Small Animal Veterinary Nurse - Emergency Critical Care

The University of Adelaide; Roseworthy; On-site; AUD 74,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Adelaide is seeking a Small Animal Veterinary Nurse for Emergency Critical Care to provide high-quality nursing support across consultations, procedures, treatments and surgeries in a busy Small Animal Hospital. The role operates on a rotating 24/7 roster to ensure continuous patient care and hospital services.

You will monitor patients, assist with anaesthesia and imaging, perform emergency triage and stabilisation, implement treatments, and communicate with clients, while

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology with a minimum of two years’ veterinary nursing experience.
• Experience in surgery, emergency, internal medicine or general practice.
• Experience using practice management software.
• Experience supervising/training students.
• Experience applying OHS and biosecurity protocols.
• Ability to work in a 24/7 rotating hospital roster.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality nursing support across consultations, procedures, treatments and surgeries.
• Operate across a rotating 24/7 roster to ensure continuous patient care.
• Monitor patients and provide care including anaesthesia and imaging preparation.
• Perform emergency triage and stabilisation and implement treatments.
• Communicate with clients and support teaching/mentoring veterinary students.

Skills

Emergency nursing

Surgical support

Hospital operations

Roster adaptability

Education

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Bachelor of Veterinary Technology

Tools

Practice management software

Job description

Small Animal Veterinary Nurse - Emergency Critical Care

• The University of Adelaide
• Australia, SA
• May 26, 2026

Full Time - Fixed Term, Full Time - Continuing

About The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and...

• Full-time continuing and fixed-term positions available
• Participation in a 24/7 rotating roster, with an opportunity to significantly increase earnings through roster penalties and shift loadings, which may equate to approximately 30–40% above base salary depending on roster participation
• Salary Range: $73,961 to $81,067 plus 17% superannuation
• Work in a dynamic emergency and critical care veterinary hospital environment

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters

As a Small Animal Veterinary Nurse - Emergency Critical Care, you will deliver high-quality nursing support across consultations, procedures, treatments, and surgeries within the Small Animal Hospital. This role operates across a rotating 24/7 roster to support the delivery of continuous patient care and hospital services.
You will play a key role in patient monitoring and care, anaesthesia and imaging preparation, emergency triage and stabilisation, treatment implementation, and client communication, while also contributing to clinical teaching and mentoring support for veterinary students in a collaborative hospital environment.

Working closely with veterinarians, client relations, and administrative teams, you will support safe and effective clinical delivery across medical, surgical, dental, diagnostic, and emergency services while contributing to the smooth operation of the hospital through best-practice hygiene, animal housing, and biosecurity standards.
In addition to the base salary and superannuation, this role offers the opportunity to earn substantial additional income through applicable shift penalties, weekend rates, and after-hours loadings associated with the roster. For nurses who actively participate across the rotating roster, these additional payments can provide a meaningful uplift to total remuneration.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full role description below to discover more about this opportunity.

The team

This role sits within the Roseworthy Veterinary Hospital team in the College of Science and reports to the Veterinary Nurse Team Lead. The team works collaboratively to deliver high-quality veterinary services to clients and referring veterinarians while supporting clinical teaching and learning outcomes across the University community.

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced and hands-on clinical environment. You will work closely with veterinarians, students, clients, and support staff across a variety of emergency and critical care cases, making every day engaging and rewarding.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU .

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, or a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, together with a minimum of two years’ relevant veterinary nursing experience.

Experience

• Experience in veterinary nursing with sound technical skills in areas such as surgery, emergency, internal medicine or general practice
• Experience working in a clinical setting maintaining best practices
• Experience with practice management software
• Experience providing supervision and/or training to students
• Experience applying Occupational Health and Safety and biosecurity protocols
• Experience working independently and as part of a team in a dynamic hospital environment
• Ability to participate in a 24/7 rotational roster

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Launch your future with Adelaide University now

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493154):