Back

Explore every episode of the podcast Veterinary Voices

Dive into the complete episode list for Veterinary Voices. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

Rows per page:

1–50 of 304

TitlePub. DateDuration
Navigating New Zealand's Evolving Immigration System: Insights for the Veterinary Industry and Beyond12 Nov 202400:24:08

Send us a text

Episode 211 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South, features an in-depth conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady, a seasoned New Zealand licensed immigration consultant. 

Catherine and Julie look at the latest changes in New Zealand's immigration policies and their significant impact on the veterinary industry.

Key Points Discussed:

  1. Immigration Processing Improvements:
    • Immigration New Zealand has reorganised into operational centres, leading to faster processing times.
    • Priority processing for skill level one jobs and Green List roles, including veterinarians.
    • Job checks for priority categories now processed within weeks instead of months.
  2. Accredited Employer Work Visa Review:
    • Ongoing review of the scheme with potential changes to wage requirements.
    • Possible shift from median wage requirement to minimum wage plus a factor or market rate.
    • Implications for veterinary nurse recruitment and retention.
  3. Partner Visa Changes:
    • From 2 December 2024, Partnership Work Visas will become fully open with no conditions or pay requirements.
    • This change makes it easier for partners of veterinary professionals to find work in New Zealand.
  4. Visa Application Fees and Processing:
    • Discussion on the recent fee increase and its impact on application numbers.
    • Insights into application approval rates and common issues causing delays.
  5. Single Parent Visa Applicants:
    • Special wage threshold requirements for visa applicants with dependent children.
    • Minimum annual earnings of $43,322.70 required to support dependents on a visa.

This episode provides crucial information for veterinary practices considering hiring overseas qualified professionals looking to work in New Zealand.

Discover how to navigate the complex immigration landscape, understand recent policy changes, and prepare for potential future developments in New Zealand's veterinary sector immigration policies.

Catherine's previous episodes
Episode 203
Episode 204

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Beyond Traditional Vet Nursing: Exploring Equine Therapy Research with Kristina Naden, RVN BVN05 Nov 202400:19:20

Send us a text

In this interesting episode of Veterinary Voices, Julie South catches up again with Khristina Naden, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytech, where she demonstrates how a veterinary nursing qualification can evolve into ground-breaking research. 

As Kristina shares insights from her Masters research (hopefully to be upgraded to PhD research) into therapeutic horse riding, you're are treated to a super interesting blend of scientific methodology and practical experience that bridges the gap between animal care and human therapy.

In episodes 205 and 206 Kristina's shared her non-traditional entry into veterinary nursing.   Today she expands on that to share how it's possible to expand and morph traditional veterinary nursing.  

Kristina talks about conducting international research which showcases the expanding horizons available within the veterinary nursing profession. 

Her recent presentation at a conference in Budapest highlights how veterinary expertise can contribute to broader therapeutic applications, from improving physical mobility to enhancing speech and language development in patients.

She also chats about how she was invited to present her veterinary research at a medical (human) conference; where a brief case of Imposter Syndrome kicked in.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Veterinary nursing qualifications can lead to diverse career paths, including academic research and specialised therapy programs
  2. The horse-human connection is deeply nuanced, with horses serving as sensitive indicators of human mental states - a finding that has implications for both therapeutic and recreational riding

This episode is particularly valuable for veterinary professionals considering career advancement, those interested in animal-assisted therapy, and anyone fascinated by the scientific understanding of horse-human interactions. 

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Champions of Change: Leading the Future of Veterinary Practice in New Zealand with Kevin Bryant03 Sep 202400:28:41

Send us a text

Kevin Bryant, CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), joins Julie South of VetStaff, us to share his passion and commitment to supporting veterinarians throughout their careers. 

From students to retirees, Kevin highlights the NZVA's pivotal role in championing the entire veterinary team.  

Often confused, listen as Kevin talks about the vital distinctions between the NZVA and the Vet Council (VCNZ), clarifying their unique roles and contributions to the veterinary sector in New Zealand.

Discover the extensive advocacy work spearheaded by the NZVA to improve animal welfare and veterinary practices. 

Kevin sheds light on efforts to empower trained veterinary nurses with specific dental procedures, campaigns against behaviour-modifying collars, and restrictions on public fireworks sales. 

Kevin and Julie also chat about the pressing issues of responsible antimicrobial use, veterinarians' roles in emergency responses through the One Health approach, and the crucial focus on workforce sustainability and leadership amidst economic challenges and workforce shortages. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of veterinary practice in New Zealand or who are considering moving to New Zealand to work as a veterinary professional.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Veterinary Professionalism and Collegiality - Dr Paul Unsworth - pt 3 - ep 11220 Dec 202200:22:27

Send us a text

How professional or collegial is the veterinary profession in New Zealand ?

We pick up today where Dr Paul Unsworth gets on his self-professed soapbox about the requirement for veterinarians to work after hours.  He parallels the after hours requirements and expectations of veterinary medicine versus human medicine.     

I’m interested to hear your thoughts and ideas on this – please feel free to comment wherever you’re listening to this episode.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to see the frequency of after hours roster requirements for vets changed.

And I think – this is life according to Julie – that a significant change can be made provided competitor clinics learn to play nicely and respectfully with each other after hours.

I think some clinics are virtue signalling with their intention to improve things when it comes to their teams working after hours.  Why - because they don't play nice.    They're not professional or collegial and I even challenge their levels of integrity.  

When what happens, happens, the status quo prevails and vets continue to get burnt out.

Just to clarify – to remove any cause for doubt or confusion – according to the Cambridge Dictionary – the adjective collegial means:  relating to a friendly relationship between colleagues (= people who work together)

It is also used to describe a method of working in which responsibility is shared between several people.

Again – I’m interested to hear YOUR thoughts, ideas, suggestions – so please – comment and/or email me – cos I really am interested.

Dr Paul also comes up with another possible idea to help relieve the veterinary shortage … but I’m not sure we’ve got the population to support it in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand.  

We join the conversation here with Paul hopping onto his first soap box!

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Paul Unsworth - what determines a good vet and a good vet clinic - pt 2 - ep 11113 Dec 202200:31:28

Send us a text

What makes a "good" veterinarian and/or a "good" veterinary clinic.   Today Dr Paul Unsworth challenges me - Julie South - with specificity.   

As he says, "good" and "bad" aren't easily classified.

If getting fit is on your to-do list for 2023, then stay tuned to the end to find out how to save $500 on an ebike.

Today, UK-qualified New Zealand locum veterinarian, Dr Paul Unsworth talks about and reflects on:

·       What determines a “good” vet

·       What determines a “good” clinic

·       Some of the “best” medical advances he’s seen over the course of his career

·       His favourite gadget?   [Hint:  it’s a type of endoscope – have you used this specific type of endoscope?]

·       Should vets specialise (lower case “s”) such that pet owners would then take their pets to different clinics according to the specialisation / interest of a clinic?   And………..

·       Pet Insurance – how to increase NZs take-up rate of pet insurance in kiwi clinics.

In 2023 the NZVA turns 100
If you'd like to name a nomination for the 2023 NZVA Awards, entries close on 03/03/2023.

Entry categories are:

  • Outstanding Services Award
  • President’s Award 
  • Honorary Life Membership  Award
  • Veterinary Impact Award
  • Young Veterinarian Award
  • Veterinary Business Excellence Award
  • Antimicrobial Resistance – the AMR – Award 
  • And the new award – the Environmental Sustainability Award

For more info - NZVA website.

How to save $500 on an ebike

Is getting fit on your plan for 2023 and/or you’ve been thinking about buying an ebike then your NZVA membership entitles you to a $500 saving on any full priced KTM, Gepida or Haibike e-bike at Electrify NZ or $300 off any full priced Black or SmartMotion e-bike.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Paul Unsworth - veterinary career predictions - ep 11006 Dec 202200:32:05

Send us a text

Crystal Ball Gazing

Today we do a bit of crystal ball gazing with Dr Paul Unsworth – Companion Animal Locum Veterinarian.   This is the first of a multi-part series.

We’re talking about some of the changes Dr Paul has seen since he started his career.

Gender Equality and Diversity

We also talk about gender equality and professional representation which always a topic that results in passionate debate.  Using my words, not his, the veterinary profession has evolved into having not much diversity.

We’re trying to change the way things ARE, to work within a way that WAS.   And that WAS no longer works.

If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode with Dr Jade Hackney, have a listen – because she makes some really valid points about the change that needs to happen to bring out professional longevitiy.

Menagerie of pets growing up

If you’re involved in the veterinary profession, it’s probably fair to say that most of us grew up with at least one pet.

You probably had a cat or a dog.  Maybe a bunny or another type of pocket furry … or maybe a bird… perhaps even a pony.  But I’ll be surprised if you’ve had a menagerie of pets like Dr Paul Unsworth.

Companion Animal Locum Veterinarian Dr Paul Unsworth, who’s married to Dr Rose Unsworth, who’s been a guest on this show a few times, shares what life was like as a veterinarian back in the day where James Herriot was making headlines and inspiring lots of British young men and women to become veterinarians.

