Specialty Intern | Small Animal Surgery

at  Massey University

Job Description: Specialty Intern (Surgery)
Position Purpose: The appointee will be directly involved with the provision of high-quality
veterinary services to companion animal patients seen in the CAH with a
particular focus on Surgery.
Department: Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Science
Location: Palmerston North
Reports to: Veterinary Teaching Hospital Director through the Companion Animal
Hospital Practice Manager
Responsible for: Nil
Delegations: Nil
Job Title: Specialty Intern (Surgery)
Key relationships: Internal External
Practice Manager Clients
SoVS Executive Referring veterinarians
Head of School Professional bodies
School staff
Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields
of research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to
community and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and
skills to advance human knowledge and understanding. Working together
across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems
through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while
culturally and artistically enriching our world.
We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating
authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles
through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a
real opportunity for the nation and its people.
Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our
students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to
achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They
experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and
cultural strengths, expands their horizons and prepares them to contribute
to a rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative thinking and
leadership.
We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey
campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart
enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on
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respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we
do, but by how we do it.
About this area The School of Veterinary Science advances knowledge in animal and
human wellbeing, and environmental sustainability, through veterinary
education and research for Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. We are
a world-leader in our field, working with governments, other universities,
international and national organisations and companies to improve animal
health and production, and human health. We have over 1000 students,
250 staff and 170 research programmes.
Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand

society.

• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and

the people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement

with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that
demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University’s health, safety

and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively
supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety
improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our

students/ stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and

commit to ongoing personal and professional development.

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are

reinforced.

• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University

and the communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.

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• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we

serve.

• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

Accountabilities
Clinical services • Participate in the provision of Veterinary services within the Referral

Surgery Service of the CAH.

• Participate in the on-call roster.
• Conduct consultations with owners of companion animals with

primary case care responsibility for first opinion and
emergency/critical care cases. Conduct consultations with both
primary case care and support responsibilities for complex cases

with supervision by a boarded specialist or faculty clinician.

• Except in urgent emergencies, provide accurate estimates of costs

to VTH clients and obtain written, informed consent for all planned

diagnostic and therapeutic work prior to admission to the hospital.

• Carry out all necessary clinical activities related to diagnosis and

treatment of each case that you admit or to which are assigned (e.g.
interpretation of laboratory test results and radiographs;
administration of anaesthesia; minor surgeries and other
interventions; detailed, effective client communication; etc). The
intern is expected to consistently seek assistance from senior staff
members in order to provide optimum care. On referred cases, the
intern is required to have the diagnostic and therapeutic plan as well
as the estimate of fees reviewed by a resident or senior staff

member prior to admitting a pet to the hospital.

• Ensure that thorough medical records are completed for all patients

to whom you are assigned or managing. Write up suitably detailed
discharge instructions and referral communication for every

hospitalised patient under your care.

• Discuss the progress of cases with a senior clinician at the start and

finish of every shift.
Teaching • Ensure that where possible, veterinary students accompany you and

learn by instruction.

• Involvement and participation in daily cases rounds and weekly to

biweekly detailed case round presentations with residents and

senior clinicians.

• Attend and contribute on a weekly basis to Small Animal Medicine

and Surgery rounds, CAH presentations, seminars and Journal Clubs

as appropriate to the service roster.

• Participate in and deliver professional presentation(s) or seminar(s)

to senior clinicians and peers.

• Provide assistance for undergraduate small animal teaching

laboratories as applicable to each service roster along with final year
veterinary student clinical education.
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Research • Actively contribute to and participate in clinical research under the
guidance and leadership of a Massey University Faculty Veterinarian
and work towards a minimum of one publication from this research

upon completion of the internship.

• Ensure that all teaching, research and other activities that involve

the use of animals or their tissues are conducted according to the
laws of 4 New Zealand and conform to the requirements of the
Massey University Code of Ethical Conduct for the use of Live
Animals for Teaching and Research.
Other • Carry out other relevant duties as reasonably specified by the Veterinary
Teaching Hospital Director or Head of School.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: Veterinary professional degree, e.g., BVSc, DVM, VMD etc. from an AVMA-
accredited school or one recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary
Council to enable full registration in New Zealand as a veterinarian. See the
NZVC website for clarification.
Ability to obtain a work visa to work in New Zealand if not a New
Zealand/Australian citizen or resident
Unrestricted driver’s licence
Clinical experience is expected, further study in veterinary surgery would
Experience:
be desirable.
Capabilities

General • The candidate must be passionate about clinical service and teaching.

• The candidate must possess excellent communication skills and be Essential

willing and able to foster high class working relationships with our

students, residents, rotating interns, staff and clients.

• The usual hours of the Hospital are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. While on

clinical rotations, the candidate must be available during this time and

be flexible outside these hours, depending on workload.

• An ability to work in teams and independently, quickly, and efficiently

on assigned tasks.
Personal • Conducts discussions in a respectful manner, that are sincere and fully
Attributes and expressed.
Behaviours • Develops a clear, complete understanding of needs and problems

Essential through careful listening, probing, reflecting, and summarising.

• The ability to relate well to people from a diverse range of cultural

backgrounds.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with sensitive

situations.

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• Well-developed organisational skills including the ability to co-ordinate

workflows, determine priorities and meet deadlines in a professional

manner within a busy environment.

• Excellent relationships skills.
• Proactive and highly organised.

Pre-employment checks

Essential • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.

• Proof of attainment of veterinary qualification.

Please refer the Job description for details