Veterinary Nurse / Trainee Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Whether you're an experienced nurse looking for your next role, currently studying veterinary nursing, or looking for an opportunity to start your career in the veterinary industry, we'd love to hear from you.

For an experienced nurse, we can offer a varied, hands-on role with the opportunity to use and continue developing your nursing skills.

For the right trainee, we're happy to take you under our wing and provide practical, on-the-job training and support while you work towards your veterinary nursing qualification.

We're a locally owned, family-friendly mixed veterinary practice with a large and varied caseload. Our main Ararat clinic has recently moved into a brand-new purpose-built veterinary facility, providing a fantastic environment for our nurses, vets, patients and clients.

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What You'll Be Doing

Your day-to-day responsibilities will depend on your experience and skill level and may include:

• Providing a high standard of care to hospitalised patients
• Assisting veterinarians during consultations, procedures and treatments
• Monitoring patients before, during and after anaesthesia
• Preparing patients and the surgical theatre for procedures
• Assisting with surgery, dentistry and diagnostic procedures
• Collecting and processing pathology samples
• Performing nurse consultations and selected procedures under veterinary supervision
• Administering medications and treatments as directed by a veterinarian
• Animal handling and restraint
• Caring for, feeding, exercising and toileting hospitalised patients
• Communicating with clients and providing patient updates
• Admitting and discharging patients
• Maintaining accurate patient records
• Assisting with reception and client enquiries when required
• Maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of kennels, hospital areas, consult rooms, surgical areas and equipment
• Cleaning, sterilising and preparing instruments and equipment
• General cleaning and restocking to ensure the clinic remains clean, organised and ready for patients

Veterinary nursing is a hands-on role, and maintaining excellent clinic hygiene is an important part of providing high-quality patient care. Everyone in our team contributes to cleaning and maintaining the practice, so we're looking for someone who is happy to pitch in and isn't afraid to get their hands dirty.

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Who We're Looking For

Most importantly, we're looking for someone with the right attitude.

You will ideally be:

• Friendly, reliable and enthusiastic
• Genuinely interested in animal care and welfare
• A strong communicator who enjoys working with both animals and people
• Able to show initiative and recognise what needs to be done
• Willing to learn and take on feedback
• Adaptable and able to work in a busy environment
• Comfortable working independently while also being a strong team player
• Calm and professional when things get busy
• Comfortable handling animals of different sizes and temperaments
• Willing to contribute to cleaning and maintaining a high standard of clinic hygiene
• Interested in continuing to develop your veterinary nursing skills
• The holder of a valid driver's licence

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Experienced Nurses

If you're already an experienced veterinary nurse, we'd love someone who can bring their existing skills to the team and take an active role in patient care, anaesthesia, surgery, hospital nursing and client communication.

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or equivalent experience is highly regarded.

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Trainee Nurses

No previous veterinary nursing experience is required for the right trainee.

Previous experience working with animals, in customer service or in another veterinary environment would be an advantage, but attitude, reliability and willingness to learn are more important.

You will need to be willing to undertake the appropriate veterinary nursing qualification and actively participate in both your practical and theoretical training.

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Why Join Western Victoria Vets?

• Brand-new purpose-built veterinary clinic in Ararat
• Interesting and varied mixed-practice caseload
• Opportunity to develop strong practical nursing skills
• Support and training for trainee nurses
• Opportunity for experienced nurses to utilise and expand their skills
• Friendly, locally owned and family-focused practice
• Work across both our Ararat and Beaufort clinics
• A team that values initiative, professional development and excellent patient and client care

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Roster

• 4-day working week
• Shifts generally 8:30am–6:00pm or 9:00am–5:30pm
• Approximately 1 Saturday morning in 4 (9:00am–12:00pm)
• Work across our Ararat and Beaufort clinics
• Some availability for after-hours veterinary support may be required

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Remuneration

Remuneration will be based on qualifications, skills and experience, with trainee and experienced nurse applicants considered accordingly.

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Interested?

If you're an experienced veterinary nurse looking for a new opportunity, or you're ready to start your veterinary nursing career and learn from a supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit the online application form or send your cover letter and CV to clinic@westernvictoriavets.com.au.