James Herriot

If you’re too young to know who James Herriot is, that’s the pen name of James Alfred Wight who worked as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales in England.

His first book, published in 1969, was “If Only They Could Talk”, followed up by “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet”.

Both of these books were published as a volume in the US as “All Creatures Great and Small”.

We start of the conversation where I asked Dr Paul about starting out as a veterinarian when James Herriot was known to many…

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Jade Hackney - it's time for a new business model - thriving clinics with part timers - pt 3 - ep 10929 Nov 202200:26:48

Send us a text

The old model of running a veterinary business no longer works - it's time for a fresh look and different approach.

This is the final episode (of 3) is Dr Jade Hackney’s series about life after veterinary burnout and recovery.

At the Christchurch wellness symposium I - Julie South - spent the first day sitting next to a part-time vet - she:  

  • worked 3x 10-hour days... 
  • was a fully engaged, high producing, veterinarian totally committed to her clinic...   
  • had a life outside of her clinic which lit her up.

If you’re a veterinary professional who wants to work part-time but doesn’t know how to re-enter professional clinical life, please get in touch with me at vetstaff.co.nz because I’d love to help you.  

Your skills and expertise are valuable – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise “just” because you’re a part timer.

Today, Jade and I both invite clinic owners to consider the benefits of employing part timers – that’s where we join the conversation.

Jade calls out clinics who're still working the "old" business model that clearly, no longer works today.   It's time for a shakeup and reboot!

I hope you find Jade’s story enlightening and encouraging.

If you’re a clinic owner and would like to see whether you can change things around a bit at your clinic then please get in touch with me through vetstaff
 
Let’s find out what questions need to be asked at your clinic to have a happier team at your place.

If you’re a veterinary professional wanting to return to clinical practice but have some of those fears, uncertainties and doubts Jade mentioned, please get in touch with me – I’d love to help you return to the workforce in a way that respects, honours and values you as a person and professional.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit that follow button (it’s free) and give it a 5-star review wherever you’re listening to it right now.  Why? Because it makes a huge difference to helping the search algorithms serve it up for others to listen to.  Thanks heaps!

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


From Burnout to Living Life to the Full - Companion Animal Veterinarian - Dr Jade Hackney - pt 2 - ep10822 Nov 202200:33:39

Send us a text

This is the second in the multi part series where Companion Animal Veterinarian Dr Jade Hackney  shares her path to living life to the full as a healthy and loving, long-term life partner and fully engaged veterinarian.

Dr Jade talks about:

  • the moment she and her life partner realised they no longer wanted to work fulltime in jobs they didn't enjoy to pay someone else's mortgage;
  • their journey to owning their own home in their 30s - mortgage-free;
  • what 'living life to the full' means to Jade;
  • living the dream with 'pinch yourself moments' each day;
  • the freedom available to you when you start something with a Beginner's Mind and how knowing how something should be done can be an impediment;
  • living the WWOOF lifestyle for a while;
  • how vet clinics can employ part timers and be better off for it;
  • how it's easier to blame others, but that's not what being emotionally intelligent is;
  • how it's important - critical! - to focus only on what you can control - your own thoughts and feelings - and not worry about what you can't - other people's thoughts or feelings.

Listen to the first part of the conversation - episode 107.

 If you're a vet or vet nurse considering your next vet job (locum or permanent) in New Zealand the team at VetStaff is here to help.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Veterinary Burnout and Recovery with Dr Jade Hackney - ep 10715 Nov 202200:32:44

Send us a text

You can take the person out of vetting but can you take vetting out of the person?   

This series of episodes with Dr Jade Hackney was recorded a few months’ ago but I thought the topic was very relevant – especially for veterinary professionals who may be reconsidering their careers in the veterinary space… especially the clinical veterinary space.

For example, when you reconsider your career as a veterinarian – not once, but twice – what might that look like and what’s life like on the other side?

This episode is personal and emotional.  If you’re standing on a bit of shaky ground right now, hopefully you’ll find Jade’s journey both insightful and hopeful.  

If you’re standing on VERY shaky ground please call or text 1737 and chat with someone who won’t judge you.  That’s 1737.  

Today’s episode doesn’t talk about suicide but it is about burnout.   And hope and recovery.

I’m with locum Companion Animal Veterinarian - Dr Jade Hackney – a graduate from the University of Dublin - shares her personal burnout, meltdown and recovery journey about what life is like on the other side as a practicing veterinarian.

Jade was born in Northern Ireland but when she was 11 months old her parents moved to Malawi, where she lived until she was 11.   

She encountered a huge culture shock when her parents returned to Northern Ireland.  This lead to the beginning of unpleasant times for Jade.

In 2014 she experienced burnout through working 1-in-4 weekends + 1 night a week on call, with no time off in lieu, and minimal collegial support.   As she shares, she thought at this point she’d never practice as a clinical veterinarian again.   

In 2015 Jade started her journey of self-care, recovery and work-life balance.   

One thing that really struck me with Jade’s language is her ownership of her own EQ – her own emotional intelligence.   

It’s a very small thing but when Jade catches herself referring to the “global you” when she’s really meaning herself, she corrects from “you” – disownership, to “I” – full ownership.

Listen out for it as it’s something that people who have high emotional intelligence do … she starts off by saying “you” and will correct to say “I”.

We kick off with me asking Jade when she knew she wanted to be a vet.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Climate Change Ambassador - NZ Vet Association - Dr Jane Ough - pt 2 - ep 10608 Nov 202200:24:53

Send us a text

This is the second of the two part series with Dr Jane Ough – Companion Animal Veterinarian at South Wairarapa Vets – who’s wearing her very new New Zealand Veterinary Association Climate Change Ambassador’s hat.

If you haven’t listened to the first part – 105 – I recommend you do that, to give you context for today’s continuation of our chat.

We join the conversation where Jane expresses how worried she is that not enough people are taking steps to offset their own carbon footprint ramifications and global warming.   

She also talks about more initiatives South Wairarapa Vets have implemented and the responses she’s getting from both staff and clients.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Climate Change Ambassador - NZ Vet Association - Dr Jane Ough - pt 1 - ep 10501 Nov 202200:28:13

Send us a text

Today we’re with Dr Jane Ough – Companion Animal Veterinarian at South Wairarapa Vets – who’s wearing her very new New Zealand Veterinary Association Climate Change Ambassador’s hat.

This is the second time Dr Jane has been on Paws Claws Wet Noses.   

You can listen to her previous episodes 87, 88 and 89 – where she introduced the climate change initiatives South Wairarapa Vets has implemented.  

Today, Jane talks about how the NZVA Climate Change Ambassador volunteer position came about and some of the first steps the Vet Association is taking to find out more about its own carbon footprint.

She also talks about more initiatives South Wairarapa Vets have implemented and the responses she’s getting from both staff and clients.

 We start the conversation here with me asking Jane what she’s been up to since the last time we caught up, which was before the NZVA Conference in June 2022.

I think you'll be equally impressed by her passion (even if you don't agree with everything she says) as I am!

If you enjoyed this podcast please hit that follow button (it’s free) and give it a 5-star review wherever you’re listening to it right now.  Why? Because it makes a huge difference to helping the search algorithms serve it up for others to listen to.  Thanks heaps!

Tune in again next week where Dr Jane shares more of what they’ve been doing at South Wairarapa and the differences they’re making.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Prof John Munday continued - world first RAS research to treat cancer in cats and dogs - pt 2 - ep 10425 Oct 202200:27:02

Send us a text

The second in the two part series where Professor John Munday talks about his world-first RAS research to treat cancer in cats and dogs.   

After graduating, he worked for 2 years in a mixed animal practice in Whangarei. 

He then returned to Massey and completed a PhD. 

After completing his doctorate John then did a 2-year residency in veterinary pathology at Michigan State University before working as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia for 4 years. 

It was at this time he decided to return home and joined the veterinary pathology department at Massey University.   

In addition to teaching the veterinary students, Prof Munday also developed a research interest in cancer in animals.

This includes investigating the causes of cancer in animals as well as developing ways to better predict how cancers will behave in animals. 

More recently, he started investigating ways that cancers in animals can be treated… although he’s quick to remind people he’s not a veterinary oncologist so that his main interest is in investigating completely novel new ways to treat cancer in animals.

Professor Munday is a Diplomate of the ACVP – the American College of Veterinary Pathologists – so he’s a boarded veterinary pathologist. 

This means he has a better than good knowledge of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of a wide variety of endemic and exotic animal diseases.

He has approximately 20 years' experience as a diagnostic pathologist in both New Zealand and in the US. 

Using his pathology background, Prof Munday has collaborated with studies examining tissues from a variety of animal species including mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, fish, and horses. 

Currently, his main research interests are the diagnosis and prognostic markers for neoplasia in companion animals and the role of  infectious agents in the development of cancer in domestic species. 

He recently wrote a chapter in the premier textbook in veterinary cancer pathology and has a broad knowledge of the diagnostic techniques and prognostic markers available both in veterinary medicine as well as for some cancers of people.

