About This Opportunity

We are seeking an enthusiastic and qualified Nurse Coordinator to join the expanding Urgent Care Nursing and Support Team within UQ VETS’ Small Animal Hospital. In this key leadership role, you will oversee staff development and training, coordinate scheduling, and ensure compliance with hospital policies and procedures.

At UQ VETS, we take pride in delivering high-quality patient care in a fast-paced and compassionate environment. Our Small Animal Hospital offers a wide range of state-of-the-art services, including emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, avian and exotics, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging.

With 24/7 nursing support for our patients, you will work closely with experienced veterinarians and support staff, while also contributing to the clinical training of Veterinary Science and Veterinary Technology students.

This position operates on a rotating shift roster that includes days, afternoons, overnights, weekends, and public holidays, and offers competitive remuneration.

As a 24-hour operation, your take-home salary will be dependent on your specific roster, including loadings of 50% for weekend shifts, 25% for night shifts, and 15% for afternoon shifts.

Afternoon shifts are shifts commencing at or after midday and finishing at or before midnight, Night Shift are shifts extending beyond midnight and finishing at or before 9AM. Further details will be discussed throughout the interview process, or feel free to reach out via the contact details below.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Clinical and Technical Support
  Deliver high-level nursing care in ICU, surgery, isolation, and hospital wards; perform diagnostic pathology and imaging support (radiography, CT, scintigraphy, MRI); maintain specialised equipment; and ensure excellent patient husbandry.
• Team Leadership and Operational Coordination
  Supervise, mentor, and support nurses, technicians, and interns; coordinate daily activities within designated VTH services; ensure compliance with SOPs and contribute to their development; uphold a safe and efficient working environment.
• Teaching, Communication, and Collaboration
  Contribute to clinical training of veterinary and veterinary technology students; liaise confidently with veterinarians, specialists, coordinators, and staff; ensure effective communication for smooth hospital operations.
• Administration, Inventory, and Client Services
  Use practice management software for administration, inventory management, and reporting; assist with reception and dispensary functions; and provide exceptional client service both in person and over the phone.

About UQ VETS

A career at UQ VETS means making a difference to not only the lives of the people and animals in your care, but also the next generation of vets and vet technicians. At UQ VETS, we offer the opportunity to build a dynamic career through structured development programs and access to industry leaders.

Instead of solely concentrating on meeting caseload benchmarks or revenue targets, your priorities lie in creating an impact, establishing a lasting impression on the field, and conducting work that brings about positive changes in the lives of animals.

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital is an organisational unit within the School that includes all of the School’s outstanding clinical facilities. UQ VETS Equine Hospital is largely referral-based hospital with advanced facilities and offers a 24-hour emergency medical and surgical service. UQ VETS Small Animal Hospital boasts the latest in veterinary medical and surgical diagnostic and treatment options for small animals, birds, exotic pets and wildlife, as well as a 7-day urgent and emergency Care service. The UQ VETS Clinical Studies Centre facilitates and provides support to pre-clinical and clinical training in companion animals as well as a renowned research hub for clinical and behavioural research. The Centre includes a 16 – table surgical teaching facility and is also used for veterinary continuing education events. The Clinical Studies Centre is also home to the School’s Pets-for-Life Adoption Program. UQ staff also supervise clinical placements at the RSPCA’s Brisbane Animal Care Campus, Wacol.

In particular, the UQ VETS Small Animal Hospital values every animal and offers unrivalled medical, surgical and diagnostic services for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals and fish at our world-class veterinary hospital in Gatton. You can take a virtual tour of our Small Animal Hospital here.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Free parking and intercampus bus
• On campus childcare, medical clinic, and post office
• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• 25% discount on eligible UQ Vets services
• Access to our $4.1 million UQ Sports facility
• Volunteer in our community garden

About You

• Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing and/or Bachelor of Applied Science (Veterinary Technology) and/or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology or equivalent.
• A postgraduate qualification in Veterinary Nursing or relevant specialist qualification is desirable
• Demonstrated experience working as a senior technician within the VTH, or another large clinic.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver and maintain high standards of professional veterinary nursing in all areas of nursing.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise and mentor staff.
• Be able to work independently within their service and have the proven ability to establish effective working relationships within a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly with the use of initiative and autonomy.
• Good written and oral communication skills, including high level organisational skills and demonstrated ability to use these skills in managing professional & operational relationships with colleagues, clients and students.
• Knowledge of ethical requirements, relevant policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, employment equity and anti-discrimination.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and excellence in the field of veterinary technology and nursing.
• Interest in the clinical teaching of veterinary and veterinary technology professionals in training.
• Possess or be able to apply for a radiation license.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia and mandatory immunisations.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mrs Sophie Jackson at s.alonso@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close 27 August 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-53467).