Emergency Veterinarian

Build your emergency medicine skills with structured mentoring, hands-on clinical training and a team invested in your growth.

Whether you’re ready to move beyond general practice, have some emergency experience and want to take the next step, or are looking for a new emergency veterinary team, AREC offers an opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive, privately owned hospital.

Here’s what’s in it for you:

• A structured Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) Development Program with supported introductory shifts, weekly mentoring and case reviews with your Veterinary Team Leader.
• Hands-on clinical training in ultrasound, ventilator care, endoscopy, CPR and a range of emergency procedures and surgeries.
• Competitive hourly remuneration, with paid overtime and additional weekend and public holiday shift loadings.
• Five weeks of annual leave on a full-time equivalent basis.
• Professional memberships and registration support, including VIN, CVE, VetEducation, VECCS, AVA and AtDOVE, subject to applicable eligibility.
• Approved sponsorship and a relocation allowance available for eligible overseas candidates.
• An experienced nursing team, advanced equipment and engaged leadership to support your clinical development.
• Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness Committee.

And outside work? Newcastle offers a coastal lifestyle, with beaches, ocean baths, cafés and restaurants, plus the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens to explore.

Develop into the emergency veterinarian you want to be
Emergency medicine can be challenging, unpredictable and incredibly rewarding. At AREC, we want you to have the support and training to develop your clinical judgement, build confidence and become a capable, compassionate emergency veterinarian.

Our ECC Veterinary Development Program is designed for veterinarians with at least 12 months experience transitioning from general practice into emergency medicine, as well as those with existing emergency experience who want to advance their skills.

Your development starts with support, not sole charge.

Shadow shifts: Start by working alongside senior clinicians, learning the hospital’s systems and approach before taking on primary case management.
Supported clinical shifts: Continue developing your skills under the guidance of experienced emergency veterinarians, without sole-charge responsibilities during this supported stage.
Structured education: Enrol in the Improve International Accelerated Emergency Programme, a comprehensive three-month online course with weekly modules.
Weekly mentoring: Review cases and work towards your development goals with your Veterinary Team Leader.
Practical training that goes beyond the textbook

Our in-house development program includes:

• Practical wet labs covering procedures and surgeries such as chest tube and feeding tube placement, tracheostomy, pericardiocentesis, splenectomy, enterotomy and gastropexy.
• RECOVER-certified CPR training.
• Ultrasound and ventilator training.
• Endoscopy training.
• Consult and communication skills training.
• Shared rounds, case discussions, in-house seminars and tutorials.
• Morbidity and mortality (M&M) rounds.
• Mental Health First Aid, self-care and mindfulness training.

You’ll have opportunities to learn from real cases, practise practical skills and discuss clinical decisions with experienced colleagues. The aim is to help you grow your capability and confidence while delivering high-quality patient care.

About AREC
Established in 2004, the Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (AREC) is a privately owned and operated emergency veterinary hospital in Broadmeadow, Newcastle.

Led by respected emergency veterinarian Dr David Tabrett, who continues to work hands-on within the business, AREC is a non-corporate practice with ASAV Hospital of Excellence accreditation and a collaborative team of more than 110 employees.

Our hospital provides emergency, after-hours and referral services to pets and veterinary clinics throughout Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter region.

Our team comes from diverse backgrounds, united by our core values of Respect, Diligence, Professionalism, Excellence, Empathy and Integrity.

We place importance on professional development, mental health and work-life balance. Our leadership team encourages growth, values feedback and recognises positive contributions, because we believe compassionate patient care starts with a supported team.

What we’re looking for
We’re seeking a veterinarian with at least 12 months of experience who is keen to learn, enjoys clinical problem-solving and wants to develop their emergency and critical care skills.

You’ll need:

A Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent veterinary degree that enables registration in NSW.
At least 12 months of veterinary experience.
Availability to work shared overnight shifts, weekends and public holidays.
A positive, can-do attitude and a willingness to keep learning.
A commitment to providing excellent clinical care and peace of mind to clients.
A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
You don’t need to arrive as a fully formed emergency clinician. We provide training in core skills and mentoring from senior veterinarians to help you progress.

Live and work in Newcastle
Newcastle offers a mix of coastal living, city amenities and access to the wider Hunter region. Spend your time off swimming at the beach, exploring coastal walks, enjoying local cafés or heading to Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens or the Hunter Valley.

Whether you’re relocating, looking for a new place to call home or already living locally, Newcastle offers plenty to enjoy beyond the hospital.

Want to see what life at AREC and in the region looks like?

Ready for your next step?
If you’re excited by emergency medicine, want to keep developing your clinical skills and would value working with a team that invests in your growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Permanent and casual opportunities are available.

Contact Sally Groen at [email protected], or apply online here.

AREC fosters diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where all individuals are valued and included.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo reference checks to verify their identity, qualifications and experience.