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Here are some tips to consider when writing your ad.

First Impressions Count:

• Be brief, clear and to the point – keep the ad content under 800 words maximum;
• Stand out from the crowd – include what makes your practice different;
• Incorporate key words/sentences/section titles that stand out to the reader – we may use these in our app/smart phone compatible Job Search function.
• Don’t use AI – it’s just not sophisticated enough yet to understand the ins & outs of our industry and will often include errors.

Know Your Target Audience:

• Have an idea of who your ideal candidate is, who they are, what they want, their potential interests and what you can say to them to make them want to work for you, but be prepared to be flexible;
• Be creative, engaging, personal, and totally focused on the needs and desires of your target audience – this is about appealing to applicants, not about what you want from the new vet;

Your Practice Description:

• Approach this as a story – how did the business end up where it is today;
• Describe the working environment in a friendly and welcoming manner;
• Explain why your practice is different to others – sell the practice, team, location and job;
• Be friendly, yet professional;
• Include links to your social media as a picture paints a thousand words – when advertising with Kookaburra Vet Employment you can also send us up to twelve photos for a photo page, all inclusive in your advertising cost.

What The Applicant Wants to Know:

The point of an ad is not to lay out everything about the position on offer.  It is instead meant to attract attention from the sort of vet you want to work for you and interest them enough that they want to contact you for more information. So don’t tell them everything there is to know – whet their appetite for more as, if you can get them to contact you, that’s more than half the battle. Only offer enough information that the reader can pre-screen themselves.

Securing the Contact:

• Include a salary or salary range as research shows this is a critical factor in the decision whether or not to contact you;
• Offer a name and a variety of means of contact – practice phone, email, personal mobile, any of the social media private communication systems you use, etc;
• Include potential career progression – let the vet know you are thinking of their future within the practice.
• Demonstrate you are open to innovation and improvements.

Author:

Paula Strong
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

The Register of AVE candidates, and the Return to Work program are 2 useful services provided by the AVA.

AVA Register of AVE candidates

As there’s such a shortage of vets at the moment, some clinics may consider hosting an overseas qualified vet while they gain experience prior to sitting the AVE – and potentially be in a position to subsequently offer employment.

To assist AVE candidates to gain work experience and enable veterinary clinics to gain access to available AVE candidates, the AVA maintains a database that can link the two groups. In order to practice in Australia, veterinarians who gained their qualifications overseas are required to first pass the Australasian Veterinary Exam (AVE). Candidates who have passed the Preliminary (MCQ) Examination are encouraged by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC) to gain practical experience at private veterinary practices to assist with their preparations for the Final (Clinical) Examination. They are also encouraged to take the appropriate steps to gain some form of limited, specific or conditional registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board in the State or Territory in which they wish to gain work experience.

For more information and to request access to available AVE candidates, please visit the AVA website https://www.ava.com.au/member-services/vetsuccess/ave-candidate-hub/host-an-ave-candidate/ or contact them at 1300 137 309

AVA Return to Work Program

Now is a great time to return to working in clinical practice if you’ve been taking a break or pursuing other interests. Because of the intense competition between practices to secure vets, many practices will be very willing to listen to what you need in terms of hours, rosters and flexibility – and some are offering great packages, perks, relocation, and support. If pay rates contributed to you leaving the profession, then you could be pleasantly surprised at what some clinics are now offering.

On the other hand, if you are an employer seeking to support an employee returning to work – or encouraging a previous employee to return to work after a break – this can be part of your support toolkit.

About the AVA Return to Work Program

The Return to Work program is the AVA’s online self-paced learning program consisting of 5 clinical modules, 4 non-clinical modules and a practical skills guide. The program is recommended for veterinarians who wish to return to clinical practice after a career break or period of leave, or veterinarians in practice and industry who are seeking a refresher. It is also recommended for veterinary students.