His interest in infectious diseases has resulted in him establishing an association between papillomavirus infection and skin cancer in cats and much of his current research is further validating that relationship and developing clinical applications for this knowledge. 

Prof Munday has also developed skills in molecular biology and was the first to fully sequence and classify two papillomaviruses from domestic cats. 

He was also the first to prove that the papillomavirus that causes feline sarcoids has a bovine definitive host. Overall, he’s authored 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts and currently has a group of 3 PhD students for which he’s the chief supervisor.

I hope you enjoy listening to his current world-first research taking place downunder in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand.   We join the conversation where I ask him how this world first cat and dog cancer research started.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Prof John Munday - world first RAS research to treat cancer in cats and dogs - pt 1 - ep 10318 Oct 202200:32:44

Send us a text

Professor John Munday is a Massey University graduate. 

After graduating, he worked for 2 years in a mixed animal practice in Whangarei. 

He then returned to Massey and completed a PhD.  

After completing his doctorate John then did a 2-year residency in veterinary pathology at Michigan State University before working as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia for 4 years.  

It was at this time he decided to return home and joined the veterinary pathology department at Massey University.   

In addition to teaching the veterinary students, Prof Munday also developed a research interest in cancer in animals. 

This includes investigating the causes of cancer in animals as well as developing ways to better predict how cancers will behave in animals.  

More recently, he started investigating ways that cancers in animals can be treated… although he’s quick to remind people he’s not a veterinary oncologist so that his main interest is in investigating completely novel new ways to treat cancer in animals. 

Professor Munday is a Diplomate of the ACVP – the American College of Veterinary Pathologists – so he’s a boarded veterinary pathologist.  

This means he has a better than good knowledge of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of a wide variety of endemic and exotic animal diseases. 

He has approximately 20 years' experience as a diagnostic pathologist in both New Zealand and in the US.  

Using his pathology background, Prof Munday has collaborated with studies examining tissues from a variety of animal species including mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, fish, and horses.  

Currently, his main research interests are the diagnosis and prognostic markers for neoplasia in companion animals and the role of  infectious agents in the development of cancer in domestic species.  

He recently wrote a chapter in the premier textbook in veterinary cancer pathology and has a broad knowledge of the diagnostic techniques and prognostic markers available both in veterinary medicine as well as for some cancers of people. 

His interest in infectious diseases has resulted in him establishing an association between papillomavirus infection and skin cancer in cats and much of his current research is further validating that relationship and developing clinical applications for this knowledge.  

Prof Munday has also developed skills in molecular biology and was the first to fully sequence and classify two papillomaviruses from domestic cats.  

He was also the first to prove that the papillomavirus that causes feline sarcoids has a bovine definitive host. Overall, he’s authored 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts and currently has a group of 3 PhD students for which he’s the chief supervisor.

I hope you enjoy listening to his current world-first research taking place downunder in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand.   We join the conversation where I ask him how this world first cat and dog cancer research started.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Paving the Path Forward with Veterinary Voices27 Aug 202400:06:24

Send us a text

Join Julie South in this milestone episode of the Vet Staff podcast as she reflects on an incredible journey spanning 199 episodes, five continents, 100 countries, and 1400 cities. 

From its humble beginnings during New Zealand's 2020 lockdown to becoming a global platform for veterinary professionals, the podcast has defied the odds in a world where 90% of podcasts never make it past their third episode.

Julie shares a bit of the hard work, dedication, and passion that have fuelled the podcast's success, and she expresses heartfelt gratitude to loyal listeners around the world.

As the podcast evolves into "Veterinary Voices," Julie is excited to introduce a new chapter that continues to celebrate the veterinary profession in New Zealand and beyond.

In this episode, Julie previews the exciting line up of guests for the upcoming "Veterinary Voices," including Kevin Bryant, CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, and Associate Professor Laura Harvey, President of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association. 

With engaging conversations and inspiring stories, the new series promises to highlight the best of the veterinary industry in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Don't miss out on this exciting transition! Hit the follow button on your favourite podcast app to stay connected and be part of the next 199 episodes celebrating veterinary excellence.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Megan Alderson - The Vet Thrive Collective - Veterinary Mental Wellbeing - ep 10211 Oct 202200:33:30

Send us a text

Dr Megan Alderson, Companion Animal Veterinarian  + principal and partner of the Strand Veterinarian in Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand, introduces her new initiative The Vet Thrive Collective.

In this episode Dr Megan and Julie talk about the six shields (tenets) that form part of the Vet Thrive Collective wellbeing programme:

  • Breathe
  • Rest
  • Nourish
  • Flow
  • Forgive
  • Compassion

Dr Megan (and Dr Francesca from last week) will be presenting at the NZVA Wellbeing and Business Symposiums in Christchurch, NZ, in November 2022.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Vet Clinic Client Research with Dr Francesca Brown - part 2 - ep 10104 Oct 202200:33:38

Send us a text

Continuing on from episode 100 is part 2 of Dr Francesca Brown's research about what vet clinic clients want.

The importance of training front line staff.

Regard staff training as an investment, not a cost.

A valuable strategy vet clinics can copy from dental clinics to help improve their bottom line.

How important (or not) is pet insurance?   

How the 20 / 80 Pareto Principal plays out in clinic and how you can implement strategies to get more clients like the 20% you currently have who’re bringing in 80% of your turnover.

The importance of putting the fee where it should be (intellectual property and capital) not with meds.

What to do when clients have referred to Dr Google.

The similarities between vet clinics and midwifery clinics that affect the bottom line and clients having a positive experience.

What would have been helpful for Dr Francesca to have heard / been taught, as a vet student.

What clinical auditing could look like to help improve vet clinic client satisfaction.

The importance of reverse-engineering what happens when things go wrong to ensure no repeat performance.

The difference between having values on the wall for all to see and those clinics that live their values.

How growing clinics use feedback – positive and negative - to propel them forward.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


What do vet clinic clients really want? Dr Francesca Brown research - ep 10027 Sep 202200:34:55

Send us a text

Dr Francesca Brown is a veterinarian who graduated from Massey University’s class of 1998.  

Since graduating and gaining experience in clinical practice she moved to education and then leadership in Allied Veterinary Professional education, at both Otago Polytechnic, as the Head of the School of Veterinary Nursing and nationally as the Chair of the Educational Standards committee for Allied Veterinary Professionals. 

Over her career Dr Francesca’s seen first-hand, and through her network of colleagues in the industry (both vets and allied veterinary professionals), the significant challenges faced to personnel. 

Today she talks about one of her most recent research projects – which she expects to publish in early 2023 – Veterinary Client Storytelling.

Dr Francesca wanted to know “what’s important to clients when they visit a vet clinic”.   

Dr Francesca discusses the following questions and top level ‘more research required’ topics:    

What can clinics do to improve the clients’ experience when they visit?

Are clinics relying too heavily on the sale / inclusion of medication as a revenue generating component?

What steps can veterinary staff – from front of house through to the veterinarian – do to greatly enhance the clients’ experience?

How to recognise the critically important human-animal bond to each individual client

Listen to what the client has to say – explain the rationale for discounting Dr Google’s diagnosis

Offer professional guidance when giving clients choices around future treatment option(s)

The importance of partnership clinic+client+pet

Would clients pay extra to have more time to settle their pets?

Would slowing things down and allowing more time be beneficial?   What would the benefits look like?

How important is always seeing the same vet to the client?

What needs to happen is this standard practice in a clinic?

How can the clinic + client relationship be maintained?   

How can feedback become a gift?

What can clinics / people do when a blind spot is exposed?

 

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


5 steps to creating an Employer Value Proposition (EVP) that attracts high performers20 Sep 202200:25:18

Send us a text

EVP – Employee Value Proposition – the tacit understanding about how an employer treats its employees

What an employer promises its employees goes beyond the legal requirements of being paid for the work done (by the employee) and the health and safety obligations employers have.

It’s about whether your clinic allows a blind eye to be turned when someone’s bullied … or a sexist, ageist or racist comment is made … it’s about whether you might experience an eye-roll because you’re taking your break but no one else does …

In addition, your clinic’s EVP covers the monetary and non-monetary benefits it provides to its employees.

5 components of EVP – Employee Value Proposition

  1. Remuneration (or compensation) package
  2. Benefits
  3. Career Development
  4. Clinic Environment
  5. Clinic Culture

6 steps to EVP development and implementation at your vet clinic

  1. Identify what your clinic currently offers
  2. Get feedback from employees (past and present)
  3. Identify and define the key points to include in the EVP
  4. Draft your EVP –  Check it out with your team (rinse and repeat if necessary)
  5. Start using it
  6. Test, measure and re-evaluate your EVP
VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


4 ways to create a vet clinic culture worth celebrating - 09813 Sep 202200:24:28

Send us a text

When you – or your team – show up for work at your vet clinic, what is it you want them to feel and think about working at your clinic?

Do you – or they - feel excited or exhausted?  Delighted or filled with dread?  Full of optimism or cynicism?

Culture exists whether you like it or not.   

Whether the culture at your clinic is positive or negative, you’ve still got a cultural vibe happening.

