Part-time | NFP | Animal Care & Vet Services Award Level 3, $29.45 per hour

About Us

At Animal Welfare League of Queensland (AWLQ), our vision is for every companion animal to have a safe and caring environment where their needs are met. We are driven by a commitment to integrity, compassion, innovation, and optimism. As a leader in the animal welfare sector, we're dedicated to a brighter future for both animals and our community.

Our Community Vet Clinics exist to make veterinary care accessible to the people and animals who need it most.

The Opportunity

This is a developing nursing role sitting between Animal Attendant and Veterinary Nurse, and it's built for someone who wants to grow into full nursing duties with the right support around them.

You will start your day with the morning inpatient nurse on hospital rounds, moving through the treatment room, dog and cat wards and wildlife areas. You'll prepare patient areas, feed and settle hospitalised animals, assist with handling and restraint, and carry out basic observations as you're trained to do them.

Every task is performed under the direction of a Veterinary Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, Nurse Manager or Veterinarian. You'll be given clear scope, supervision and competency-based training, and you'll be encouraged to ask questions and escalate anything that doesn't look right. Noticing a change in a patient and speaking up about it is one of the most valuable things you will do in this role.

If you have animal care experience and want a structured pathway into veterinary nursing, this is that step.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Inpatient Nurse with morning hospital rounds across treatment room, dog ward, cat ward and wildlife areas
• Prepare patient areas, bedding, food, water and equipment, and assist with cage setup, comfort and enrichment
• Feed and water hospital patients according to chart instructions and dietary plans
• Assist with patient handling and restraint for examinations, treatments and routine procedures
• Perform delegated basic observations, including demeanour, appetite, toileting, pain or stress signs, wounds, bandages, temperature, pulse, respiration and weight where trained
• Record observations accurately on patient charts and report abnormal findings immediately
• Assist with medications and treatments only where delegated, supervised and within your competency
• Participate in verbal handovers and rounds discussions, providing concise updates to the Inpatient Nurse
• Maintain accurate patient and animal care records, and assist with ward whiteboards and task lists
• Assist quarantine patients in the correct order and with appropriate PPE
• Clean cages, wards, treatment areas and equipment in line with clinic protocols, and maintain infection control standards
• Monitor ward supplies and restocking requirements
• Follow all workplace health and safety requirements, including correct use of PPE and chemicals, and report incidents, injuries and hazards
• Actively participate in training and competency development towards Veterinary Nurse duties

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Basic animal handling skills and familiarity with ward, kennel or hospital routines
• Clear written and verbal communication, particularly in patient records and handover notes
• Ability to recognise signs of illness, stress, pain or deterioration and escalate them promptly
• Understanding of the limits of the role, and the confidence to seek clarification rather than assume
• Sound numeracy for feeding amounts, weights and delegated observations
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow charted instructions accurately
• Ability to manage your own time effectively and be respectful of the time of others
• Ability to remain calm, flexible and professional in a busy clinical environment
• Genuine empathy for patients, clients and colleagues

Desirable

• Certificate II in Animal Care or equivalent
• Working towards, or intending to enrol in, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
• Experience as an Animal Attendant, in an animal care role, or through voluntary or vocational work placement

How to Apply

Please submit your application, including your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your interest in developing as a veterinary nurse. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.