Veterinary Nurse - Emergency Critical Care

University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 94,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Employee assistance program

Fitness passport and staff discounts

Generous leave provisions including 36

Staff parking on site

Job summary

University of Sydney is seeking a qualified Veterinary Nurse in Emergency Critical Care to provide nursing and technical support for critical and emergency cases at the UVTHS small animal hospital.

You will monitor oxygen-dependent and ventilated patients, assist clinicians and students with treatments, participate in CPR triage and stabilize cases, while also supporting teaching and managing stock and clinical spaces. A rotating roster and after-hours shifts are expected.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent) and/or advanced nursing experience in small animal emergency environments.
• Proficiency in IV catheter placement, phlebotomy, radiography of diagnostic quality, and anesthesia for emergency patients.
• Demonstrated ability to cope with emergencies and to work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing and technical assistance to critical and emergency cases in the Small Animal ICU.
• Monitor and care for oxygen-dependent and ventilated patients.
• Assist clinicians and veterinary student interns with treatments and procedures.
• Support teaching and learning within a clinical setting and during CPR triage.
• Handle inquiries and manage after-hours reception duties; maintain stock, spaces, and equipment.

Skills

Critical care nursing

Emergency procedures

Patient monitoring

Team communication

Education

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Job description

Full‑time continuing position, contingent on the continuation of external funding

Location: Located on the Camperdown Campus at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sydney (UVTHS)

Base Salary HEO3, Step 1 (38 hpw), $82,388 p.a. + 17% superannuation + appropriate shift loadings

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney is welcoming applications for a qualified Veterinary Nurse in Emergency Critical Care to provide nursing and technical assistance with clinical and emergency cases presented to the small animal hospital. Your key responsibilities will be to: provide excellent care to critical patients within the Critical Care Unit, including monitoring/nursing care of oxygen dependant and ventilated patients assist clinicians and veterinary student interns with treatments and emergency medical procedures, focusing on student learning and engagement participate in RECOVER-based CPR triage of incoming emergency patients, assist with stabilisation and managing workflow of vets/students provide support for clinical teaching and professional nursing assistance with clinical cases handle telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries, as well as after‑hours reception duties maintain stock, including ordering of consumables, procurement of supplies, and control of stock quantities clean and maintain clinical spaces care for and maintain instruments and equipment.

Key benefits

• opportunity to learn and enhance your skills and experience in the unique teaching and research environment of a Veterinary Teaching hospital
• a University contribution of 17% of your base salary to your superannuation fund yearly personal and professional development planning, including support for continuing education
• access to the employee assistance program
• access to fitness passport, as well as discounted rates on university sports and fitness centres
• industry‑leading leave provisions, including generous paid parental leave entitlements (pending eligibility up to 36 weeks)
• located on the Camperdown campus, 4 km from the city centre, in a convenient central location with ample public transport options
• Discounted Staff Parking is also available on site

The small animal service offers

• a dedicated 24‑hour emergency and critical care service
• a small animal specialist veterinary practice for the management of a wide range of medical, surgical and emergent problems
• a first opinion general practice second opinion services
• access to advanced equipment and imaging

Qualifications

• a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent) and/or advanced veterinary nursing experience in a small animal veterinary hospital emergency environment
• proficiency in general nursing skills, including placement of IV catheters, phlebotomy, performing radiographs of diagnostic quality, and anaesthesia for emergency patients (e.g. blocked cats/stitch-ups)
• knowledge of a large range of veterinary emergency and critical care cases
• demonstrated ability to cope with emergencies and stressful situations
• demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team
• the ability to communicate with veterinary professionals and academic staff, as well as confidence in a teaching role
• experience working in a customer service environment with demonstrated high levels of care for patients and clients
• a willingness and ability to work a rotating roster across weekdays, evenings, overnights, alternating weekends and public holidays
• demonstrated ability to lift animals up to 16kg and heavier animals with assistance (mechanical and/or team lifting), adhering to the University’s Heavy Lifting Policy
• vaccination for Q Fever or willingness to be vaccinated
• experience with advanced anaesthesia will be highly regarded

Work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre‑employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre‑employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary steps, including the termination of your employment.

EEO Statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence, and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive.

We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve.

We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+.

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer.

Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

Applications Close

Sunday 04 October 2026 11:59 PM

Additional Information

Want to know more about working at the University of Sydney? https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us.html

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.