Signposts indicating whether the culture at your clinic is positive or negative include employee turnover, absenteeism (eg, sick days), productivity and engagement levels.

A positively-cultured vet clinic will have low employee turnover and absenteeism and high productivity and engagement levels.

A negatively-cultured clinic will have the opposite – high turnover and absenteeism and low productivity and engagement levels.

People leave workplaces because of the people.

Before you can start working on the four steps to celebration-worthy clinic culture though, you need to answer five preliminary questions first.   

These questions are:

  1. How well does your team enjoy their work?   You want them to be excited about turning up for work on Monday mornings – not dreading the end of the weekend.  
  2. Are there levels of accountability and responsibility in place for each team member?  Allowing individual team members to take a level of ownership helps them feel connected.
  3. How engaged is your team – collectively and individually?  Do they believe that what they do matters to the clinic they work at – not just the lives they save?   Is your clinic’s mission one that is inspirational and commit-worthy?  
  4. What is your team’s sense of camaraderie and respect? People like to be involved and know their word and work are trusted.
  5. How does your clinic invest in your employees?  How do you show recognition for jobs well done and people who’re valued?  

Four Steps to Having Culture Worth Celebrating

#1 - Lay the foundation - determine your clinic's

  • Your clinic’s MISSION statement: This tells the entire world – yes, everyone – your employees, your clients and your suppliers – why your clinic’s in business. It’s a brief statement.
  • Your clinic’s VISION statement: This is an aspirational statement of what your vet clinic envisions to be down the road. It should be emotional and motivation.
  • Your clinic’s VALUES: These are what everyone on your team believes and wants to uphold.  Your clinic’s values hold everyone to the highest, or let everyone get away with the lowest, acceptable behaviour.  These are the foundation of your clinic’s culture.  

#2 - Take your clinic's culture temperature

  • culture / engagement survey

#3 - Get Buy-in

  • focus groups
  • Do you have the right leadership team in place that models your clinic’s values?
  • When you recruit, does your clinic naturally at
VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


How to increase staff retention at your clinic by 82% - 09706 Sep 202200:25:40

Send us a text

Here are six make-sense steps to help increase staff retention at your clinic by 82% and increase staff engagement by 70%

Onboarding is the bridge between the final stage of recruitment and the first step in employee engagement.

Onboarding is more than asking your new hire to fill out a whole bunch of forms on their first day.   

Onboarding is a systematic process to ensure your newest employee believes they've made the right decision to accept your job offer!

The 6 Cs of onboarding (reference Dr Tayla Bauer) are:

  •  Compliance
  • Clarification
  • Confidence
  • Connection
  • Culture
  • Checkback

#LoveYourVetNurse 2022 competition results - Leader Board Week 3:

3rd place - Levin and Horowhenua Vets
2nd place - Te Aroha Vets
1st place -  Hamilton Small Animal Vet Centre

https://www.vetstaff.co.nz/news-media/vet-nurse-awareness-week-2022/



VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Cath Watson - Companion Animal Veterinarian - Healthy Pets New Zealand - pt 3 of 330 Aug 202200:22:38

Send us a text

What is "constructive dismissal" - 101 employment law overview with Julie South.  

Dr Cath Watson - Chair of Healthy Pets NZ talks about ways supports can get involved in fundraising.   

Cath talks about "Dogs Day Out" and Kerikeri artist Tessa Smith. Julie South announces last week's leader board in the VetStaff annual "Love Your Vet Nurse" competition in honour of Vet Nurse Awareness Week 2022.  

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Cath Watson - Companion Animal Veterinarian - Healthy Pets New Zealand - pt2 09523 Aug 202200:33:18

Send us a text

Part 2 of 3 chats Julie South had with Companion Animal Veterinarian and Chair of Healthy Pets New Zealand, Dr Cath Watson.

This week Julie and Cath chat about some of the research that Healthy Pets NZ has undertaken.

#LoveYourVetNurse annual competition in honour of Vet Nurse Awareness Week - Julie announces the leader board results after the first week of competition.

It's the best competition VetStaff has ever run - the enthusiasm from clinics has been almost overwhelming!

Kotahikanga (unity/togetherness)

Matautanga (continuous drive to learn)

Manakitanga (human:animal bond)

Haporitanga (family community bond)

Kaitiakitanga (we are the voice, we are their guardian)

Enter the LoveYourVetNurse competition today!

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Cath Watson - Companion Animal Veterinarian - Healthy Pets New Zealand - pt1 09416 Aug 202200:30:38

Send us a text

Dr Cath Watson, BVSc - Companion Animal Veterinarian - has worked in a range of practices, both in here in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand and in the United Kingdom.   She’s been a locum, an employee, and a business owner.

Right now, Cath’s based in Central Otago but travels the country as a locum. 

The reason Cath and Julie South of VetStaff are talking today is because of Cath's involvement in Healthy Pets New Zealand – a really special New Zealand research charity.   

In her spare time, Cath has a passion for anything outdoors and loves exploring New Zealand's back-country by foot, bike, kayak or skis.   

Healthy Pets New Zealand

Healthy Pets NZ is a registered charity that supports research into improved health and welfare for kiwi pets. 

Established by the Companion Animal Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association in 1998, Healthy Pets is a team of volunteer veterinary professionals consisting of veterinarians, researchers, veterinary nurses and educators. Each is passionate about outcome focussed research that assists companion animals in New Zealand. 

Fundraising at Healthy Pets

Healthy Pets doesn't receive any government grants so fundraises through sponsorships, bequests and donations for outcome-focused research. This research makes a difference to the lives of kiwi pets and their owners. 

Over the last 20 years, Healthy Pets research has resulted in new diagnostic and treatment options becoming available to the veterinary profession in New Zealand. 

They recently began funding research into the value of pets to society and the human-pet bond. 

Healthy Pets research continues to help improve care, results in new and better diagnostic investigation, and explores new treatment options for a range of issues affecting kiwi pets.

Healthy Pets researchers seek to publish their results and communicate important findings to the public.

Healthy Pets Research

Research Objectives

  • To promote better public understanding of companion animal welfare, breeding, nutrition, management, health, diseases and performance.
  • To encourage the study and understanding of companion animals in New Zealand.
  • To foster project or welfare work in connection with companion animals.
  • To assist with projects related to advancing the wellbeing of all companion animals.

Healthy Pets New Zealand research.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


6 things to consider before you accept the counter job offer - 09308 Aug 202200:21:53

Send us a text

Before you start looking for your next vet or vet nurse job – there are some things you need to do first – to avoid heartbreak and stress further down the track.

In summary

Get clear on why you’re considering a new job.   If you like where you are, give your current clinic the opportunity to meet you in the middle.   If you’re a good vet or nurse and you match the culture and vice versa, they’ll want to keep you.   

Giving them the opportunity ahead of you looking elsewhere is the right thing to do.    

If that doesn’t work and you end up in a counter-offer situation then here’re the six Qs to ask yourself:

#1 - Why the counter offer now?

#2 - Will earning more money fix what’s wrong?

#3 - At face value is staying at your current clinic, the best clinic for you?    

#4 - Is accepting the counter offer the best decision for your career – in the long run?

#5 - How will your relationship with your co-workers change?  

#6 – Why are you leaving?   Really?   Revisit your list – why are you leaving?   What is going to change?

Do you want to stay?

Staying is the easy way – especially if/when your current clinic presents you with a counter offer.

In your mind’s eye, I want you to fast forward when considering whether you want to stay.   

Ask yourself:  

·       Are you prepared to step into your challenge zone  – ie, out of your comfort zone – and negotiate something better today?  Without looking for another job?

·       Do you feel ‘brave’ enough that you’ll be well received?    That doesn’t mean that your requests will be met, but that you won’t be ridiculed or bullied simply because you asked.   

·       What will it take for you to stay?

·       If they say no now, and then make you a counter offer down the track, what will you do at that point?  Will you remember they weren’t willing to do this until backed into a corner?

Because maybe, just maybe, you can negotiate with your current clinic terms that make you want to stay.  

My recommendation is to do that before you start looking for another job.   Not in a counter offer situation.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


The Paradox of Slowing Down to Speed Up - Pomodoro on Steroids20 Aug 202400:21:36

Send us a text

What if the key to skyrocketing your veterinary practice's productivity lies in the counterintuitive strategy of slowing down?

Today, Julie South takes you on a journey through the art of effective time management that is so opposite to what you'd expect, it's paradoxically pretty amazing!

Discover how the Pomodoro technique—working in focused intervals with strategic breaks—can transform your workday.

Hear success stories and discover how you can implement similar work rhythm strategies in smaller veterinary practices.

You're guaranteed you'll find practical tips on setting aside time for special projects and upskilling your team, drawing inspiration from Atlassian's "Ship It Days."

Feel the power of achieving a flow state and get actionable steps to create distraction-free zones and extend deep work sessions gradually.

Julie shares the roadmap she uses for reorganising clinic rosters to suit your team's preferred working hours. By building teamwork and showing early wins, you'll discover how to overcome resistance and cultivate a happier, more creative, and resilient workforce.

