Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to join our Australia Zoo Veterinary Care Team in a Full Time capacity as a Veterinary Nurse!

Australia Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We provide specific workplace programs to support diversity and equal employment opportunities for women, people with disabilities and all cultural backgrounds.

At Australia Zoo, Zoo Vet Nurses work closely with the Zoo Veterinarians and Keeper management to ensure the daily operations of Australia Zoo animal care are maintained to a high level.

Zoo Vet Nurses must be able to function in a dynamic environment, with constantly changing priorities consistent with emergency work. Animal welfare is a top priority and a responsibility for personal safety when working with animals is critical.

Nurses are required to show a high level of professionalism, commitment and dedication to their roles, which may include long hours, night-time work and weekend/public holiday work.

Responsibilities or duties

Assisting veterinarians in day-to-day running of the Zoo Hospital, including preparation for procedures, anaesthetic monitoring, surgical preparation and emergency treatment/procedures across all animals.

Provide nursing care to hospitalised animals and direction of keepers as to the husbandry requirements of hospitalised animals.

Administer medications, vaccines and treatments as directed by the veterinarians.

Assist veterinarians with medication dispensing and ordering.

Oversight of the cleaning and maintaining of the Zoo hospital and equipment to the highest standards. This includes calibration, compliance with servicing schedules and basic upkeep of hospital equipment, field equipment and zoo department vehicle.

Assist with and carry out sample collection and in-house laboratory testing including appropriate handling and storage, reporting and banking of samples as required.

Maintain stock levels of medications, consumables and other hospital supplies

Communication and addressing of enquiries from internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Zoo Veterinary Department.

Provide guidance and training to keepers regarding basic health monitoring and clinical techniques as directed by the veterinarians.

Support of preventative health programmes including vaccination, parasite control and other routine treatments as required.

Implement and monitor infection control and biosecurity measures within the hospital.

Engage in ongoing professional development to ensure the highest level of care and knowledge in the area of zoo veterinary nursing.

Compliance with all relevant legislation including the Nature Conservation Act, the Animal Welfare Act, COP for Wildlife in QLD and Queensland Health Regulation.

Commitment to Australia Zoo Group policies and procedures.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Certificate IV or higher in Veterinary Nursing.

Sound knowledge and competency in all aspects of veterinary nursing including but not limited to, first aid and emergency medicine, sampling techniques, in-house laboratory testing, drug calculations and administration techniques, maintaining animal and medical records, proficient in the use of ZIMS.

Experience and practical knowledge using and maintaining a variety of veterinary equipment including radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, dental, anaesthetic monitoring and other equipment.

Have or be eligible to obtain a licence to use radiation sources (diagnostic veterinary radiography) from Queensland Health.

Have relevant vaccinations for working in the industry (Tetanus, Lyssavirus, QFever) unless otherwise exempt.

Flexibility with days/hours of work (including weekends, public holidays and school holidays).

Experience needed

Experience working as a Veterinary Nurse alongside Zoo animals.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Preferred Criteria:

Experience working alongside Zoo animals in similar disciplines (ZooKeeper, Husbandry, Training).

• Assisting veterinarians in day-to-day running of the Zoo Hospital, including preparation for procedures, anaesthetic monitoring, surgical preparation and emergency treatment/procedures across all animals.
• Provide nursing care to hospitalised animals and direction of keepers as to the husbandry requirements of hospitalised animals.
• Administer medications, vaccines and treatments as directed by the veterinarians.
• Assist veterinarians with medication dispensing and ordering.
• Oversight of the cleaning and maintaining of the Zoo hospital and equipment to the highest standards. This includes calibration, compliance with servicing schedules and basic upkeep of hospital equipment, field equipment and zoo department vehicle.
• Assist with and carry out sample collection and in-house laboratory testing including appropriate handling and storage, reporting and banking of samples as required.
• Maintain stock levels of medications, consumables and other hospital supplies
• Communication and addressing of enquiries from internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Zoo Veterinary Department.
• Provide guidance and training to keepers regarding basic health monitoring and clinical techniques as directed by the veterinarians.
• Support of preventative health programmes including vaccination, parasite control and other routine treatments as required.
• Implement and monitor infection control and biosecurity measures within the hospital.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to ensure the highest level of care and knowledge in the area of zoo veterinary nursing.
• Compliance with all relevant legislation including the Nature Conservation Act, the Animal Welfare Act, COP for Wildlife in QLD and Queensland Health Regulation.
• Commitment to Australia Zoo Group policies and procedures.

• Veterinary nursing
• First aid and emergency medicine
• Sampling techniques
• In-house laboratory testing
• Drug calculations and administration techniques
• Maintaining animal and medical records
• Proficient in the use of ZIMS
• Using and maintaining a variety of veterinary equipment including radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, dental, anaesthetic monitoring
• Radiation safety
• Communication
• Training
• Infection control and biosecurity
• Professional development

• Certificate IV or higher in Veterinary Nursing
• Have or be eligible to obtain a licence to use radiation sources (diagnostic veterinary radiography) from Queensland Health.
• Have relevant vaccinations for working in the industry (Tetanus, Lyssavirus, QFever) unless otherwise exempt.