Veterinary Surgery Intern - CARE Collingwood

Centre for Animal Referral & Emergency (CARE); Melbourne; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship by specialists

4 weeks annual leave

1 week study leave

Access to advanced imaging and tech

Job summary

Centre for Animal Referral & Emergency (CARE) Collingwood in Melbourne is offering a full-time 12-month Small Animal Surgery Internship. The role provides mentorship from two specialist surgeons, a registrar, and a resident, with access to a broad caseload and a dedicated nursing team.

You will gain exposure to orthopaedic, soft tissue, neurologic and oncologic surgery, with opportunities to participate in diagnostic imaging and academic activities.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualified veterinarian.
• Eligible for registration with the Veterinary Practitioners Board of Victoria.
• Clinical experience is desirable but not essential.
• Highly motivated and keen to develop skills in small animal surgery.

Responsibilities

• Assist surgeons with consultations, diagnostics and a broad range of procedures (soft tissue, orthopaedic, neurological, oncologic).
• Support patient admissions, discharges and case management under supervision of surgical staff.
• Work with surgical nurses on anaesthesia, perioperative care and recovery.
• Participate in diagnostic imaging (radiography, CT, MRI) after training/licensing.
• Prepare surgical reports and daily inpatient records, providing timely updates to specialists.
• Engage in academic activities such as weekly rounds, journal club and case reporting.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Team player

Motivated learner

Strong veterinary knowledge

Education

Veterinary degree (DVM/Vet)

Eligible for Victoria registration

Job description

CARE Collingwood is looking for a new Small Animal Surgery Intern. The position would suit someone looking to increase their exposure to specialist surgery or perhaps pursue specialisation. Our surgery department consists of two specialist surgeons, a registrar, a resident, and two interns, supported by a large team of highly skilled surgical nurses, all committed to providing advanced surgical care and dedicated mentorship to the next generation of veterinary surgeons. Dr Guy Yates heads the Surgery department. Guy is an experienced specialist small animal surgeon and Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, who maintains active clinical interests in soft tissue, orthopaedic, and neurosurgery.

CARE is a multi-disciplinary referral hospital and 24-hour Emergency Centre in the heart of Melbourne. Alongside Surgery, our hospital is home to dedicated Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care specialty teams, so patients have access to coordinated, whole-patient care under one roof. We pride ourselves on being a patient-focused practice, delivering treatment that puts patient care first. We believe the best outcomes come from a collaborative team approach across specialties.

Our hospital is equipped with arthroscopy, digital radiography, a CT scanner, and access to high-field MRI, along with IMEX linear and circular external fixation systems, TPLO equipment, the Biomedtrix Universal Total Hip system, plating systems (Synthes LCP and Kyon ALPS II), interlocking nails, negative pressure wound therapy units, and electrosurgery (monopolar, bipolar, Ligasure). We see a wide range of orthopaedic, soft tissue, neurologic, and oncologic surgery. Our surgery team works closely with our Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care specialists on shared cases, giving interns exposure to genuinely multi-disciplinary decision-making.

The Opportunity

This is a full-time, 12-month internship within the Surgery Department, with a flexible start date, ideally commencing January or February 2027. The role does not require you to contribute to the on-call roster, although there is potential to participate in rostered in-patient care on Saturday mornings. As an intern, you will:

• Assist our surgeons with consultations, diagnostic procedures, and a wide range of surgical cases, including soft tissue, orthopaedic, neurologic, and oncologic procedures
• Assist with patient admissions, discharges, and case management, working cooperatively with and under the supervision of the surgical specialists, registrar, and resident
• Work alongside our surgical nurses to assist with anaesthesia, perioperative care, and patient recovery
• Participate in diagnostic imaging, including radiography, CT, and MRI, after appropriate training and licensing requirements have been met
• Prepare surgical reports and daily inpatient records, and provide timely reporting to specialists on the condition of their inpatients
• Engage in academic activities such as weekly surgery rounds, journal club, and case reporting

This role provides a fast-paced yet supportive environment where you will see a varied caseload and gain invaluable exposure to specialist-level surgical practice, drawn from referrals across Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania as well as our own Emergency department.

About You

• Tertiary qualified Veterinarian eligible for registration with the Veterinary Practitioners Board of Victoria
• Excellent communication skills and a strong knowledge base on which to build
• Clinical experience is desirable but not essential
• Highly motivated and seeking to further your skills and knowledge in Small Animal Surgery
• A team player and active learner. Team cohesion matters a great deal to us

Why Should You Join the CARE Team?

• Close mentorship from our specialist surgeons, with support to pursue residency training if you wish to specialise
• A diverse and challenging caseload in a collaborative, supportive team environment
• A comprehensive internal continuing education program, including regular seminars, journal club, workshops, and case reporting
• A genuine focus on work-life balance, with 4 weeks of annual leave and 1 week of study leave
• The chance to work and live in Melbourne, with easy access to culture, sport, dining, and the natural beauty of Victoria beyond the city