Shelter Veterinary Nurse Team Leader (Leave Backfill)

Full-time, fixed-term basis from late December 2024 to early August 2025

About us:

At The Lost Dogs’ Home, we are a foundation in Victoria's animal welfare landscape, celebrated for our compassionate care of around 18,000 lost and abandoned dogs and cats every year. Beyond caring for animals, we are dedicated to providing diverse animal welfare and community programs, all aimed at giving animals the best chance of a happy and healthy life. Our mission is upheld by passionate individuals who embody a profound affinity for animals, community, and advocacy. Our team of highly skilled vets and nurses love the excitement of shelter work and love that they play such an integral part of an animal’s journey to finding a forever home.

About the role

We are currently seeking a Shelter Nurse Team Leader on a full-time, fixed-term basis from late December 2024 to early August 2025, who will be responsible for overseeing and assisting the coordination of our dedicated Shelter Veterinary Nurses. The interim Shelter Nurse Team Leader will assist the Shelter Veterinary Medicine Team to provide efficient, streamlined and compassionate veterinary services for animals in our care.

Key responsibilities include:

• lead and manage the Shelter Veterinary Nurses
• develop a positive team ethos within the immediate team through positive participation and communication
• train staff in appropriate safe and stress-free nursing and animal handling techniques
• oversee preparation of rosters within budget ensuring leave coverage
• manage staff including regular performance appraisals, goal setting
• review, develop and implement team and organisation protocols
• ensure quality animal care by liaising with the Lead Veterinarian
• ensure comprehensive records of admissions, care, treatments, rehabilitations and outcomes are maintained
• carry out veterinary related tasks under the guidance of the veterinarian

 About you

We are looking for an experienced veterinary nurse to lead and manage a team dedicated veterinary nurses, a natural leader to cultivate a good working environment. We are looking for someone who understands and promotes our values and is passionate about patient care and maintaining high standards of care.

The successful applicant will:

• Have significant experience working as a Veterinary Nurse
• Possess a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (essential)
• Experience in a shelter environment (desired)
• Experience in a leadership capacity (desired)
• Be a strong communicator with leadership and people-management skills
• Be a proven team player, with the ability to show initiative in a fast-paced environment
• Have excellent time management and organisational skills
• The ability to motivate and lead a team to high standards
• sound emotional maturity, resilience, and animal welfare ethics

What we can offer you:

• Fantastic career development and opportunities to develop skills not only shelter medicine but also in the animal welfare industry
• Generous financial assistance and support for further studies and career development courses
• Great work-life balance, no afterhours work
• An animal only role, no reception or client facing duties
• A compassionate, supportive and proud work environment
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and onsite counselling service
• Discounts at our Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Hospital (LDHVH)

If you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to be successful in this role, please click on the “Apply” button, ensuring you have attached your cover letter and current resume in Word or PDF format. If you have any further questions or queries regarding the role, please email recruitment@dogshome.com

Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early as the role may close if a suitable candidate is found. Don't miss out—apply today!

The successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete background screening checks.

The Lost Dogs’ Home is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Only candidates with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.