Western Suburbs Veterinary Clinic achieves Employer of Choice Accreditation

_{Image (L-R): veterinarian Heather D’Mello, veterinary nurse Ailsa Wilson, vet nurse Sarah Acornley, veterinarian and practice partner Helen Tanzer, veterinarian Tash Parker, vet nurse Lucy Appleton, vet nurse and receptionist Teegin Bull, veterinarian Jo Woodger and receptionist Sharon Bishop.}

The AVA’s Employer of Choice (EOC) Accreditation program is an intensive, rigorous auditing process that recognises employers with exceptional standards of staff recruitment, engagement and retention. In July 2022, Western Suburbs Veterinary Clinic achieved Employer of Choice Accreditation.

Located in Townsville, Queensland, Western Suburbs Veterinary Clinic (WSVC) is an 100% small animal clinic. Established 40 years ago, the two current veterinary directors have been in ownership for the past ten years. Working alongside the directors are eight full- and part-time veterinarians, two nurse managers, five nurses, four receptionists and three casual nurses/receptionists. With so many staff, WSVC aims to adapt tasks according to employees’ wishes and strengths, maintaining flexibility in the workplace as much as is feasible. Vets are well supported; newer vets have 24/7 back-up from more experienced vets, and there is no sole charge. The emphasis is on continuity of care and the ability to learn from shared experience in a supportive team environment.

The WSVC directors were motivated to pursue EOC Accreditation as a way of attracting prospective employees. “EOC accreditation [brings] formal acknowledgement that our internal HR processes meet expected ideals and [confirms] that the level of employee satisfaction is high,” says principal vet and director, Dr Alistair Graham-Evans.

The EOC program, Dr Graham-Evans says, helped to established “a better management system”, such as improved record keeping, reminders for events and a higher standard of communication with staff. Prospective employees can be assured that WSVC is “compliant in all management objectives and prioritises [the] formation of a good team.”

Following on from their EOC Accreditation achievement (and also because one of their vets passed ANZCVS Membership examinations in the same week!), WSVC are planning a dinner out to celebrate.

For veterinary clinics wishing to pursue EOC Accreditation, Dr Graham-Evans has this advice: “Be prepared for hard work as the standards are exacting, but it will improve your management skills and make it easier in the future.” Despite the effort involved, he considers EOC Accreditation as a potential pathway to improve the veterinary profession’s high attrition rate. “I am convinced that part of the reason for the terrible attrition rate is lack of support from management,” Dr Graham-Evans says. “Anything to encourage improvement is a good thing.”

For more information about pursuing EOC Accreditation, click here. 

To register for the EOC Program, click here.