Forget working harder; discover how working smarter can lead to a more adaptable and skilled veterinary team. Join Julie in this episode and embrace these innovative strategies to elevate your practice today!

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


7 attributes of great team players - 09202 Aug 202200:26:43

Send us a text

7 attributes of great team players

1.     Understand their role

2.     Embrace collaboration

3.     Hold themselves accountable

4.     Committed to their team

5.     Flexible

6.     Optimistic and future-focussed

7.     Can be relied upon and trusted

Johari Window + 56 adjectives

5 things to compare yourself to every day

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


5 great leadership skills to develop in your vet clinic and life - ep 09126 Jul 202200:29:57

Send us a text

What makes a great leader?    

Are people born natural leaders or can leadership be developed and taught?

What’s the difference between a LEADER and a MANAGER?

Did you realise that when you, or someone on your team is a great leader (or not) it affects your clinic’s ability to attract and recruit great vets and nurses?   

Three differences Leadership vs Management

1. Process vs Vision

2. Organising vs Aligning

3. Position vs Quality

Five Qualities of Effective Leaders 

Here are five leadership attributes and qualities that effective leaders have in their personal and professional lives.  These are men and women who inspire others to take action and set a course for future success. 

1.           Become more self-aware and prioritise personal development.

2.           Focus on developing others

3.           Encourage strategic thinking, innovation, action and diversity

4.           Ensure you’re ethical and civic-minded.

5.           Practice effective cross-cultural communication

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


WORD POWER - how one small word can undermine your authority & leadership - ep 09019 Jul 202200:23:05

Send us a text

One small word - four different situations when you probably don't even realise you're using it + examples of how to swap to a statement more empowering and powerful (without being bossy or aggressive).

A world first (as far as we can tell) initiative from VetStaff - we're looking for pilot veterinary clinics to be part of our Beta Launch. 

You don't have to be an existing VetStaff client to participate.   If you want to DIY your own recruitment then this new initiative is perfect for you.   To find out more email julie@vetstaff.co.nz.

Everyone and everything we do at VetStaff is underpinned by two core beliefs.  

The first is that we believe all veterinary professionals deserve to work at a vet clinic job of their dreams where they’re respected and valued.  

The second is that all vet clinics deserve to have engaged and motivated employees working for them who love Monday mornings.  

If that sounds like the type of recruitment agency you’d like to work with, then please check us out at vetstaff.co.nz 

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Pressure is not Stress + Dr Jane Ough - pt 3 of 3 - more winners - ep 08912 Jul 202200:23:31

Send us a text

Pressure is not Stress - Nick Petrie - Presenter at the NZVA 2022 Conference - VBB session

Nicholas Petrie

What "human rumination" is.

Julie shares one of the ways she gets out of downward rumination spirals when she recognises them playing out in her life.

Nick Petrie's White Paper - Pressure is Not Stress - 4 steps to be resilient in disruptive times

Dr Jane Ough - Companion Animal Veterinarian and Conservationist - part 3 of 3

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Vet Salary Data + Chocolate Tuesday Winner + Conservation with Dr Jane Ough - pt 2 of 3 - EP 08805 Jul 202200:33:21

Send us a text

VETERINARY CLINIC SALARY DATA

Dr Mark Hosking, CEO of Franklin Vets, is a member of the NZVAs Veterinary Business Branch – the VBB.   

At the recent NZVA Conference he introduced BBVet, an Australian company which runs a series of surveys tailored to the New Zealand veterinary profession. 

Clinics that contribute to the data, will have access to high quality benchmarking information to be able to make meaningful decisions in their businesses.     

Having quality, reliable data enables business owners to drive better business decisions.    For example, 

  • When it comes to wages and salaries – are you in the race or totally off the pace?
  • Fees survey – make sure you don’t get left behind! And 
  • Profit and expenses survey – can you do better?

If your clinic contributes to this data, you’ll be able to participate in, and receive benchmarking information from, a series of professional and independently run surveys tailored to the New Zealand veterinary profession and you can have all of this info for the very reasonable monthly subscription of just $69pm.   

The only way you can access the info is by contributing to the surveys and you'll be able to:

  • Have the option to participate in any survey that the NZVA and BBVet offers
  • Get access to interactive graphics and scenario planning, and if you want it,
  • Get access to a hard copy PDF report

 The Veterinary Business Branch of the NZVA has worked with BBVet to ensure the survey structure and questions are suitable for the New Zealand veterinary market.   

You can “cut and dice” the data - for example by species or region.   Obviously, the more participants there are, the more valid and useful the information will be.

And just in case you’re wondering, the NZVA has been in touch with the Commerce Commission.   The Association has received general advice that it’s acceptable to run this survey, providing the information is not promoted or used as a way to organise price fixing or collusion.   

The NZVA may use the information gathered to foster conversations in the advocacy space.
The only people who will be able to see your individual data will be BBVet, who need to do so for administration purposes. 

The NZVA will be able to access macro information only (no site-specific information) which will be important for its advocacy work.   

No-one will be able to view any scenario planning you do at a site level.

To find out more about BBVet and the man behind everything, you can visit the main website at http://www.mpvconsulting.com.au/.

To register your clinic’s contribution to the salary data, visit portal.bbvet.net/nz/

Dr Jane Ough - pt 2 of 3
#ChocolateTuesday's winner

Click here:  To enter the #ChocolateTuesday lucky dip draw

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Conference Competitions and Conservation + Dr Jane Ough - pt 1 of 328 Jun 202200:34:19

Send us a text

Dr Jane Ough is a Senior Companion Animal Veterinarian at South Wairarapa Veterinary Services.   

Dr Jane’s time and pathway to the veterinarian she is today is quite different from the usual career path of veterinarians.  

She’s from the BVSc Massey class of 1982.   

Today, Dr Jane enjoys orthopaedic surgery especially mending broken farm dogs. 

Dr Ough became concerned about climate change when her two daughters were children.   She gained a diploma in Environment and Sustainability when her children were little, through the Open Polytech in 2010. 

Dr Jane is a passionate conservationist.   And I mean passionate!  She and her partner Jeremy have retired two thirds of their small farm in the Wairarapa and covenanted it with the Queen Elizabeth II Trust. 

Working one day a week for QE2 for 2 years Dr Jane said improved her understanding of native forest regeneration.   She now spends this day a week on her own covenant, and, working with the local catchment group, helped set up and is helping South Wairarapa Veterinary Services take Climate Crisis Action to run a more sustainable business.   

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Iain McLachlan - CEO and Registrar - New Zealand Veterinary Council - pt 3 of 321 Jun 202200:26:26

Send us a text

The third and final episode with Iain McLachlan – CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Council.

We talk about:

  • the veterinary shortage, 
  • the nursing shortage, 
  • why the NZ VC doesn’t include two of the world’s top 10 veterinary science universities in its List of Recognised Institutions, 
  • when it's going to update that list of Recognised Institutions, 
  • what clinics can do if they absolutely cannot manage their after-hours obligations, and 
  • what “limited registration” means.

Today Iain and I talk about:

  • How VCNZ is helping kiwi vet clinics employ vets whose overseas qualifications aren’t recognised here.
  • How VCNZ is supporting NZ clinics get more vets working under what’s known here as Limited Scope Registration.
  • What needs to happen for allied veterinary professionals and VNs to be able to do more in-clinic that helps free up Registered Veterinarians so they can do more of the work that legally, they’re the only ones who can do whatever it is.  
  • He explains what VNs and Techs can legally do in NZ now.
  • We talk about consumer education and who can do what to help with that – especially around the expectation / perception of fees.  
  • He talks about what VCNZ does and what its “job” is.
  • And then we wrap up with what Iain’s been doing as a way to manage his mental health and stress levels.   

Tune in to hear about the last development and changes taking place at VetStaff.   And just in case you didn't know:  

there are two basic beliefs everyone at VetStaff has and which underpin everything we do – and that is 

  1. we believe that all veterinary professionals deserve to work in a job of their dreams where they’re valued and respected and
  2. we also believe that all veterinary employers of choice deserve to have the best staff – ones who’re engaged, committed and are excited about going to work each day.
VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Iain McLachlan - CEO and Registrar - New Zealand Veterinary Council - pt 2 of 314 Jun 202200:27:48

Send us a text

The second of three episodes with Iain McLachlan – CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Council.

We talk about:

  • the veterinary shortage, 
  • the nursing shortage, 
  • why the NZ VC doesn’t include two of the world’s top 10 veterinary science universities in its List of Recognised Institutions, 
  • when it's going to update that list of Recognised Institutions, 
  • what clinics can do if they absolutely cannot manage their after-hours obligations, and 
  • what “limited registration” means.

