Animal Emergency Australia (AEA) is seeking an experienced and passionate Veterinary Criticalist to join our Emergency and Critical Care team at Pet ICU.

This role provides the chance to deliver advanced Emergency and Critical Care medicine while helping to develop and mentor our emergency and critical care teams. Depending on experience and interest, the position may also include involvement in clinical leadership initiatives, residency training, and the strategic development of our ICU service.

We are seeking a part-time Criticalist – up to 32 hours /week.

About the Hospital
Pet ICU and Animal Emergency Service provide advanced emergency and critical care services within the Underwood Referral Hospital, supporting a diverse and complex caseload that includes:

- Advanced intensive care and monitoring
- Mechanical ventilation and high flow oxygen therapy
- Transfusion medicine
- Complex medical cases
- Polytrauma and surgical critical care
- Septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction
- Cardiac patients, including post operative care of patients undergoing interventional procedures
- Opportunity to develop an extracorporeal therapies service

You will join an experienced Emergency and Critical Care team comprising emergency veterinarians, ECC residents and highly skilled nurses who are committed to delivering exceptional patient care through open communication, shared problem-solving and continuous learning.

About the Role
As a Criticalist, you will provide specialist expertise in the management of critically ill patients while supporting the development of clinicians, residents and the ICU service.
Key responsibilities include:

- Leading the management of complex ICU and emergency patients




- Providing specialist expertise in advanced diagnostics, transfusion medicine, intensive monitoring and mechanical ventilation
- Supporting and mentoring emergency and critical care teams with complex decision-making and high-acuity case management
- Providing specialist consultation to referring veterinarians
- Contributing to residency training, journal clubs, morbidity and mortality rounds and continuing education
- Supporting clinical governance, protocol development and evidence-based practice with the ICU
- Contributing to the ongoing growth and direction of the ICU service

Our Culture
At Pet ICU and AES, we have built a culture that values patient advocacy, open communication and continuous learning.
Our emergency clinicians and nursing team contribute actively to patient care discussions, and we encourage thoughtful questioning, respectful challenges and shared problem-solving. We are seeking a Criticalist who will help foster this culture through kindness, professionalism and clear communication, while supporting colleagues to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients and their families.

About You
You will have:

- Diplomate status (ACVECC, ECVECC, FANZCVS ECC or equivalent), or board eligibility following completion of an approved residency in emergency and critical care.
- Eligibility for veterinary registration in Australia




- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- A commitment to evidence-based medicine and continuous learning
- An ability to build productive working relationships with a diverse range of clinicians and healthcare teams

We are looking for a specialist who can advocate strongly for their patients while maintaining professionalism, respect and constructive dialogue across a complex clinical environment.
You will thrive in this role if you:

- Communicate with clarity, confidence and emotional intelligence
- Advocate strongly for your patients while remaining approachable and collaborative
- Value feedback and are comfortable both giving and receiving constructive challenge
- Enjoy mentoring clinicians and supporting professional growth
- Appreciate the important contributions of nurses, emergency veterinarians and specialists to patient care
- Remain calm and professional during complex clinical discussions

Experience in leadership, residency supervision, teaching or protocol development would be highly regarded.

Why Join Animal Emergency Australia?

- Competitive salary starting at $200,000 FTE
- 8-10 hour shifts
- Four weeks annual leave
- One week professional development leave
- Additional CPD allowance
- Staff pet discounts
- Opportunities to contribute to resident training, clinical governance and service development

Join Us
This opportunity is ideal for a Criticalist who is passionate about exceptional patient care, developing clinicians and helping shape the future of Emergency and Critical Care services.
If you are seeking a role where your clinical expertise, leadership and communication skills can make a genuine impact, we would love to hear from you.

📌 Emergency and Critical Care Specialist Pet ICU (Underwood)
🏢 Animal Emergency Australia
📍 Underwood