Veterinary Career's Page
" Passionate About Pets "
Interested in working at Croydon Pet Hospital?
We are currently expanding and are in the process of hiring staff, please feel free to read through our adverts below and mail/fax or email in your resume and cover letter. Even when we are not advertising for staff, we are always happy to accept resumes and we will keep them on file for if any positions do become available.
6/11/09 - Full Time/Part Time Veterinarian (currently accepting resumes)
15/12/09 - Full Time Vet Nurse (Position filled January 2009)
Veterinary Nurses Day! October 5th!
WHAT IS VETERINARY NURSES DAY?
VN Day is a VNCA initiative to raise awareness of the importance of veterinary nurses to both the public and to the industry It is a day to celebrate and recognise the contributions of Veterinary Nurses to the Australian veterinary team
THE AIMS ARE:
To educate the public about this vital member of the veterinary medical team. To reinforce the value and professionalism of veterinary nurses to veterinarians and the public. To provide an opportunity for veterinary nurses to acknowledge one another for excellent performance in their work.
WHEN IS IT?
First Friday in October every year. This year it is 5th October 2007
Interested in becoming a Veterinarian?
A CAREER AS A VETERINARIAN
Being a veterinarian can be very rewarding, but is also very hard work! Entry to the university degree course is highly competitive and requires a great level of dedication.
To become a vet in Victoria, you must undertake and complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science which is offered at the University of Melbourne. The course is full time over 5 years, with one of two options for the first year. Either a) The pre-veterinary year or b) One year of science. VCE school leavers require a minimum of Year 12 English, Chemistry and one of Mathematics or Physics.
For general information visit University of Melbourne Veterinary Studies
On completion of the Bachelor's degree, you are eligible to register with the Veterinary Surgeons' Board to practise as a fully qualified veterinarian.
Working as a veterinarian requires more than just treating sick animals! Many areas of skill are required ranging from; customer service, managing staff, training and development of nurses and other staff members, consoling grieving owners and assisting in continuous growth of the practice.
After completion of the University degree veterinarians are trained and qualified to diagnose and treat companion animals (dogs and cats), wildlife, exotic pets (rabbits/rats/guinea pigs/mice/birds/ferrets/reptiles) and domestic livestock. Once graduated a veterinarian can expect to receive a salary dependent upon experience, usually within the range of $35,000 - $70,000.
Veterinarians perform healthcare tasks ranging from; vaccinating, health checks/examinations, collecting specimens (urine/blood/faeces/skin scrapings/ear samples), performing surgeries (from routine desexings to complex more sepcialiased procedures) and other diagnostic tasks.
Every day in the life of a vet can be very different! Some days may be quiet and run smoothly, whilst other days you are required to stay back late working on emergency cases! You can never be sure of what will be presented to you throughout your day, at times the position can be very stressful with a lot of responsibility placed in your hands! A Veterinarian needs the patience, organisation and decision making skills to make critical decisions with little room for error.
Interested in becoming a Veterinary Nurse?
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is considered by the veterinary industry to be the basic qualification required for a person who is to provide competent support to a Veterinary Practice. Certificates II in Animal Studies is a progression towards this objective and do not have identifiable employment occupation.
New To The Industry?
Starting from Day One when you enter a veterinary practice as a work experience student - right up to the time when you become a Diplomaed Veterinary Nurse, there are qualifications and training resources available to suit your needs.
The national training qualifications also mean that your abilities can now be recognised anywhere in Australia at whatever level you work. You can get these qualifications by having your competence recognised in the workplace. Specifications for competence at the various levels are given in the Veterinary Nursing Training Package materials.
You will need employment to be able to become competent to the standards required and there is often a shortage of such positions available. This is because many practices employ full-time, qualified support staff, remunerate them well, provide continuing education opportunities and value the contribution that the nurses make to the business. These nurses tend to remain at the practice for a number of years.