Today Iain answers the questions about:

  • why the Council won’t allow an overseas qualified vet with considerable years of expertise in their chosen field – for example as a dairy vet or equine vet – work in NZ without requiring them to sit additional exams covering species they have no intention of working as a veterinarian in.  
  • What Iain would say to overseas qualified veterinarians who have to sit the AVE exams and answer questions about species they have no future intention of working in. 
  • How and why the Australians are involved. 
  • Why can’t the AVE exams be held in NZ to help allay the Covid-induced backlog of overseas qualified vets waiting to sit those exams in Brisbane. 
  • What Iain would say to overseas qualified vets who’re seeing reports in the NZ media about the shortage we have here of veterinarians but they’re unable to help alleviate the situation because they cannot legally practise as a Veterinarian. 
  • What the smaller vet clinics can do when they’re absolutely overloaded and cannot handle another night of being on call. 
  • And we talked a bit about the business opportunity for a telehealth after hours service or overload service to be started and/or expanded in NZ.
VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Iain McLachlan - CEO and Registrar - New Zealand Veterinary Council - pt 1 of 307 Jun 202200:33:36

Send us a text

Today we start the first of three episodes where Iain McLachlan – CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Council – and I, talk about the veterinary shortage, the nursing shortage, why the NZ VC doesn’t include two of the world’s top 10 veterinary science universities in its List of Recognised Institutions, when is it going to update that list of Recognised Institutions, what clinics can do if they absolutely cannot manage their after-hours obligations, and what “limited registration” means.

Back in April this year, VetStaff conducted its annual Veterinary Sector State of the Nation Survey –  the results are interesting.

For example, one third of the respondents said they weren’t earning enough to live on and were going backwards financially, one third said they were earning just enough to live on, but not enough to contribute to a rainy day savings account, and one third were earning enough and were able to contribute to a rainy day savings account.

Now, when you hear those numbers it’s pretty easy to think that given two thirds of the respondents were going backwards financially or were earning just enough to survive, that the mix of respondents must have been two-thirds vet nurses and one third vets.

After all, it’s no secret that nurses’ pay rates really do need some serious increases beyond just the CPI.

However, that wasn’t the makeup of respondents at all.   In fact, the split of vets and nurses came in exactly equal with 42.7% of the respondents being vets and exactly 42.7% were nurses.  

The balance of just under 15% was made up of admin staff – like PMs and HR managers as well as veterinary technicians.

I haven’t crunched the numbers that deep, but it’s kinda fair to surmise that there are some vets who aren’t earning enough to contribute to their rainy day emergency fund.

The Vet Council cannot control pay rates – that’s not its function.   Yet I was surprised by the number of respondents who somehow thought that was a power the Council had.   I asked lots of other questions of Iain that came from the survey, but I didn’t raise the question of pay rates because it’s beyond his and the Council’s control.  

Iain McLachlan is the CEO & Registrar of the New Zealand Veterinary Council.  He’s responsible for leading and managing the Council as well as carrying out the functions of the Registrar, as set out in the Veterinarians Act 2005. 

The New Zealand Veterinary Council is NZ vet sector’s governing body.  It’s responsible for the governance of the organisation and, ultimately, for making sure functions per the Veterinarians Act are carried out and adhered to.
 
 The Council has a team of eight staff and seven council members.

The eight staff are led by Iain as CEO and Registrar.   He’s supported by Veterinarian Dr Seton Butler – the Council’s professional adviser.

Iain and his team report to the Council’s seven Council members.  

Three of the Council members are elected by veterinarians, two are lay people appointed by the Minister of A

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


8 questions vet clinics need to ask (with answers) before working with a recruitment agency - ep 08331 May 202200:26:23

Send us a text

Part 2 of the "Qs to A recruitment agencies before working with them" series.


This episode specifically for the vet clinic - the HR manager, the Practice Manager, Lead Veterinarian or Veterinary Nurse who's charged with "recruitment" inside a vet clinic.

In this episode Julie South of VetStaff details the questions you need to ask and the answers you need to listen out for.

The questions are:

1.       Is the agency a specialist or generalist? Check out their website

2.       What exactly do you get for the fee they charge?   

3.       Does the agency get the job seeker’s permission to send YOU THEIR CV?

4.       Referees – who does them?

5.       Contract negotiation

6.       After the new employee starts

7.       Professional coaching for the first three months after the new employee starts

8.       Protect your clinic’s brand by hiring the right recruitment partner

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Privacy, Fairness, and References in New Zealand: What Every Veterinary Professional Needs to Know13 Aug 202400:24:17

Send us a text

How familiar are you with the "protective" laws involved in reference checking?

Julie South from VetStaff explores the complexities of reference checks in New Zealand's veterinary profession. Prompted by an unusual request, she examines the legal risks of mishandling references, stressing adherence to the Privacy Act and Fair Trading Act.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Legal Boundaries: Julie emphasises the importance of understanding the legal framework of reference checks, highlighting the consequences of Privacy Act breaches and the need for explicit consent.
  2. Reference Checking: Learn how to verify reference authenticity and "triangulate" sources for reliable information, with practical tips for lawful checks.
  3. Exit Agreements: Explore how exit agreements and non-disparagement clauses can lead to misleading references and how to uncover the truth.
  4. Workforce Assurance Standards: Julie discusses standards by the NZ Public Service Commission to improve reference quality and prevent unchecked employee movement, advocating for similar standards in the veterinary sector.
  5. Advice for Employers: The episode provides ten essential questions for reference checks and guidance on documenting feedback to avoid disputes.

Why Listen?

This episode is essential for veterinary professionals in hiring or job-seeking. 

Julie offers insights into the legal and ethical aspects of reference checks, helping listeners navigate recruitment confidently. Whether refining your hiring process or understanding your rights, this episode provides practical advice and discussions to enhance your understanding of New Zealand's veterinary recruitment landscape. 

Listen today to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of reference checks in New Zealand, protecting your professional journey and building a fair recruitment environment.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


9 questions vet med professionals should ask a recruitment agency before working with them23 May 202200:24:16

Send us a text

Not all recruitment agencies are created equal.   Some recruitment agencies use the "spray and pray" method.   They'll get a job-seeker's CV, then spray it all over town (to their database) and leave it to the employer - the vet clinic - to do contact the CV owner, set up the interview, interview, and negotiate direct.

Recruitment agencies that do this could be breaching the NZ Privacy Act, which states that a recruitment agency needs to seek permission to share info from the job seeker before releasing it.    I'm not sure a "global disclaimer" is quite what the Privacy Commissioner has in mind with "get permission to share info".

Sending your CV all over town is nothing you can't do yourself.   But if you want more support, coaching, negotiating input and then onboarding support at your new job, you need to find a recruitment agency that does this as standard.   

VetStaff is a full-service recruitment agency - it means we do all of this and more.

Here are 9 questions job seekers should ask a recruitment agency before working with them:

  1. Is the agency a specialist or generalist?
  2. Interview process by them
  3. What is their process for applying for jobs on your behalf? – NZ Privacy Act
  4. Do they provide Interview Coaching?
  5. Will they give you Interview Feedback?
  6. How do they approach your referees – what permission do they seek?
  7. Will they negotiate your contract for you?
  8. What steps do they take to help with onboarding at your new job?
  9. Do they provide professional coaching after you start at your new job as a way of supporting you and your career?


Next week we'll look at questions vet clinics should ask a recruitment agency before they start working with them.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Ashley O'Driscoll - pt2 of 2 - Large Animal Veterinarian + Emergency Veterinarian + Paw Print Home Euthanasia Service17 May 202200:36:49

Send us a text

This is part 2 of a 2 part series with Dr Ashley O'Driscoll, DVM, BSc.

Dr O’Driscoll has worked in several New Zealand veterinary clinics – on both Islands - as a pet and farm animal veterinarian since moving here in 2010. 

As you’ll pick up, Dr O’Driscoll has a strong interest in animal welfare – she started the Waikato’s first home euthanasia referral service for dogs in the Waikato – as well as working for MPI and the SPCA in animal welfare. 

As well as being a large animal vet (she loooooves cows!), she’s also a Certified Body Condition Score Assessor.   The Body Score Assessor Certification Programme was designed to help rural professionals help standardise condition scoring across New Zealand.  It was developed  as part of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain Primary Growth Partnership programme, led by commercial partners, including DairyNZ and Fonterra, and partnered by MPI. 

In addition, Dr O’Driscoll also picks up a couple of shifts a week at the Animal Emergency Centre, where she’s worked in the ER for the last ten years or so.    Anyone who’s worked in an ER hospital will tell you it’s a high-stress work environment that has strict expectations around patient care and client communication.   But, they’ll also tell you that every day (or night) that you go to work you absolutely know you’ve made a difference.   

In her spare time and as a way to decompress, Dr O’Driscoll enjoys being a mum to her toddler daughter, her farm and her retired Heading dog, Nell.

Dr O’Driscoll first came to my attention through a Hamilton suburban FB group we’re both members of where she mentioned her Paw Print referral service which currently provides home euthanasia for pets in the Northern Waikato and Hamilton regions.   

As a referral service, Dr O’Driscoll works closely with a pet’s regular veterinarian to ensure the ever-important bond between the client, pet, and veterinarian is maintained.

 As you’ll pick up from listening to what Dr O’Driscoll says, she’s very staunch on dignity and respect… and it’s a dignified farewell for faithful companions she offers.  

