Head Veterinary Nurse - The Blackburn Vet

VetPartners Australia Pty; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD access to Veterinary Training Cent

VNCA membership paid

Nurse Advisory Committee involvement

Wellbeing support Sonder

Employee discounts program

Pet care discounts

Job summary

Blackburn Veterinary Centre in Melbourne is seeking a full-time Head Veterinary Nurse to lead our busy, supportive team. You’ll rotate through nurse consults and surgical support, and play a key role in developing our nursing staff.

We offer practical training, access to the Veterinary Training Centre, VNCA membership, and a network within VetPartners, with wellbeing benefits and a broad benefits program.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or equivalent qualification.
• Strong clinical experience in veterinary nursing, including a surgical setting.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians in surgery, anaesthesia and patient care.
• Assist in surgical procedures and prep for operations.
• Monitor patients pre- and post-operatively with high-quality care.
• Run nurse consultations and communicate with clients empathetically.
• Handle front-desk duties: bookings, client assistance and inquiries.
• Keep clinic organised and back-of-house operations efficient.
• Rotating roster with some weekend shifts.

Skills

Surgical assistance

Patient care

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Job description

Head Veterinary Nurse | Blackburn Veterinary Centre | Full‑Time

A busy, friendly clinic with heart, humour, and a team that genuinely has each other’s backs.

About the Clinic

Blackburn Veterinary Centre is a vibrant, well‑established clinic proudly caring for the Blackburn community. We’re a close‑knit team of 3 veterinarians and 5 support staff with a simple mission: to deliver the best of modern veterinary medicine while keeping care accessible, compassionate, and as stress‑free as possible for pets and their families. We combine up‑to‑date technology with a gentle, understanding approach, ensuring every visit is a positive experience for both patients and their people.

About the Role

We’re looking for a full‑time Head Veterinary Nurse to join our busy and supportive team. This is a varied, hands‑on role where no two days are the same. We are a clinic where your development genuinely matters, and you will play a big part in helping with the development of our Nursing staff.

You’ll rotate through nurse consults and surgical support, along with conducting regular training with your team, on a planned roster so you always know what you’re doing. If there’s a particular area you love or want to grow in, we’ll roster you to build those skills.

Beyond day‑to‑day learning, you’ll also have access to practical training programs, helping you continue to grow your skills both inside and outside the clinic.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting veterinarians across surgery, anaesthesia, and patient care
• Assisting in surgical procedures and ensuring everything is prepared and running smoothly
• Monitoring patients pre and post operatively and providing high quality nursing care
• Running nurse consults and supporting clients with empathy and clear communication
• Reception duties including booking appointments, assisting clients, and managing enquiries
• Keeping the clinic organised and ensuring back of house operations run efficiently
• Working a rotating roster including some weekends

What We’re Looking For

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent)
• Around 4+ years of clinical experience as a veterinary nurse
• Confident supporting vets across surgery and busy consult days
• Organised, proactive, and able to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes
• A genuine eagerness to learn, improve, and grow your skills
• Warm, professional communication with clients and teammates
• A team first attitude and calm approach in a busy clinic environment

Small Clinic Feel. Big Network Behind You.

Blackburn Veterinary Centre is proudly part of VetPartners – Australia and New Zealand’s largest vet care network, with 270+ clinics and a connected community of over 4,000 vets and nurses across ANZ.

What that means for you:

• Grow your skills and knowledge – Enjoy free, unlimited access to the Veterinary Training Centre (VTC), with face‑to‑face workshops designed by nurses, for nurses. Plus myVTC, our online learning platform featuring live and recorded CPD, hands‑on workshops, and an extensive library of exclusive learning designed to strengthen both your clinical and non‑clinical skills.
• Paid VNCA Membership – We'll cover the cost of your annual VNCA membership, giving you access to valuable professional resources, education, exclusive member benefits, and ongoing career development, while also strengthening professional identity and encouraging connection with the wider veterinary nursing industry.
• Nurses have a voice in clinical care – Our Nurse Advisory Committee (NAC) works alongside our Veterinary Advisory Committee (VAC) to develop evidence‑based Clinical Standards, with VetParters nurses able to identify and recommend areas where guidance is needed, helping shape standards that are relevant to everyday nursing practice.
• Your wellbeing matters – Caring for others starts with caring for you. We offer comprehensive wellbeing support, including 24/7 confidential assistance through Sonder for you and your family, a Mental Health First Aid network, and a strong commitment to workplace safety, because the people who care for pets deserve exceptional care too.
• Everyday savings & exclusive perks – Make your money go further with access to discounts on fuel, groceries, travel, entertainment, retail, private health insurance, gym memberships and much more through our employee benefits program.
• Amazing benefits for your pets – Your pets are part of the family too. Enjoy exclusive discounts on veterinary services, our Best for Pet Wellness Plan, pet insurance, medications, food, treats, and everyday pet essentials to help keep them happy and healthy.
• Be part of something bigger – As the largest veterinary network across Australia and New Zealand, VetPartners offers more than just your next role, we offer a career with endless possibilities. Whether you're looking to broaden your experience by working across different clinics, explore new areas of veterinary nursing, or progress into leadership, our extensive network gives you the flexibility and opportunity to grow your career in ways a single clinic simply can't. Your next role is just the beginning.

VetPartners is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members