About us

Lort Smith, Melbourne’s Animal Hospital is an icon, serving its people and animals for 87 years by providing exceptional veterinary care and preserving the human-animal bond irrespective of a person’s circumstance. We are Australia’s biggest not-for-profit animal hospital treating over 20,000 animals a year across two locations.

Join us in our newly redeveloped North Melbourne Hospital, in a modern state of the art building with improved spaces for patients and updated facilities to support the wellbeing and operations of our hard-working staff.

What does working at Lort Smith mean?

We are an independent not-for-profit. We are rewarded through our impact in the community – and our team holds the same values.
Being a community driven organisation means connection - we are here because of our belief in the human-animal bond which goes beyond companionship and the impact we have and leave on the world.

About the role

As the Head Vet – Outpatients you will be responsible for delivering high quality and sustainable veterinary services for patients and clients during outpatient consultations and admissions. You’ll work with the other Head Vets as well as the wider veterinary and nursing team to develop standards of care and maintain a culture of strong clinical quality governance and care throughout the hospital.

You will develop, deliver and maintain operational and clinical policies and processes and drive the management and professional development of a team of veterinary surgeons, ensuring their own ongoing personal development.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain effective staffing and rostering against budgets.
• Achieve activity and revenue targets.
• Act as a role model for staff, communicating clinical and professional expectations and holding staff accountable in order to meet these expectations.
• Ensure effective teamwork in the clinical department by setting and reinforcing work standards, providing regular feedback and coaching on team performance and effectiveness.
• Line management responsibilities to a specific team of veterinary surgeons that includes: recruitment, induction of new staff, completing annual performance appraisals, performance management, mentoring and training and development plans.
• Provide support and direction to all veterinarians at Lort Smith with a focus on those within the Outpatients stream.
• Assist the Veterinary Director, Practice Managers, and Head Veterinarians with strategic allocation of resources and rostering including day to day oversight of tasks and resources.
• Ensure the hospital delivers and is recognised for its ‘best practice’ standards of care.
• Regularly undertake clinical reviews to ensure Lort Smith remains at the forefront for Outpatient care.
• Ensure department has policies, process and procedures that comply with legislative and industry standards.
• Ensure policies, processes and procedures support a high level of client care and satisfaction.
• Works in accordance with the ethical and professional guidelines as defined by the Veterinary Practitioners’ Registration Board of Victoria and the Veterinary Practice Act (1997).
• Model, through behaviours, a communication style that reflects the vision and values of the organisation and hospital.

About you

• You’re a highly experienced Head Vet.
• You are a strong and effective communicator, able to deliver a high level of professionalism in your everyday.
• You find motivation in fostering a positive work environment. You are resilient, and able to handle challenges by applying a systematic approach to problem solving and formulating appropriate plans, finding appropriate solutions when required.
• You are aware of how your behaviour impacts others and the organisation.
• You foster collaboration across teams, understanding the importance of leading a team.
• You know what it takes to drive organisational success through operational efficiencies and strategies.

You will also have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Veterinary Science.
• Registered with the Veterinary Practitioners’ Board of Victoria.
• Post graduate studies in Veterinary Science.
• Membership of the Australian and New Zealand Collage of Veterinary Scientists.
• 5+ years’ experience in general practice.
• 5+ years’ experience in a veterinary leadership role.
• Current knowledge of clinical veterinary practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and mentor other team members.
• Experience in managing and leading a team.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with clients, employees and referring vets.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• CPD allowance.
• Work in a new, modern redeveloped hospital.
• Discounted veterinary treatment, products and pet insurance.
• Pet friendly policies – bring your dog to work.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program, delivered by one of Australia’s leading centres for psychology.
• A diverse, inclusive and supportive team environment.
• Rewarding work that provides community-based veterinary and animal welfare services.
• In-house chaplaincy support for clients in distress.

To learn more about Lort Smith and the work we do, please visit: lortsmith.com or look us up on Instagram.

For further information or to receive a position description, contact us via [email protected] using the subject line: Head Vet - Outpatients enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and making a difference, please apply directly via this ad.

Lort Smith is a great place to work. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively support workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.

Preferred applicants will be asked to consent in writing for Lort Smith Animal Hospital to conduct a police check and each application will be individually considered on its merits.