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Ashley O'Driscoll - Large Animal Veterinarian + Emergency Veterinarian + Paw Print Home Euthanasia Service10 May 202200:25:44

Send us a text

Dr O’Driscoll has worked in several New Zealand veterinary clinics – on both Islands - as a pet and farm animal veterinarian since moving here in 2010. 

As you’ll pick up, Dr O’Driscoll has a strong interest in animal welfare – she started the Waikato’s first home euthanasia referral service for dogs in the Waikato – as well as working for MPI and the SPCA in animal welfare. 

As well as being a large animal vet (she loooooves cows!), she’s also a Certified Body Condition Score Assessor.   The Body Score Assessor Certification Programme was designed to help rural professionals help standardise condition scoring across New Zealand.  It was developed  as part of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain Primary Growth Partnership programme, led by commercial partners, including DairyNZ and Fonterra, and partnered by MPI. 

In addition, Dr O’Driscoll also picks up a couple of shifts a week at the Animal Emergency Centre, where she’s worked in the ER for the last ten years or so.    Anyone who’s worked in an ER hospital will tell you it’s a high-stress work environment that has strict expectations around patient care and client communication.   But, they’ll also tell you that every day (or night) that you go to work you absolutely know you’ve made a difference.   

In her spare time and as a way to decompress, Dr O’Driscoll enjoys being a mum to her toddler daughter, her farm and her retired Heading dog, Nell.

Dr O’Driscoll first came to my attention through a Hamilton suburban FB group we’re both members of where she mentioned her Paw Print referral service which currently provides home euthanasia for pets in the Northern Waikato and Hamilton regions.   

As a referral service, Dr O’Driscoll works closely with a pet’s regular veterinarian to ensure the ever-important bond between the client, pet, and veterinarian is maintained.

 As you’ll pick up from listening to what Dr O’Driscoll says, she’s very staunch on dignity and respect… and it’s a dignified farewell for faithful companions she offers.  

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


VetStaff Vet Sector State of the Nation Survey 2022 - findings overview03 May 202200:18:53

Send us a text

This VetStaff survey was run over four weeks - promoted via FB, Insta, LI and this podcast.

Respondents were guaranteed anonymity.   However, if they wanted their clinic to go in the draw to win lunch they needed to complete contact info so we could organise the delivery if their name was pulled out of the hat.

Fifteen respondents chose to remain totally anonymous.  

Random lucky dip draw from all respondents.  

Vet Farm Pet Clinic - Warkworth
Animal Referral Centre – Snapper Rock, Auckland
Carevets Beach Rd – Pahurehure, Papakura
The Strand Veterinarian - Parnell
First Vets – Whanganui

There were 124 respondents.:
43% veterinarians
43% veterinary nurses
6% veterinary technicians
6% non-clinical support staff
4% Practice Managers

by clinic type:
49%  GP Companion Animal clinics
32%  Mixed Animal clinics
5%  Equine only
5% Dairy only
balance  exotics, referral and after hours emergency clinics.

Qualifications:
85% NZ tertiary qualification
15% overseas tertiary qualification

Financial / Remuneration
Equal 33% split of:
not earning enough to live on - no contribution to rainy-day savings
earning just enough but not enough to contribute to rainy-day savings
earning enough and contributing to rainy-day savings
 
Some solutions to current veterinary shortage include:

·       To extra time to be allocated for admin and case notes – so vets don’t have to take this paperwork home with them or stay late, because not enough time has been scheduled in-clinic for this to happen.   This was offered up a few times so perhaps if you’re listening now and you have input into schedules, you could look at making this happen at your clinic.   If you’ve no idea how you’re going to do it – either you’ve got HO breathing down your neck or screaming down the phone – then brainstorm among your team – there’ll be great answers already on your team if you just ask the right questions.

·       For vets to utlise their nurses’ skills more.   This one came through loud and clear from most – maybe all the nurses – I need to dive a bit deeper with the data.   However, there were enough comments for me to think that in many – obviously not all – clinics, that vets in some cases, are adding to their own stress by not giving credit and responsibility where it’s due to the nurses.   So maybe have a team meeting and see what you can do to appreciate the training, skills and education that nurses have at your clinic.   Doing this means the vets will have more time to do what only vets can do.    Some nurses replied that they feel like they’re glorified cleaners.   

·       Hire dedicated receptionists so nurses can be nurses – another comment that came through loud and clear – and it ties in with vets utilising nurses as nurses – is for management to recognise nurses are nurses and not receptionist.   If clinics hired dedicated non-nursing staff – but trained in elementary triage – it would free up nurses to be nurses – and to then also be charged-out and generate income for the clinic.

I’ve inv

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


4 case studies of successful pay raises for vets and vet nurses26 Apr 202200:32:22

Send us a text

VetStaff does more than flick job seekers' CV onto vet clinics like their competitors - who then leave the job seeker to negotiate everything for themselves.
 
VetStaff helps clinics with reputation misinformation - for example the false rumour of CCTVs in restrooms!

Case Study #1

  • 6-month new grad looking for her second job
  • VetStaff were given five days to organise a job interview
    • in four days they had three interviews 
    • job offer was signed within a week
    • $21kpa increase on what she was earning
    • Clinic didn't realise job offers could be made up the way this one was

Case Study #2

  • Locum vet who wanted a permanent position
  • Was being pressured to sign an offer the vet had arranged themselves
  • VetStaff organised two job offers over a long weekend - both at $30kpa more than the original offer

Case Study #3

  • Vet wanted to negotiate a pay increase at her annual review
    • didn't know what she was worth or where to start
    • Julie sent her away with 'homework' which she did
    • role played through different negotiation scenarios
    • Vet walked out with $20kpa increase

Case Study #4

  • Vet Nurse wanted to negotiate pay increase at her annual review
    • didn't know what she was worth or where to start
    • Julie sent her away with 'homework' - which she did
    • role played through different negotiation scenarios
    • VN walked out with a $5ph pay increase.

In this episode Julie talks about:

  • information you need to know to successfully negotiate a pay increase
  • why you need to start planning months in advance
  • why it's important you know your 'numbers' before you start negotiating
VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Krispin Kannan - Large Animal Veterinarian - ep 07719 Apr 202200:27:35

Send us a text

If you’re a recent or new vet science graduate of Massey University then regardless of where you’re working in New Zealand, you’ve probably heard of, or met, Krispin as he’s been quite involved with Massey’s MMI for vet students over the years.  

MMI is part of the Massey BVSc pre-selection programme – they’re the 8 Multi Mini Interviews potential vet science students go through.   

Krispin’s been on the panel where students get to go a round of 8 short, structured interviews lasting 8 minutes each.

Krispin started working for the Veterinary Enterprises Group Limited – VetEnt – straight out of Massey in December 2010 in Te Awamutu as a Large Animal Veterinarian.  

In February 2019 he was appointed the Production Animal Business Manager – a position he held until mid-2021.

Krispin took some time out by doing a bit of locum work until March 2022 before returning to VetEnt to be part of its Integrated Solutions Business Development team.   

Krispin says Integrated Business Solutions is a fancy name for a focussed role dedicated to understand and utilise technology solutions within veterinary practice that enhance the performance & wellbeing of their client businesses and animals. 

He’s excited to begin this journey with a focus on cow wearables – which are collars and tags, the data they produce and how VetEnt’s veterinary teams can integrate and deliver value to their customers using this information.

Today, Krispin and I talk about his MBA – which he studied for at The University of Waikato between 2017 and 2019, locuming on his OE, how he ended up as a large animal vet when he was also considering small animal surgery and life in general.

Krispin’s one of New Zealand’s Instagram influencers.   vet.krispy – is his Instagram handle so go check him out and follow him there.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Dr Karli Houston - Marathon Running Fundraising Small Animal Veterinarian12 Apr 202200:41:48

Send us a text

Dr Karli Houston is a marathon running, fundraising, companion animal veterinarian.  

Karli was born in the US to two kiwi parents. 

Karli has a raft of qualifications behind her … she studied biology and theatre arts at the Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, then Human Nutrition at the University of Maryland before moving to Palmerston North and to complete her Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey. 

Since graduating from Massey in 2012, Karli’s worked at Franklin Vets in Auckland, New Zealand.  Her favourite areas of practice are rehabilitation and working dogs. 

Karli has since gone on to complete her CCRP certification - (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner) through the University of Tennessee. 

Karli Houston is a vet, a mum of two, a wife, a daughter and a marathon runner.

Today, Karli shares what she loves and doesn’t love so much, about being a small animal veterinarian.

Why she chose the Queenstown Marathon.

What made her realise why she’s a far better vet than a race director.

Why she chose Not One More Vet?

And how she got through what felt like Groundhog Day of Lockdown in Auckland last year.

At about the 35-minute mark the topic of suicide is discussed for a few minutes, so if you think you might be triggered, please fast forward at that point through to about the 38 minute mark.    

If that could be you, I’ve tagged the point with a few seconds of the Paws Claws Wet Noses theme music – so listen out for that … that’s your cue to fast forward to about the 38 minute mark.

If you have colleagues who’ve done something inspirational like Karli has, I’d loooove to chat with them on Paws Claws Wet Noses so that others can be inspired just like you.   

