Description

Veterinary Head Nurse

Hall Veterinary Surgery in Canberra are looking for an experienced, dedicated and qualified veterinary nurse wishing to take the next step into leading a team.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a small team with many nursing and leadership pathways to continue your journey.

This is a permanent full-time role. Rostered hours between 7:30 to 19:00 Mondays – Fridays and 8:00 to 13.00 on Saturdays. Saturdays are on rotation. (i.e. not every Saturday).

Remuneration is $33 - $35 Base Hourly Rate (excluding penalty rates & super) negotiable dependant on experience.

Our ideal candidate

We are looking for someone who's up to the challenge:

• Personal qualities to aspire

  In order to successfully carry out the duties of the Head nurse we are looking for someone who is approachable, has good sense of humour, is a strong leader, team player, self starter, observant, and a good communicator who possess good people skills.

  Supervision of all nursing staff

  It is the duty of the head nurse to supervise all nursing staff including work experience. They are responsible for the administration, allocation of duties and management of nursing activities, including ensuring high quality of patient care.

  Training of staff

  The Head nurse supervises the nursing staff. They evaluate nurse’s performances using competency manuals. They also supervise training of new nurses, assignment of a mentor and ensure the correct training techniques are implemented.

  Maximise the function of the working environment

  The head nurse ensures the hospital is run efficiently without problems; they need to keep the day flowing smoothly and make sure all tasks are done by the end of nurse’s shifts. They also recognise where workloads are getting too heavy and delegate tasks to other nurses as needed. They ensure that patients' conditions remain stable and that vets treatment instructions have been properly carried out. It is the role of the head nurse to approve on the day admissions for non-urgent procedures pending the workload and cage space of the hospital that day.

  Continued education for nursing staff

  The Head nurse encourages all nurses to participate in continuing education and facilitates the running of monthly nurse meeting/training sessions.

  External continuing education is approved by the practice manager. It is also the responsibility of head nurse to ensure all nursing staff undertake training on new equipment as it arrives or existing equipment if they are unsure of how to use it.

  First point of call for any nursing issues.

  The Head nurse listens to complaints from nursing staff and from clients who have issues with nursing care. If the head nurse cannot deal with the complaint themselves, they must refer it to a practice manager or clinic director respectively. It is also the job of the head nurse to facilitate effective resolution of conflicts within the nursing team, whilst complying within the hospital regulations for conflict resolution.

  Current standards of care

  It is the role of the Head nurse to ensure standards of care are kept up-to-date and accessible to all staff. The head nurse must undertake appropriate steps to update the SOC when current information changes. It is also the responsibility of the head nurse to ensure all staff are aware of any changes in protocol.

  Rosters

  It is the role of the head nurse to ensure rosters are completed and published a minimum of 4 weeks in advance. It is also their responsibility to ensure all shifts on the roster are filled and in any case where the shifts cannot be filled it is the responsibility of the head nurse to adjust the scheduler and surgery workload to reflect this (with the permission of the practice manager

If you think this sounds like the career path you have been waiting for please apply

How to apply 

• Applicants are required to include an updated resume and cover letter with the following Selection Criteria 
  • Why you are applying for this role
  • What leadership qualities do you have
  • What you would bring to the role
  • Goals for your future career

Applications should be via email, addressed to our Practice Manager Janet at [email protected]