A mixed practice in regional South Australia is looking for a veterinarian to join their experienced team.
This is a privately owned, well-established hospital with a strong reputation and a collaborative culture. As an accredited hospital located in a regional area, the clinic is equipped with high-end diagnostic and monitoring tools to support diverse caseloads. The team includes skilled nurses, vet techs and a dedicated customer care crew.
While the caseload is primarily small animals, there is also some large animal and wildlife work. Vets have the option to take part in paid trips to remote areas to broaden their large animal experience and build their skills.
Surgical enthusiasts will appreciate the regular opportunity to assist with both routine and complex procedures. The clinic also offers comprehensive dental services and procedures.
The practice currently has 6.5 full-time equivalent vets, and many past employees who began their careers here have continued in the profession. The team fosters a positive, friendly and supportive environment where professional growth and individual interests are encouraged.
The full-time roster is structured over four days and includes early finishes and late starts to balance on-call commitments. After-hours support is shared and well-managed. Vets are only called in when patients need to be seen, with help from senior vets, nurses and VetTriage.
The employer is willing to assist with a work visa (sponsorship) for suitable overseas candidates. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (or equivalent) and be eligible for registration as a veterinary practitioner in Australia.
This regional town is just 2.5 hours from Adelaide and offers a relaxed, affordable lifestyle. Local attractions include wineries, camping, water-skiing, sports and the arts, all set against a picturesque countryside backdrop. It’s a great place to live, work and explore.
Feedback from a 2019 graduate who is still employed at the practice:
I started working as a new graduate at the practice in early 2020, and COVID hit not long after. I was very well-supported. When I started after-hours and still now, there is always an experienced senior nurse with you and a vet available to call for backup or just over the phone for advice.
We do a fair amount of community work, so there are lots of opportunities to really develop your surgical skills and techniques. Still now, with anything you haven’t done before or would like some help with, you can schedule the practice owner or another senior vet to help.
Vets are regularly discussing cases and bouncing ideas off each other. If we ever get stuck on anything, we can also call the specialist/emergency centres, and they’re really good at giving advice. The practice owner is also very happy to pay for continuing education and conferences as well.
The practice owner also heads out to rural communities a couple of times a year where there are no vets and there are opportunities to go with them. Here, vets will provide consults and perform surgeries as needed, such as desexings, dentals, and lump removals. On their most recent trip, they also saw a few kangaroos and did some horse castrates and dentals.
There is lots to do in the area when you’re not working, especially if you like sport! Although not in a city, there are all the basic shops needed. They have various community days throughout the year, including dinghy races, fishing and fireworks.
The team are really, really, really supportive! If you need anything, you can just ask and they are more than willing to help out. The nurses and practice managers go above and beyond. They are very knowledgeable and absolutely amazing with new graduates. The nurses are quite hands-on; I honestly don’t think I would be able to do my job without them!