Come back next week because I’m chatting with another inspirational vet – Dr Krispin Kannan – a large animal vet who’s also a husband, dad and all-out really neat guy.

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


11 veterinary grad first job interview questions new grads should ask at job interviews05 Apr 202200:21:03

Send us a text

Being interviewed for your first job straight out of vet school and university isn’t the same as being interviewed for your second or third job.   

Here’re 11 questions for new grads to ask at your first job interview and for clinics to think about when they’re interviewing new grads.   These 11 questions apply pretty equally to vets, nurses and techs.

Get yourself an agent to represent you

Someone who knows:

  • employment law
  • the veterinary sector in your area
  • the good and not-so-good vet clinics
  • how to negotiate
  • about clinic culture
  • salary expectations for new grads

If a clinic pushes back and tells you they'd rather invest a recruitment agency's fee into your career ask them what that would look like.   I (Julie South) haven't ever seen a new grad earning a salary that's reflective of a recruiter's fee being added to it!

  1.  support - what does this look like and mean?
  2. reasonable time - what's their definition of this?
  3. sole charge - when?  what does that look like?
  4. roster
  5. surgery and surgical experience / support
  6. other employees' opinions
  7. why the vacancy?
  8. new grad goals?
  9. performance evaluations?
  10. clinic growth plans?
  11. team diversification?

Enter our two surveys and go in the draw to win great prizes:

For New Zealand veterinary sector professionals - Veterinary Sector State of the Nation 2022 Survey

For overseas veterinary professionals looking to work in New Zealand - Vets on Vacation or Relocation to New Zealand Survey

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


15 Job Interview Questions Job Seekers Can Ask Vet Clinic Interviewers29 Mar 202200:13:24

Send us a text

At job interviewers, hiring managers / interviewers usually ask "do you have any questions you'd like to ask?".

Many people mumble something like "you've answered all my questions" [which may be true] or "no - no questions".

Here are 15 questions across three top level subjects to help job-seekers level out the balance of interviewing "power" that can be assumed at a job interview.

The main question topics relate to the:

  • vet clinic role
  • vet clinic's vision; and
  • vet clinic culture

It’s important to remember that attending a job interview is a two way exchange of information.   It’s easy to think the employer has all the power.   However, in today’s market that’s questionable.  

I (Julie South) believe both parties have equal power when everything is balanced out.


VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


How to use the STAR framework to answer behaviour-based job interview questions22 Mar 202200:26:12

Send us a text

When someone asks you to “tell me about a time when …..” this is where the STAR methodology kicks in.   

Situation
Task
Action
Result

Everyone dreads the "tell me about a time when you................." type interview questions because they usually don't know how to answer and/or aren't sure what the interviewer is looking for.

This episode answers both of those questions and includes relevant examples taken from vet clinics.

Other episodes referred to in this episode:

Episode 39 - Emotional Intelligence – why it’s critical to professional and personal success
Episode 40 - six ways emotionally intelligent people lead

Words to listen out for:

  • and
  • um
  • like
  • er
  • absolutely
  • so
  • well


VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Exploring the Pros and Cons of Locum Vet Work in New Zealand: Insights and Connections with the Veterinary Community06 Aug 202400:14:40

Send us a text

Ever wondered if a career as a locum vet or vet nurse in New Zealand could be your next big move...?

This week VetStaff's Julie South explores the (sometimes) thrilling possibilities and (dreaded) daunting challenges of locuming in New Zealand's veterinary clinics.

From the (apparent) attractive perks of higher hourly rates and (perceived) flexible schedules to the potential pitfalls like financial instability and fleeting workplace relationships, she lays it all out. 

Discover how locuming can offer personal growth, the chance to test out different clinics, and the opportunity to work in varied settings. However, Julie also highlights the less glamorous side of the equation, such as unpredictability and the administrative burdens that come with the territory. 

Whether you're seeking adventure or need stability, Julie's analysis gives you the insights you need to make an informed decision.

Building meaningful connections within the veterinary community is essential, and in this episode, Julie invites you to connect with fellow veterinary professionals like your hosts, Julie South and her colleague, Tania Bruce. 

Share your location, leave reviews, and connect through VetStaff's website start building your supportive and connected workplace.  

Discover how to be the best version of yourself in your veterinary career while making impactful connections along the way. Your involvement not only helps us grow but also supports our mission of enhancing vet clinics' online presence. Tune in to discover how you can contribute to and benefit from this vibrant community.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


9 behaviour based job interview questions for veterinary professionals15 Mar 202200:13:02

Send us a text

9 behaviour focussed job interview questions that job seekers roll their eyes at, and interviewers feel they must ask.  

One vet told me a couple of years’ back that she declined a job because she didn’t like the soft and fluffy questions “someone from HR” asked her. 

In the vet’s opinion the questions she was asked did nothing to prove or disprove she was a good vet.  Which is a fair comment.

However, what behaviour focussed job interview questions help uncover or determine is fit – will the fit between the job applicant and the hiring clinic be a match made in heaven or an absolute disaster.

Questions for the vet clinic to ask the vet med professional

These 9 behaviour based questions are for the clinic to ask the job applicant.  

If you’re an HR or Practice Manager, here are nine main questions + follow-up questions you can ask interviewees.  

If you’re a vet or nurse considering your next move, and you’ve got an interview or two coming up, then this is for you too because they give you an idea of the type of questions you might be asked and how you might answer them. 

Listen to the podcast to hear what the follow up questions are under these top level behaviours.

#1 - Problem solving skills interview questions

Tell me about a time when you had to come up with a new way of doing something during lockdown...


#2 - Personal Responsibility interview questions

Tell me about a time when you made the wrong call and something didn’t turn out quite as you’d planned…


#3 - Adaptability skills interview questions

Tell me about an unexpected challenge you were faced with during lockdown…


#4 - Confrontation skills interview questions

Tell me about how you’d tell someone on your team what they’re doing isn’t working. What do you do when you need to give constructive feedback?


#5 - Compatibility skills interview questions

Tell me about a time during lockdown when you and someone else needed to solve a problem but you were both coming from different sides of the position. How did you work through that?


#6 - Attention to Detail skills job interview questions

Tell me about a situation when you were required to display a higher level of attention to detail than usual. What was that like?


#7 - Leadership skills job interview questions

Tell me about a time during lockdown when you had to take the lead on a project or lead a team. Were you asked or did you step up?


#8 - Delegation skills job interview questionsQuestion 1 of 4 delegation skills questions

Tell me about a time during lockdown when you had to delegate task(s). When did you realiseVetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie - Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa - life after the NZ Veterinary Association - part 3 of 308 Mar 202200:42:47

Send us a text

Veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie on:

  • life after Chief Veterinary Officer at the New Zealand Veterinary Association  
  • Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa - VAWA
  • some of the amazing opportunities Helen experienced as CVO NZVA
  • some more of the amazing people Helen worked with as CVO NZVA
  • what's next and where to from here

Part 3 of the three part series getting to know Dr Helen Beattie now that she's no longer the Chief Veterinary Officer at the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

Part 1 - episode 069 - some career highs and lows

Part 2 - episode 070 - some conflict, tension and moral distress

Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa 

Helen being interviewed on "Lately"

Helen being interviewed on the Rural Roundup podcast

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie - Conflict, Tension and Veterinary Moral Distress - part 2 of 301 Mar 202200:31:44

Send us a text

Veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie on:

  • Conflict, Tension & Moral Distress
  • Books Helen's reading and recommends
  • Inspiration & aspirational parenting
  • + a bit of philosophical discussion

Part 2 of a multi-part series getting to know Dr Helen Beattie before she became known to New Zealand's veterinarians in her role as Chief Veterinary Officer at the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

Part 1 - episode 069 - some career highs and lows

Books Dr Helen Beattie is reading or has just finished reading:

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52741293-shuggie-bain

Roar - How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life by Dr Stacy Sims 

https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/roar-9781623366865

Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given:  https://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/product/women-dont-owe-you-pretty-6548712


Top level topics Helen talks about:

  • Some of  “team” & “people” highlights vs things she’s achieved.
  • The privilege of having “thinking time” that you don’t get in clinical practice.
  • The opportunity to be exposed to amazing minds and people that vets in clinic don’t get.
  • What would “Old Helen” say to “Young Helen” – I asked Helen what tips she’d give to herself today as a freshly graduated vet.
  • Her personal principles 
  • Tension and conflict
  • Communication
  • Human behaviour change
  • Bipolar language
  • The power of language 
  • Helen talks about how cycling gives her thinking space and time:  her clearinghouse
  • Working as a locum in the UK
  • The prevalence of specialists just around the corner.
  • Her desire for kiwi fur baby parents to invest in pet insurance for comfort and security.
  • Moral distress – a lowlight for most vets in their veterinary career.

Julie and Dr Beattie skirt on the fringes around the topic of rape.   If you are sensitive to this you might find this episode a bit sensitive.

Although the topic isn't discussed in any detail whatsoever please be aware the word is raised!

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


© My Podcast Data