Surgical Vet Nurse

Hands-on surgical nursing in a state of the art, purpose-built hospital

Are you a qualified vet nurse with a passion for surgical nursing and patient care? If you’re looking for a hands-on role in a purpose-built hospital, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

A well-equipped veterinary hospital in Melbourne is seeking a surgical vet nurse to join its supportive and experienced team. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working in theatre and wants to build on their clinical skills in a facility designed to optimise animal health and wellbeing.

This position involves a range of day shifts, with occasional evening shifts (finishing around 8 to 8.30 pm) and some weekend work (with attractive penalty rates). The hospital team is dedicated to providing high-quality care that is accessible to all members of the community and offers a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

The practice is looking for a veterinary nurse who brings confidence in their clinical skills and enjoys working in a collaborative, supportive environment. You’ll be motivated by a commitment to excellence in veterinary nursing and driven to make a real difference to the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need a recognised qualification in veterinary nursing, such as a Certificate IV or Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing, along with at least four years of experience in a veterinary practice, hospital or animal shelter environment. You’ll have the ability to triage patients independently, manage multiple cases at once and escalate concerns when necessary. Strong teamwork skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

You should have a solid understanding of infectious disease principles and be confident in applying appropriate cleaning and disinfecting protocols. Hands-on experience monitoring patients under anaesthetic for both standard and emergency procedures is important, as is the ability to perform CPR according to RECOVER guidelines. Competence in blood sampling, IV catheter placement, clinical pathology and accurate nursing documentation is also required. Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are key to thriving in this fast-paced and emotionally challenging environment, alongside strong communication skills.

Additional training or experience in specialised areas will be highly regarded. This may include anaesthesia for critical patients such as FLUTD cats and those requiring enterectomy or enterotomy procedures. Knowledge of capnography, doppler and oscillometric blood pressure monitoring, as well as experience in monitoring anaesthetics for general and orthopaedic procedures, will be an advantage. Capability in caring for exotic species and wildlife is also desirable, along with familiarity with using EzyVet and SmartFlow software systems.

On offer for the successful candidate:

- Wide variety of opportunities across departments, including complex theatre, A&E and ICU.
- Flexibility across a wide range of shift options, including late shifts, overnight and weekends
- Training and upskilling opportunities for development into areas including senior nursing and management.
- Training delivered by industry leaders on the floor and in fit for purpose workshops.
- Ability to collaborate on innovative projects.
- Access to our own high-quality equipment, including CT and fluoroscopy.
- Exposure to a wide range of acuity and diverse cases.
- Outstanding support from a highly skilled team.
- A diverse team environment.
- Belief in finishing on time.
- 1 hour lunch breaks to ensure you rest and recharge.
- No on-call roster.
- Support for your mental health and wellbeing via EAP support and MHWB initiatives.
- Discounts on veterinary treatment, products and pet insurance.
- Pet-friendly policies.

The hospital is extremely well equipped, with advanced diagnostic and surgical tools including a CT scanner, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, x-ray, ECG, tonopen IOP, cryopen, doppler and multi-parameter monitoring.

With its vibrant arts scene, great food and easy access to the city, Melbourne offers an excellent lifestyle alongside rewarding veterinary work.

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