Small Animal Surgery Internship (12-Month, Full-Time)

Brindabella Veterinary Referral Service (BVRS) is offering a rare and exciting opportunity for an aspiring surgeon to join our expanding referral team in Canberra. This is a 12-month, full-time internship in Small Animal Surgery, ideally commencing as soon as possible.

About Us

BVRS is a surgery focused referral service led by Dr Fiona Coghill, a Fellow of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. Our practice sees a diverse range of surgical cases including orthopaedic, soft tissue, neurologic, and oncologic surgeries. The practice does not operate after hours or on weekends, which ensures our team have adequate time for life balance, as well as study and research.

Our hospital is equipped with advanced surgical and diagnostic tools including:

• Arthroscopy
• Laparoscopy
• Digital radiography
• Synthes TPLO and LCP Plating systems
• Electrosurgery
• Neurosurgery equipment
• Access to CT and MRI
• Comprehensive library and journal access

We operate within Capital Paws Group, a cooperative of independently owned veterinary practices in the Canberra region. This is a unique non-corporate group of general practices that operate together and refer their cases to BVRS. This allows close collaboration between the referring GPs and specialists, as well as a supportive and fun environment.

The Role

You'll work alongside our surgical specialist and registrar, supported by an experienced and highly skilled nursing team. The internship involves:

• Assisting in consultations, surgical procedures, diagnostics, and patient management
• Performing and assisting with imaging procedures (radiography, CT) after training and licensing
• Involvement in anaesthesia and post-operative care
• Scrubbed surgical assistance
• Preparing surgical reports, inpatient records, and client/referring vet communications
• Participation in weekly surgery rounds and journal clubs

This internship provides extensive clinical exposure and is ideal for someone aiming to pursue a special interest in surgery. We will provide encouragement, opportunities and support for your ongoing professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient admissions, discharges, and daily care
• Anaesthesia preparation and monitoring support
• Surgical patient preparation and adjunctive local anaesthesia
• Surgical assistance and recovery supervision
• Imaging support (radiographs and CT)
• Internal communications and reporting
• Supporting the education and coordination of the surgical team

Hours: 38 hours/week, Monday–Friday. No night shifts, no weekends or on-call work.

Candidate Requirements

• Veterinary registration recognized in the ACT
• Strong communication skills, a positive work ethic, and a solid knowledge base
• Clinical experience is desirable but not essential
• A strong interest in small animal surgery and a collaborative team mindset

What We Offer

• Mentorship: Close guidance from experienced specialists to help prepare you for future residency opportunities
• Professional Development: Journal club and case discussions with specialists, access to internal learning and support to attend external conferences and events
• Work-Life Balance: No nights, weekends or after-hours work, 4 weeks of annual leave, and 1 week of study leave
• Great Location: Canberra offers a vibrant lifestyle with excellent dining, arts, outdoor activities, and proximity to the coast, mountains, and Sydney
• Future Facilities: BVRS will be relocating to a brand-new, purpose-built hospital in 2026

Ready to Apply?

For further information or to apply, please contact us by sending us an email to info@bvrs.com.au or calling on 0423 939 440. We'd love to hear from motivated, enthusiastic veterinarians ready to take the next step in their surgical career.

www.bvrs.com.au