Getting back to work and keeping up to date is important for building self-confidence, increasing social connections, recovering from an illness or injury, and for financial reasons. Work is beneficial to mental health and overall well-being. It’s a place to develop skills and enjoy a sense of purpose and identity.

For more information, visit the AVA website here https://www.ava.com.au/education-events/ava-return-to-work-program/

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

To work as a locum, vets should have a minimum of 2 years’ experience, and preferably over 3 years for sole charge practices. Not only is locuming a great way to finance travel, it is also a good way to gain additional experience working with different people, in a wide variety of different conditions, and improve your veterinary skills.

In major cities, although there are more clinics in a smaller geographical area, there is usually more competition for locum work, therefore to be assured of a constant supply of work, locums should be willing to travel – and you can miss out on amazing experiences if you don’t consider travelling to work in more rural and regional areas. Country jobs will usually supply accommodation and maybe a vehicle for work and private use, however, city practices very rarely supply either accommodation or a vehicle.

Locum vacancies can range from a single shift to 5 or 6 months’ work, and include full time and part time hours. Locums help cover for temporary staffing shortages, illness, periods of leave and holidays, and parental leave. Jobs can be advertised up to 4 months in advance, however, they can also be listed at very short notice (next day). On average, locum jobs listed with Kookaburra Vet Employment are to start within 1-2 months.

Work

Most clinics require a locum with a minimum of 2-3 years’ experience who doesn’t require direction for most clinical judgments, but who will ask for help if it’s required or if they get out of their depth. Surgical experience is necessary – you must be able to do at least routine surgery including desexings in a timely manner (ie. not take too long).

It can be important to stick to clinic protocols, within a perceived duty of care. Clinics may see a high proportion of particular types of cases – eg ticks; snake bite; poisonings – ask the regular vet before they go away if there is a clinic protocol or for any tips on these type of cases.

Record keeping is extremely important – the locum may move on, but the clinic owner or regular vet then has to continue with ongoing care. Make sure that your handwriting is legible, and you use any computerised system to keep comprehensive clinical notes. Locums should try to fit in with existing staff and not rock the boat!

Make sure that you stick to practice pricing – please don’t undercharge just because you perceive the practice prices to be excessive.

Try not to put things off until the regular vet gets back.

Conduct

Practices expect a locum to be honest, punctual, friendly, polite, and able to take direction if required without taking offence. Derogatory, sexist, and discriminatory behaviour and comments are absolutely not acceptable.

If a work vehicle, or a vehicle for private use is supplied, it should be kept clean on the inside (if not the outside!), and driven with due care and attention. Establish the protocol for paying for petrol before commencing work.

If accommodation is supplied, it should be left clean and tidy. Talk to the employer about any use of private items or groceries if you are staying in their own house BEFORE you use anything, and establish whether you are expected to replace any items used.

CVs and References:

You should be prepared to send your CV to clinics when you apply for a vacancy. It should contain up to date information and be accurate, particularly with up to date contact information for you including a mobile number preferably with a message bank. Include contact details for recent referees, and email addresses, particularly if your referees are overseas.

Contract

Although practices and locums may not decide to formally enter into a contract, it is a good idea to set down terms of employment and working conditions in writing prior to the start of the locum period. Things to consider include:

• Pay rate;
• after hours remuneration;
• days off;
• overtime;
• normal hours of work;
• type of payment arrangement and when the vet is to be paid;
• type of employment (casual employee, contractor);
• Superannuation; GST;
• Travel Costs;
• Professional registration costs;
• Responsibility for keys – for the clinic and for scheduled drugs
• Accommodation and responsibilities of the locum with respect to the accommodation and use of facilities if applicable (eg phone, internet, food in the pantry);
• provision of vehicle for work – and private use – and fuel costs;
• any provision for short term cancellation of the locum period by either party.

This list is by no means exhaustive. Contact the AVA HR Hotline for more information – 1300 788977 or email avahrhotline@whr.com.au  (you need to be an AVA member (Australian Veterinary Association).

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.