Experienced Vet Vacancy:   Geraldton, Coastal Mid-West, WA

Testimonial from our team 

I had the privilege of working for Dr Tara before relocating to Rockhampton, Central Queensland in 2021 due to my husband’s work commitments. Since that time, I have maintained a strong relationship with the Midwest family, returning as a locum on an 
as-needs basis. 

My first experience of working at Midwest coincided with the very recent purchase of the practice by Dr Tara and Practice Manager Nat. From the outset they established a work culture that was built on collaborative trust and appreciation of each team member. Professionally, this was made evident in the way staff were trained across a wide range of skills with full support given for further sharpening of people’s special interest areas. It was also made evident by careful rostering focussed on ensuring that vets and nurses alike had a sustainable work life that allowed space to refresh and spend time with family and friends.

As a vet coming into a new position, I immediately felt part of the team due to the warm welcome from the nurses and vets who generously and patiently shared their knowledge of the clinic’s day to-day workings with me. At all times, Dr Tara made herself available if I needed support or guidance - an essential for any vet joining a practice, regardless of their level of prior experience. At no time did I feel uncertain of my role due to the pre-work of Nat and Tara in providing me with a clear, transparent contractual agreement that was adhered to. 

Midwest’s reputation as a provider of consistent, high-quality compassionate care has led to it being the clinic of choice for a large client base. The compact premises has been maximised to ensure a smooth daily work flow. Clarity of roles and clear communication at the daily morning team meeting ensures a work day that can absorb the inevitable urgent walk-in appointment. 

The use of integrated veterinary software technologies such as EzyVet and SmartFlow allows a highly visible and streamlined daily work flow and ensures seamless patient management. I greatly appreciated Midwest’s commitment to paperless technology in my capacity as locum due to the accelerated familiarity it provides with day-to-day practice protocols and workings.

As a vet at Midwest, no day is the same which is highly intentional. In consultation with Dr Tara, vets may move between large animal call-outs and small animal consultations, as befits experience and preference. For those like myself who are small animal focussed, there is still nourishing variety. One may enjoy a full day of client interactions one day - then the next clothe oneself in surgery scrubs to emerge at the end of the day refreshed from a day of satisfying surgeries and conversations with colleagues.
As the sole provider of after-hours care for 70,000 people - to work at Midwest is to engage with the out-of-the-ordinary. The high uptake of after-hours consultations by the Midwest community provides on-call vets and nurses the opportunity to meet people at times of great stress with compassion and the offer of prompt, skilful veterinary care. On-call opportunities are shared between vets and nurses, and next-day responsibilities carefully managed in light of what the previous shift brought with it.

As a vet with over 25 years experience, my observation is that when the inevitable work-colleague or client-based interpersonal hiccup occurs, the key to rapid resolution lies with the management team. Practices whose boss and practice manager are present and fully engaged with the day-to day workings of the practice are well-positioned to guide team members through such times. Dr Tara and Nat have intentionally positioned themselves in the heart of the clinic, sharing the same workspace as their team every day thereby ensuring prompt accessibility and prompt resolution of such stressors. 

My current boss (for whom I have happily worked for the past 6 years) is fully supportive of my ongoing intention of locuming at Midwest on a semi-regular basis. She loves that I return energised and with a renewed enthusiasm for providing high quality veterinary care to regional communities. She also enjoys the opportunity of hearing about how “things are done” at a clinic that shares her fierce commitment to providing high-quality care across all realms of veterinary surgery and medicine within a regional context. 

If you’re an experienced vet who wants to embrace variety with compassion (and a reliable serving of out-and-out fun) - take the opportunity to reach out to Dr Tara, Nat and the Midwest team. 

Dr Virginia Grice (BVSc Hons I, BSc(Vet) Hons 1)
Senior Veterinarian
High Street Veterinary Surgery, Rockhampton QL