ECC Team Leader - Veterinary Referral Hospital (VRH)

Job Description

Ready to take your emergency veterinary career into leadership?

This is an opportunity to step beyond the clinical floor and shape the future of Emergency & Critical Care at one of Melbourne’s leading multidisciplinary referral hospitals.

You’ll join an established ECC team comprising three ECC specialists (FANZCVS and DACVECC), an ECC Registrar, ANZCVS Membership candidates, experienced emergency veterinarians and recent graduates.

VRH is seeking an experienced and passionate Emergency Veterinary Team Leader to lead our dedicated ECC team, drive clinical excellence and help build an exceptional emergency service. This is a high-impact leadership role for a veterinarian who is ready to mentor others, influence clinical standards, strengthen team culture and play a key role in the ongoing growth of our hospital. For the right candidate, there is also a genuine pathway into the role of Head of Department – Emergency & Critical Care, providing an exciting opportunity to further develop your leadership career.

About VRH

The Veterinary Referral Hospital has been delivering specialist referral and emergency care to Melbourne’s pets for more than 25 years. We are proud of our reputation for exceptional veterinary medicine, patient care and client service.

Our purpose-built hospital operates 24/7 and provides a true multidisciplinary environment, with specialists across: Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Neurology and Anaesthesia

This means our emergency team has access to an incredible depth of clinical expertise and the opportunity to manage a complex, diverse and highly interesting caseload.

Our ECC nursing team is equally impressive - highly skilled, passionate and committed to delivering outstanding patient care.

At VRH, we believe great medicine starts with great people. We foster a culture built around collaboration, clinical excellence, innovation and lifelong learning, while remaining committed to creating a sustainable and supportive working environment.

The Opportunity

As Emergency Veterinary Team Leader, you’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact across people, patients and the broader ECC service.

You will:

• Provide visible and accountable leadership across the emergency team
• Mentor, coach and develop veterinarians at all stages of their careers
• Champion clinical excellence, governance and continuous improvement
• Drive consistency in clinical standards, protocols and patient care
• Support efficient operations, rostering and resource utilisation
• Work closely with specialist departments to ensure seamless patient care
• Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture
• Support onboarding, training and ongoing professional development
• Lead client communication and assist with complex or escalated cases
• Identify opportunities to improve the service and contribute to strategic growth
• Partner with hospital leadership to shape the future direction of ECC

Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to influence how the team works, develops and delivers care - not simply manage a roster.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced emergency veterinarian who is ready to take their next step into leadership.

You’ll bring:

• Veterinary registration, or eligibility for registration, in Victoria
• Strong experience working in Emergency & Critical Care
• A genuine passion for mentoring, coaching and developing others
• Demonstrated leadership or people-management experience
• Strong communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills
• A commitment to clinical excellence and exceptional patient care
• The ability to remain calm, solutions-focused and decisive in a fast-paced environment
• A desire to contribute to the growth and evolution of a leading ECC service

MANZCVS in Emergency & Critical Care is preferred but not essential. We’re equally interested in the leadership capability, clinical experience and ambition you bring to the role.

Why VRH?

This is more than a Team Leader position. It’s an opportunity to build something.

You’ll have the support of a highly experienced multidisciplinary team, access to exceptional clinical resources and the opportunity to influence the development of one of Melbourne’s established emergency services.

We offer:

• Competitive salary package
• Genuine career progression, including potential pathway to Head of Department – Emergency & Critical Care
• Relocation and sponsorship support for you and your family, including pathway options to Permanent Residency
• Additional paid parental leave and return-to-work programs
• Your choice of professional membership through AVA membership or Veterinary Board registration
• Tailored continuing education aligned to your career goals - with no capped CE allowance
• Access to a highly experienced multidisciplinary specialist team
• A supportive environment focused on leadership development, collaboration and clinical excellence
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients, clients and the veterinary professionals around you

If you’re an experienced ECC veterinarian who is ready to lead, influence and help shape the next chapter of VRH Emergency & Critical Care, we’d love to hear from you.

If you are open to relocating for the role - let's chat and see how we can make it a smooth transition!

For a confidential discussion, contact Prachi Sawant on 0449 790 813 or via WhatsApp on +61 449 790 813  | [email protected]

Additional Information

# AREN

# VRH