Head Veterinary Nurse

About the role

A busy, modern small animal clinic in Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, QLD, is looking for an experienced Head Veterinary Nurse to lead its nursing team, champion clinical excellence and help build a supportive culture. The role balances leadership, mentorship and hands-on nursing, with no after-hours work and closed Sundays and public holidays.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support the veterinary nursing team, including onboarding, training and development
• Work closely with the Practice Manager and Vet Director and manage daily nursing operations
• Promote a positive, accountable workplace culture and identify process improvements
• Maintain high clinical standards and support exceptional client care and communication
• Surgical nursing and anaesthetic monitoring, pre- and post-operative care, hospital and treatment nursing
• Pathology and laboratory work, emergency and critical care nursing
• Assist with consultations, diagnostics and treatments, and support patients from admission to discharge

Required profile

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent)
• Minimum 3+ years of clinical nursing experience
• Previous senior nurse, leadership, mentoring or team leadership experience
• Strong surgical nursing and anaesthetic monitoring skills
• Champions fear-free, low-stress handling and continuous improvement
• Excellent organisational and communication skills; calm and solutions-focused in busy periods

Required skills

• RxWorks (desirable but not essential)
• Surgical nursing and anaesthetic monitoring

What we offer

• Competitive remuneration and ongoing CPD and professional development
• Leadership development, mentoring, access to LinkedIn Learning and VetWebinars, and annual Greencross Clinical Conference
• Career progression across a national network, Fitness Passport and EAP
• Staff and Petbarn discounts, Royal Canin benefits, Pounce discounts and supportive regional leadership