Veterinary Nurse

Join our veterinary nursing team and deliver high-quality care across multiple hospital departments. You’ll work both independently and alongside experienced professionals, united by a shared commitment to helping pets live healthy, happy lives with the people who love them.

• Wide variety of opportunities across departments including complex theatre, A&E and ICU
• Flexibility across a wide range of shift options, including late shifts, overnight and weekends – Lort Smith is open 365 days a year
• Training and upskilling opportunities for development into areas including senior nursing and management

About Lort Smith
Lort Smith is Australia’s largest not-for-profit animal hospital, dedicated to keeping pets and their people together. For over 90 years, we’ve championed the powerful impact of the human-animal bond by providing accessible, compassionate care to more than 20,000 animals each year. Our services include world-class veterinary care, rehoming programs, and community initiatives that make a meaningful difference in thousands of lives. We’re committed to ensuring that no one is left behind, offering flexible financing options to help low-income individuals access the care their pets need.
  
About the role
Vet Nurses you will work as part of a team that is primarily responsible for high level professional support to veterinarians as well as building the reputation of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital (LSAH) through exceptional customer relations.
  
About you
You bring confidence in your clinical skills and thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment. Motivated by a commitment to excellence in veterinary nursing, you’re driven to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and their people.
  
Your skills and experience

• Formal qualifications in Veterinary Nursing, such as a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing or Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (essential).
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working within an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or hospital environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently triage cases, prioritise patient needs, and manage multiple patients concurrently, including timely escalation of concerns.
• Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Comprehensive, hands‑on understanding of infectious disease control, including appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Proven experience monitoring patients under anaesthesia for both routine and emergency procedures.
• Ability to perform CPR in line with current RECOVER guidelines.
• Competence in venepuncture, IV catheter placement, and basic clinical pathology procedures.
• High-standard nursing documentation skills, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compliance with organisational protocols.
• Well-developed emotional intelligence and self‑awareness, enabling resilience in fast‑paced, emotionally demanding environments.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Additional study in other specialities or areas of interest will be highly regarded.You may also have

• Anaesthesia experience with critical patients such as FLUTD cats, enterectomy and enterotomy procedures.
• Specific experience, knowledge and understanding of capnography, doppler and oscillometric blood pressure monitoring.
• Proficiency in monitoring anaesthetics for general procedures and/or orthopaedic procedures.
• Capability in managing and caring for exotics and wildlife.
• Exposure to EzyVet and SmartFlow software systems.

Why join us
At Lort Smith, you’ll find meaningful work with real social impact. You’ll help shape the financial future of an iconic Melbourne institution while working alongside a dedicated and compassionate team.

We offer

• A purpose-driven organisation making a genuine impact in the community.
• Strong focus on employee wellbeing, including comprehensive EAP support.
• Pet‑friendly workplace policies plus discounts on veterinary care, products, and pet insurance.
• Diverse career opportunities across departments such as complex theatre, A&E, and ICU.
• Flexible shift options (late, overnight, weekends) — open 365 days a year.
• Ongoing training and development, including pathways into senior nursing and management.
• High‑quality training delivered by industry leaders, both on the floor and in dedicated workshops.
• Opportunities to collaborate on innovative projects.
• Access to advanced equipment including CT and fluoroscopy.
• Exposure to varied acuity levels and a broad range of clinical cases.
• Exceptional support from a highly skilled and diverse team.
• Commitment to work–life balance, including finishing on time and 1‑hour lunch breaks.
• No on‑call roster.

If you have more than 3 years’ hands on experience in an animal hospital, busy clinic or shelter and you satisfy the criteria, then please apply directly via the job ad.
  
How to apply
To apply, please click ‘Apply Now’ and upload your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be scheduled at any time. We encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the position description, please email *******@lortsmith.com for a confidential discussion.

To learn more about Lort Smith and the work we do, please visit: www.lortsmith.com or look us up on Instagram.
Lort Smith is a great place to work. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively support workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.