term career, and for others, it is a stage in their career.
What attributes do successful emergency vets have?
- Ability to stay calm and work efficiently in stressful situations
- Make good decisions based on the information they have at the time (there isn’t always time to get a full history etc)
- Cope well with flexible rosters and night work
Many modern well-organised emergency practices offer their staff very good support, including:
- Highly trained nursing staff
- On-call surgeons and other staff to assist with difficult cases and busy periods
- Training and mentoring
If you feel like a change and a new challenge, emergency work is worth considering.
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about working in emergency and the positions we currently have available, we would love to hear from you. For a confidential discussion about your career options, please contact us.
Last Updated: July 2024
DISCLAIMER: The above information is for guidance purposes only. Vetlink takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, which is not intended as advice.