Head Veterinary Nurse | Animal Eye Care | Full-Time (4‑Day Week)

Specialist Ophthalmology. No routine weekends. A team that genuinely looks after each other.

VetPartners Australia Pty Ltd is looking for an experienced Veterinary Nurse to join our highly skilled team on a permanent basis. This is a rare opportunity to work at Animal Eye Care, Australia’s premier veterinary ophthalmology referral practice a specialist environment while enjoying excellent work‑life balance, structured support, and above‑award remuneration.

About Animal Eye Care

Animal Eye Care is Australia’s first stand‑alone veterinary referral practice and has been setting the benchmark in veterinary ophthalmology for over 30 years. Based in Melbourne, our clinic supports referring veterinarians across Victoria and beyond, delivering gold‑standard ophthalmic care while also leading the way in continuing education.

Our culture is built on professionalism, kindness, collaboration, and respect. We believe great patient care starts with looking after our people.

About the Role

This is a full‑time, permanent position (38 hours), worked across a 4‑day week, Monday to Friday. The salary for this role is between $85K and $90K plus superannuation, inclusive of all penalties. 

There is no routine weekend work, with only a rotating on‑call roster averaging one weekend every six weeks. With a dedicated reception team and Vet Nurse Assistant support, you’ll be able to focus on what you do best — patient care and clinical excellence.

What you’ll be doing:

• Training and developing Vet Nurses and Receptionists
• Monitoring anaesthesia and maintaining accurate anaesthetic records
• Administering medications and managing IV catheters
• Supporting surgical and medical ophthalmology procedures
• Communicating clearly with clients, including detailed discharge instructions
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organisation in wards and theatre
• Instrument cleaning and sterilisation with assistant support
• Light reception duties, including emergency triage and appointment coordination
• Training others to be an ophthalmic assistant, including:
  • Ophthalmic histories and basic eye examinations
  • PLR, menace response, Schirmer Tear Tests, and tonometry
  • Working closely with veterinarians, nurses, and reception staff to deliver exceptional care

What We’re Looking For

• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent)
• Minimum 5 years’ nursing experience
• Strong interest in anaesthesia and surgical nursing
• Excellent communication and client‑care skills
• Calm, mature, and professional approach
• Strong organisation and time‑management abilities
• A team‑first mindset and commitment to high standards of patient care
• Australian citizenship or valid working visa

We Know This Industry Isn’t Without Its Challenges — And We Take That Seriously

Your wellbeing matters here. Animal Eye Care provides a supportive, respectful workplace backed by real initiatives, including on‑site First Aid and Mental Health First Aid Officers, open communication, and a culture that prioritises kindness and teamwork.

Small Clinic Feel. Big Network Behind You.

Animal Eye Care is proudly part of VetPartners, Australia and New Zealand’s largest veterinary care network with 270+ clinics and a connected community of over 4,000 veterinary professionals.

As part of VetPartners, you’ll have access to:
📈 Career development pathways and specialist exposure
👶 Paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers, plus a return‑to‑work bonus
🧠 Health & wellbeing support including 24/7 EAP with Sonder and Mental Health First Aid networks
🛍️ 100+ everyday discounts on fuel, groceries, travel, entertainment, and health insurance
🐾 Pet benefits including savings on pet care and insurance
🌐 A supportive, connected veterinary community across Australia and New Zealand

What We Offer

• Above‑award remuneration for qualified and experienced nurses
• Specialist ophthalmology training and skill development
• Dedicated Vet Nurse Assistant support
• Experienced reception team to minimise non‑clinical workload
• Advanced equipment, including Mindray multi‑parameter monitoring and ventilated anaesthetic machines
• Regular team meetings, training sessions, and professional development support
• Monthly check‑ins with the Practice Manager to support open communication

Sound Like Your Kind of Place?

We’d love to hear from you.

📩 Submit your CV and application to Joseph Friend at [email protected]
📞 For further information, call (03) 9563 6488 and ask for Nicole (Practice Manager), or contact Joe Friend on 0406 067 000.

Learn more about Animal Eye Care at:
👉 https://animaleyecare.com.au

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