Veterinary Surgery Intern – Small Animal

About the role

CARE Collingwood is seeking a Small Animal Surgery Intern for a 12‑month full‑time placement. The role offers hands‑on experience across soft tissue, orthopaedic, neurologic and oncologic procedures within a multi‑disciplinary referral hospital.

Key responsibilities

• Assist specialist surgeons with consultations, diagnostics and a wide range of surgical cases.
• Support patient admissions, discharges and case management under supervision of surgeons, registrar and resident.
• Work alongside surgical nurses to provide anaesthesia, peri‑operative care and post‑operative recovery.
• Participate in diagnostic imaging (radiography, CT, MRI) after training and licensing.
• Prepare surgical reports, daily inpatient records and communicate updates to specialists.
• Engage in academic activities such as weekly surgery rounds, journal club and case reporting.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualified veterinarian eligible for registration with the Veterinary Practitioners Board of Victoria.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong foundational knowledge of small‑animal medicine.
• Highly motivated to develop specialist surgical skills; clinical experience desirable but not essential.
• Team‑player attitude with a commitment to active learning and collaboration.

Required skills

• Basic surgical assistance techniques.
• Diagnostic imaging fundamentals (radiography, CT, MRI).
• Anaesthesia support and peri‑operative patient care.

What we offer

• Close mentorship from specialist surgeons with potential residency pathways.
• Diverse, challenging caseload in a collaborative team environment.
• Comprehensive internal continuing education program (seminars, workshops, journal clubs).
• Work‑life balance: 4 weeks annual leave plus 1 week study leave.
• Opportunity to live and work in Melbourne with access to cultural, sporting and natural attractions.