The job is a very popular one and when a position does become available the employer often fills the position from the files of resumes held or by word of mouth. Check local and national newspapers for ads under their "professional" or "medical" categories. Mail your resume to as many practices as possible, telephone and/or even take the initiative of presenting yourself in person at a practice for an appointment with the Practice Manager.
Currently Employed in the Industry?
You can have your experience and competence recognised as a part of the national qualification structure, this is called Recognition of Current Competence. Or you may have an older qualification and consider that you need to upgrade to current industry required standards.
You need to contact a Registered Training Organisation and request that an appropriately qualified Workplace Assessor makes contact with you. Having your current competence, skills and prior learning assessed means that once any gaps against the standards are identified and addressed, you will be able to receive a current national qualification. This may be important for your employment terms and conditions and as part of your personal career pathway.
Extending Yourself!
The three Diploma qualifications allow nurses who hold the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to apply for further training in a specific field. Applicants would need to have access to a solid caseload relating to their chosen area and this can be found at practices such as Specialist Referral Practices or Animal Emergency Centres. Nurses who hold one of these Extended qualifications would be competent as nurse support to a Specialist Veterinarian.
Finding the right Registered Training Organisation For Your Needs
The list of Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) in Australia providing vet nurse training is growing. Many of the RTO's deliver flexible and distance education, so it may be sensible for you to contact those that are interstate too. You may find that the delivery methods of one RTO suit your circumstances better than another. Employment in a veterinary practice is difficult to come by, most students spend a lot of time communicating with practices and establishing a relationship. This may be how weekend and voluntary work experience can be achieved.
For the list of Registered Training Providers go to the National Training Information Service: www.ntis.gov.au
New Apprenticeships In Veterinary Nursing
The progressive implementation of the National Veterinary Nursing Training Package across Australia has significantly expanded the range of training opportunities available in the Veterinary Nursing sector. New and existing employees may be eligible.
A training agreement, which is signed by the New Apprentice and the employer and then registered with the State/Territory Training Authority, allows for the tailoring of the training to suit the needs of the practice and the New Apprentice over the life of the agreement.
A New Apprenticeship Centre will assist with the paperwork to register training agreements with State/Territory Training Authorities and check for eligibility for a range of government financial incentives and New Apprenticeship assistance measures.
Get to Know Your Veterinary Nurses!
Step 1: Student Veterinary Nurse
Enrolled into the Animal Care and Management Training Package with a Registered Training Organisation. Starting at Certificate II in Animal Studies and moving on to Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing over approx. 2 years. Learning is competency-based and mostly takes place in the veterinary practice with a nominated mentor.
Subjects covered include working in the animal care industry, follow OHS procedures, assist with general animal care, provide food and water for animals, participate in workplace communications, carry out veterinary reception duties, carry out daily clinic routines and assist with surgery preparations.
Step 2: Qualified Veterinary Nurse
Has achieved Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or equivalent and is competent to coordinate patient admission and discharge, apply radiographic routines, perform clinical pathology procedures, perform clinic office procedures, carry out surgical nursing routines, nurse animals, carry out medical nursing routines, coordinate and perform theatre routines, provide specific animal care advice and carry out dental nursing procedures. May have additional competencies in business, training others, human resources and retail.
Step 3: Accredited Veterinary Nurse
Has achieved recognition of competence, currency and dedication to the veterinary nursing profession.The highest accolade bestowed by veterinarian and vet nurse peers.
Veterinary Career Links
National Training Information Service - Includes information on Registered Training Organisations www.ntis.gov.au
Australian Veterinary Association www.ava.com.au
Australian Veterinary Practice Management Association www.avpma.com.au
International Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association (IVNTA) www.bvna.org.uk/ivnta.php
British Veterinary Nurses Association (BVNA) www.bvna.org.uk
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) www.navta.net
Vet Tech www.vettech.com
Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians www.oavt.org
The 32nd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress www.wsava2007.com
Australian Companion Animal Council www.acac.org.au