Urgent Care and ECC Veterinarian

Company Overview

Takurua Vets is a privately owned companion-animal clinic based in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. The practice focuses on sensible, compassionate care for dogs and cats, covering everyday health needs as well as urgent and after-hours treatment. Services include dentistry, diagnostics, imaging, surgery, and inpatient care.

Starting 3 August 2026, the clinic will begin closing at 10pm while it develops the next phase of its twilight urgent care and after-hours offering. Over time, this service is intended to expand into more extensive overnight coverage and, ultimately, 24-hour veterinary care.

The clinic’s style is calm, thoughtful, and centred on the patient. The team is increasingly committed to fear-free handling, pain-aware care, clear client communication, and sound clinical decision-making.

Role Summary

Takurua Vets is seeking an Urgent Care and ECC Veterinarian to help grow the next stage of its urgent care and after-hours service. The position can be shaped as full-time, part-time, twilight, overnight, on-call, or a flexible mix, depending on experience, availability, and clinic requirements.

This opportunity may suit an experienced general-practice veterinarian, someone with ECC exposure, or a veterinarian looking to contribute to urgent care alongside study, family, or another role.

The work may involve urgent consultations, triage, diagnostic work-ups, medical management, inpatient review, stabilisation, emergency procedures, emergency surgery, client discussions, and after-hours support. In the initial phase, the role is expected to focus more on twilight shifts and on-call support than on a fixed overnight roster, with the scope evolving as the service grows.

Position Details

• Flexible full-time or part-time arrangements can be discussed
• Twilight, overnight, or on-call veterinary shifts
• Pay range of $60 to $90 per hour, based on experience and the hours worked
• Clinic location: Upper Riccarton, Christchurch
• Focus on companion-animal urgent care and ECC
• Service is being developed toward fuller overnight coverage and eventual 24-hour care
• Immigration New Zealand accredited employer

Eligibility

Applications from overseas veterinarians may be considered where the arrangement aligns with visa conditions, Veterinary Council of New Zealand registration requirements, and the needs of the role.

Responsibilities

• Assess and sort urgent and emergency cases according to priority
• Handle urgent consultations and after-hours presentations
• Stabilise sick or injured companion-animal patients
• Plan diagnostics and interpret results, including laboratory testing and imaging
• Manage medical cases and reassess inpatients as needed
• Carry out emergency procedures and surgery where experience allows
• Deliver care with a strong focus on pain control and patient comfort
• Communicate clearly with clients during stressful or time-sensitive situations
• Work closely with veterinary nurses and the wider clinical team
• Maintain accurate clinical notes and help refine workflows and protocols
• Take part in twilight, overnight, or on-call support according to the agreed roster structure

Qualifications and Experience

• A veterinary degree recognised in New Zealand
• Eligibility for Veterinary Council of New Zealand registration, or the ability to obtain it
• Experience working in small-animal clinical practice
• Genuine interest in emergency, urgent care, or ECC work
• Ability to triage, prioritise, and make sound decisions under pressure
• Strong communication and people skills for client interactions
• Commitment to animal welfare, pain management, and practical evidence-based care
• Ability to collaborate effectively with nurses and other veterinarians
• Experience in urgent care, emergency, critical care, surgery, or after-hours work is strongly appreciated, though the role can be tailored to the right candidate

Work Structure

This position may be adapted to suit the right candidate and could be built around another job, family responsibilities, study, or other commitments. The final shape of the roster may change as the clinic’s urgent care service continues to develop.