" Coordinator - Veterinary Nurse"

Job description: Coordinator - Veterinary nurse

Position purpose:

To coordinate daily operations of the relevant Companion Animal Hospital service, liaising with internal and external customers to ensure a professional, efficient, high-quality experience.

To coordinate and participate in all aspects of veterinary nursing to the full extent including medical, surgical, critical and post-operative patient care while supervising students and staff to maintain a high standard.

Department:

Location:

Companion Animal Hospital, School of Veterinary Science

Palmerston North

Reports to:

Responsible for:

Delegations:

Job title:

Referral Service or Frontline Service Nurse Supervisor

Nil.

Nil.

Coordinator – Veterinary Nurse

Key relationships:

Internal

Practice Manager

Nurse Supervisors

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Colleagues

School of Veterinary Science Staff

Undergraduates of the BVSc

External

Partner and Referring Veterinary Clinics and Veterinarians

Veterinary Contractors

Veterinary Teaching Hospital Clients

Massey University:

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We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields of research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to community and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and skills to advance human knowledge and understanding. Working together across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while culturally and artistically enriching our world.

We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.

Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and cultural strengths, expands their

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horizons and prepares them to contribute to a rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative thinking and leadership.

We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we do, but by how we do it.

About this area

This role works within the Companion Animal Hospital, working alongside veterinary professionals and specialists, in New Zealand’s only Veterinary Teaching Hospital facility. The hospital provides both first and second opinion services, with the support of dedicated radiology and anaesthesia services.

Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society.

• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and the people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.

• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.

• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.

• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.

• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.

• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.

• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University's health, safety and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our students/ stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.

• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit to ongoing personal and professional development.

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.

• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and the communities we serve.

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• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.

• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.

• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.

• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

Accountabilities

Service coordination

• Day-to-day operational management of the service, ensuring resources and bookings are aligned for optimal patient care and undergraduate teaching.

• Maintain effective communication and associated processes with all stakeholders to ensure the highest standard of customer/stakeholder service

• Oversee patient treatments and care to ensure delivery and completion of all patient requirements in liaison with the clinician(s) on duty.

• Oversee the daily invoicing of procedures, therefore contributing towards the revenue for the SoVSc

• Ensures documentation compliance in accordance with best practice and Veterinary Teaching Hospital policies and procedures.

• Assist with the sourcing and purchase of equipment in liaison with the clinicians and Practice manager – Companion Animal Hospital

• Ensuring stock and supplies are maintained at appropriate levels and restocked in a timely manner.

• Responsible for induction of students to the service

• Assist in annual SOP assessment and SOP development as requested

• Maintenance, troubleshooting and use of specialised equipment e.g.:

o Autoclaves and washer

o Arthroscopy and endoscopy equipment

o Theatre equipment including surgical drills and saws etc

o Oxygen cage

o Lab equipment (e.g., blood analysers)

• In-depth knowledge of service specific areas e.g.:

o Safety protocols for:

▪ Strontium

▪ Radioactive iodine therapy (I131)

▪ Delivery of chemotherapy

▪ Handling of cytotoxic agents

▪ Radiation

▪ Fluoroscopy

o Hygiene and sterilisation protocols

o Specialised stock, such as blood products, lab consumables

• New staff training in conjunction with nursing supervisors and clinical coordinator

General nursing

• Perform general nursing activities adeptly to standards expected of a trained veterinary nurse. These include but are not limited to:

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o Manual handling which includes small mammals, aggressive animals, critically ill animals, sedated/anaesthetised animals

o assisting with patient imaging (radiology, CT scanning, ultrasound)

o anaesthetic and peri-anaesthetic patient care and monitoring

o performance of routine procedures (including surgery)

o preparation and administration of medications

o collection and submission of diagnostic samples

• Perform high quality nursing care for all clinical cases, including critically ill and acutely sick in-patients and post-operative patients

• Follow charted nursing instructions accurately and in a timely fashion.

• Provide appropriate assistance to clinician(s) in the area of the Hospital where assigned. The area assigned to and/or those tasks assigned will change according to the needs of the hospital and is at the discretion of the Nursing Supervisor and Practice Manager.

• Ensure that the patient’s basic needs (food, water and exercise), their comfort and hygiene meet standards expected within a veterinary hospital.

• Clean and maintain equipment promptly and efficiently according to protocols.

• Follow protocols and policies used within the Companion Animal Hospital.

• Adherence to Veterinary Teaching Hospital Controlled Drug policies.

• Comprehend veterinary discharge instructions to such a level that they can be relayed accurately to clients.

• Assist with clinical research projects as and when required under the supervision of the designated academic lead.

