Applications are now open for the Animal Referral and Emergency Centre's Graduate Development Program - a 12-month, full-time role, designed especially for new and recent graduates. This is a fully supported position where you'll be encouraged to grow, build confidence, and develop the clinical skills you need to become a capable and compassionate ECC veterinarian. You'll be learning alongside experienced mentors in a collaborative, structured environment that's built to help you thrive.

About AREC

The Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (AREC) was established in 2004 and remains proudly privately owned and operated. Our emergency hospital is led by respected emergency veterinarian Dr David Tabrett, who continues to work hands-on within the business today.

We're a family-oriented, non-corporate team with ASAV “Hospital of Excellence” accreditation, and more than 110 dedicated employees working together in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Our team members come from a wide range of backgrounds, but we're united by a shared commitment to our core values: Respect, Diligence, Professionalism, Excellence, Empathy and Integrity.

At AREC, we place a strong focus on professional development, mental health and work–life balance. Because we believe compassionate care starts with a supported team.

Our mission is to offer peace of mind to pet owners and local vet clinics across Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter region by being here when it matters most, for after-hours care, emergencies and referrals.

The role

At AREC we have a growth mindset, and this is reflected in our structured graduate development program.

You will be supported by a dedicated team leader who ensures targeted growth throughout the graduate program. Our team leader support model allows us to provide one-on-one clinical and personal support. 

The AREC Veterinary Graduate Development Program includes:

• Improve International ECC Course Registration (cost of $4,650 covered by us)
• Rounds and tutorials
• Wet labs: hands-on practice in procedures and surgeries such as chest tube and feeding tube placement, tracheostomy, splenectomy, enterotomy, gastropexy.
• Surgery days at a local general practice to develop experience in routine surgeries such as spays
• RECOVER certified CPR training
• Ultrasound training
• Ventilator training
• Endoscopy training
• Mental Health First Aid training
• Communication skills training
• Fear Free Training

In addition to our structured graduate program, we create tailored learning and development plans based on your individual goals. You'll work alongside our team of senior ECC veterinarians, managing a broad mix of primary consultations, hospital cases, procedures and surgeries. Located in the Hunter region, our hospital sees a diverse and high caseload of emergency presentations - giving you excellent hands-on exposure and a strong foundation in emergency and critical care.

To support both your clinical growth and your work-life balance, we build dedicated study and learning days into your schedule. As a valued member of our team, we recognise that your career development should go hand-in-hand with your personal wellbeing.

Your skills and experience

• Recent or new graduate veterinarian
• Eligible for veterinary registration in NSW
• Keen interest in Emergency and Critical Care 

What we offer

• Continuing Education Allowance and access to employer-funded benefits including memberships and registrations to professional organisations for eligible employees.
• On top of our competitive hourly rates, you get paid overtime plus weekend and public holiday shift loading!
• 5 weeks annual leave 
• Improve International Accelerated ECC Course accredited for the Foundation Certificate in Emergency and Critical Care (FCert ECC) by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies.
• Membership with VIN, VetEducation, CVE, VECCS, AtDOVE, AVA
• Vet Practice Board Registration
• Radiation Licence 
• Paid attendance for compulsory staff meetings
• An engaged and committed leadership team that encourages growth and recognises positive contributions and feedback from the team
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness Committee

Contact:

Sally Armstead – hr@arecvet.com.au

How to Apply:

If you are keen to be a part of a highly compassionate and hard-working team of healthcare professionals, we would love to hear from you. Please click on the 'Apply for this job' button.

AREC fosters diversity and inclusion within the organisation to create an environment where all individuals are valued and included.

Note: All short-listed applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment check to verify their identity, qualifications and experience in the form of a reference check.

Learn more about us

 View our videos and photos via the below links:

• Living in Newcastle; Working at AREC - https://youtu.be/XsdS9nr9AW8
• Is Lifestyle the Missing Piece of your Career? - https://youtu.be/8741nJwkHts
• www.arecvet.com.au