Veterinary Nurse

Purpose of Role The Veterinary Nurse (VN) is a key support role to the Senior Veterinary Nurse (SVN), two Veterinary Surgeons within the Veterinary and Behavioural Husbandry Services (VBHS) department, and the VBHS director.
The Veterinary
Nurse (VN) supports the delivery of the Vietnamese Veterinary Nurse Internship (VVNI) and plays a role in the training and supervision of Vietnamese Veterinary Interns (VVI) and Junior Veterinary Surgeons (JVS), primarily across the Vietnam bear sanctuaries. In all training and clinical work, the VN is expected to consistently uphold the organisation's high standards of animal welfare, with occasional involvement in the elephant project as required.
When required, the VN partners with the VBHS Veterinary Surgeon to deliver veterinary nurse expertise and support to our partner projects, such as the government rescue centres.
Note: this is not a direct, clinical role - while there are many clinical components, key deliverables are training, mentoring and capacity building of others.
Key Responsibilities
● Actively participates in the Vietnamese Veterinary Nurse Internship (VVNI) program as a trainer and mentor, supporting intern learning through day-to-day supervision, skills coaching, and role modelling of professional veterinary nursing practice.
● Supports the training and supervision of Vietnamese Veterinary Interns (VVI's) and Junior Veterinary Surgeons (JVS) by assisting with practical skill development, providing informal feedback, and escalating training needs or concerns to the SVN or VS as appropriate.
● Assists in the implementation of veterinary nursing protocols, ensuring procedures are followed accurately and consistently, and provides feedback to the SVN on staff understanding of protocols, clarity of instructions, and any barriers to consistent application.
● Contributes to the continuous improvement of veterinary nursing protocols by identifying opportunities to enhance animal welfare and suggesting updates or new techniques or equipment for review by the SVN and VS.
● Works collaboratively with the veterinary, behavioural husbandry, captive wildlife and sanctuary teams to support animal welfare outcomes, contributing practical insights from daily clinical work.
● Supports partner projects and collaborative activities as directed, contributing veterinary nursing expertise and assistance under the guidance of the VS and SVN.
● Continues to develop their own veterinary nursing skills through ongoing learning, participation in internal training, and maintaining required CPD, applying new knowledge to practice where appropriate.
● Participates in on-call and out-of-hours care when required, following established procedures and escalation pathways.
Requirements
Skills / Abilities
A passion for teaching with the desire to motivate, and inspire staff by sharing their veterinary nursing skills to develop these skills in others.
Must be able to commit for a minimum of 2 years.
Must be willing to relocate between different areas of Vietnam, potentially for extended periods of time (approved associated costs covered by Animals Asia).
Ability to be flexible in working patterns consisting of periods of clinical work, desk work and off-site work.
Good teamwork skills, able to communicate veterinary terminology to laymen at the sanctuary and throughout the organisation.
Knowledge
Demonstrable understanding of surgical nursing, anaesthesia and preventative medicine.
Application of evidence-based veterinary medicine and its use in practice.
Sound knowledge of routine laboratory procedures and use of equipment.
Ability to take a concept or procedure and turn it into a teaching moment.
Shows an understanding of different styles of teaching and when they can be used.
Experience
At least 3 years post qualification experience in general or mixed veterinary practice, zoo medicine or a specialist referral centre where monitoring anaesthesia and procedure set up were key tasks of the role.
Working experience in Asia, preference in Vietnam is a plus.
Experience with elephants, bears or other wildlife is advantageous.
Languages
English.
Vietnamese is a plus.
Education / Qualification
Degree or Diploma (including Cert IV in Australia) in Veterinary Nursing or Veterinary Technology that is recognised by the applicants National or State Veterinary (Nursing) Board or Association.
Continued professional development in clinical veterinary nursing skills and techniques.
How to Apply
Please send a PDF version of your cover letter and CV to: [protected info] or click the link:
[protected info]
To find out more: [protected info]
Animals Asia values candidates with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We welcome applicants of every ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to building an organization that creates an inclusive environment for all.
Using AI During Interviews
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We will take a candidate's agreement to participate in an interview with us as confirmation that they will not use AI tools in any form during the conversation. If it is discovered or reasonably suspected that AI has been used, the interview will be terminated immediately, and the candidate will no longer be considered for the role.
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