• Undertake professional development activities as required and approved, which are relevant to the position.

• To perform other reasonable duties as directed (eg stocktake, reception duties).

Practical tuition

• Provide clinical on-the-job tuition, assistance and supervision of undergraduate veterinary students, within the bounds of the incumbent’s knowledge and role.

• Assist clinicians with equipment and resources set-up for teaching labs/lectures.

• Contribute to the evaluation / assessment of a student’s practical and professional skills.

Communication

• To practice effective and respectful communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

• To service clients professionally and with empathy to their cultural, emotional and physical state.

• Use, with appropriate in-house training, the hospital’s practice management computer software system and keep accurate medical records.

• Maintain client and patient confidentially at all times

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• Provide an accurate and effective handover to the Emergency Critical Care team for ongoing care and monitoring of patients held overnight.

Health and safety

• To take reasonable care of one’s own health and safety, as well as that of others, so that others are not harmed by something they do or do not do eg. Knowledge of the risks associated with their different work tasks and ensures student safety

• Have a clear understanding of overall Health and Safety legislation and regulations in relation to the operations of a Veterinary Clinic, as well as knowledge of Massey H&S policies and follow any reasonable instructions given by management

• Ensure correct manual handling techniques are adopted to mitigate injury or illness

• Understand the zoonotic risks associated with presenting symptoms and be familiar with biosecurity protocols.

• To record incidents, near misses and potential risk through DoneSafe as well as notifying Practice manger

Afterhours/On-call duties

• Provide afterhours medical/surgical/anaesthesia support for emergencies

• When on-call, to be readily available to the afterhours emergency team and within a reasonable distance to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital as not to cause critical delays in the emergency care required.

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications:

Diploma (or demonstrable equivalent) of Veterinary Nursing or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology

Experience:

Essential

• Following qualification, at least two years in companion animal veterinary practice

• Experience of the normal physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) of dogs and cats.

• Be able to recognise and communicate abnormalities to clinicians and intervene as appropriate within the scope of practice.

• Demonstrated expertise in calculating drug dose rates, fluid rates, calorie requirements of dogs and cats.

• Demonstrated expertise in performing a simple physical examination to the standard deemed appropriate for a Diploma or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology qualified nurse.

• Experience in successfully intubating, monitoring and extubating of dogs and cats undergoing anaesthesia.

Desirable

• Following qualification, three or more years in companion animal veterinary practice.

• Experience working within university or specialist veterinary clinics.

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• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and direct team members to achieve the required daily outcomes for service delivery as well as working unsupervised.

• Experience in business services and process improvement.

• Ability to manage multiple projects/initiatives at the same time.

Capabilities - Behaviour

Communication

Essential

• Understands and delivers written and oral information that produces clear and complete communication for stakeholders

• Recognises which communications need to be formalised to provide clarity, including when escalation is required.

• Conducts discussions in a respectful manner, that are sincere and professional.

• Adapts listening and facilitation styles to others' communication styles.

Working together

Essential

• Works effectively with key stakeholders internally and externally. Knows when to apply confidentiality.

• Values diversity and inclusion; adapts interaction style appropriately to different situations and people; is sensitive and respectful to cultural needs.

• Works to understand alternative points of view to guide productive working relationships.

• Understands the factors for high performance, and creates positive partnerships and cohesive teams

Service centric

Essential

• Acts with the internal/external stakeholder or customer in mind, seeks to understand and deliver on customer perceptions and expectations.

• Able to respond to common stakeholder queries and problems or escalate if required.

• Responds to unexpected stakeholder requests with a sense of urgency and positive action.

• Provides a level of customer centric service excellence that contributes to the department’s objectives.

Learning and development

Essential

• Is open and flexible in their approach to new ideas, drawing on experience to improve results, is motivated and willing to learn.

• Works with agility, adjusting current working processes or adopting new approaches in response to changes in the organisation environment.

• Seeks challenging opportunities or assignments to grow and develop one's own knowledge, skills and abilities.

• Communicates and analyses assumptions about a particular issue with colleagues to gain new perspectives or more effective solutions.

Capabilities - Technical

Digital skills

Ability to learn and use core Massey University systems

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

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Desirable

▪ Developing proficiency in the use of SharePoint/Teams (Create new, open, edit, save)

Technical management

Desirable

▪ Seeks opportunities for continual learning to maintain technical competence in pursuit of nursing excellence.

▪ Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components.

▪ Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services.

▪ Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.

Hospital practice

Desirable

▪ Handle companion animals using low-stress and fear free handling techniques, or be willing to learn that technique

Pre-employment checks

Essential

• Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.

• Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic Convictions (Security) Check performed by the Ministry of Justice.