The posting
Job Description
Head Veterinary Nurse (Full-Time) | Greencross Vets Ballarat | Ballarat, VIC
Lead with Compassion. Inspire Your Team. Help Shape the Future of Our Clinic.
Greencross Vets Ballarat is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team and play a key role in the ongoing success of our clinic.
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident senior nurse who enjoys mentoring others, driving high clinical standards, building a strong team culture, and fostering accountability, all while remaining hands-on in veterinary nursing.
If you're looking for a leadership role where your ideas are valued, your team is genuinely supportive, and your nursing and leadership skills are utilised every day, we'd love to hear from you.
A Clinic with Heart, Humour, and Genuine Team Spirit
At Greencross Ballarat, you won't feel like just another employee.
We're a collaborative, close-knit team that genuinely cares about each other, our patients, and our clients. We support one another through the busy days, celebrate our successes together, and firmly believe that a positive workplace culture is just as important as exceptional patient care.
Our nurses are highly valued members of the team and are trusted to take an active role in patient care, client communication, and clinic operations. We advocate for continuous learning, encourage professional development, and strive to deliver the highest standard of veterinary medicine possible.
We're also known for our kindness, compassion, good food, and healthy sense of humour.
About Our Clinic
Located just 75 minutes west of Melbourne, our clinic operates from a charming historic building dating back to Ballarat's gold rush era.
Recently renovated and thoughtfully designed, our hospital combines modern veterinary medicine with a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Our facilities include:
- Full surgical suite
- Multiparameter anaesthetic monitoring
- Electrocautery and suction
- iM3 dental unit with digital dental radiography
- Digital radiography
- Tonometry
- Ultrasound
- Dedicated dog and cat wards
We're a growing small animal practice with a large and loyal client base and a fantastic reputation within the local community.
About the Role
As Head Veterinary Nurse, you'll be a steady, dependable presence who is always thinking one step ahead. You'll lead by example, support your team, and help ensure the clinic operates smoothly and efficiently every day.
Beyond the clinical aspects of the role, you'll be instrumental in creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, accountable, and motivated to do their best work. You'll play a key role in maintaining the positive culture we are known for while ensuring high standards, clear expectations, and continuous development across the nursing team.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing and supporting the veterinary nursing team
- Mentoring, training, and developing nurses across all experience levels
- Building and maintaining a positive, engaged, and accountable team culture
- Identifying and implementing initiatives that support team wellbeing, morale, recognition, and engagement
- Leading by example and fostering a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement
- Identifying performance concerns and working alongside the Practice Manager to implement appropriate coaching, development plans, and accountability measures
- Supporting a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across the nursing team
- Supporting veterinarians in consultations, treatments, and procedures
- Undertaking surgical nursing, pathology, hospital nursing, and team-based consulting
- Providing emergency and critical care nursing support when required
- Supporting workflow management and operational efficiency
- Assisting with administrative and reception duties when required
- Handling client enquiries professionally in person, by phone, and via email
- Coordinating equipment maintenance and repairs alongside the Practice Manager
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes and clinic performance
This role offers the ideal combination of leadership, mentorship, culture-building, and hands-on nursing.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Holds a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
- Has a minimum of 3+ years of clinical veterinary nursing experience
- Has previous leadership, mentoring, or senior nursing experience, or is ready to step into a leadership role
- Enjoys coaching and developing other nurses
- Is passionate about building a positive, engaged team culture
- Can balance empathy and support with accountability and high standards
- Enjoys recognising and celebrating team achievements
- Is confident having coaching and performance conversations when required
- Has strong surgical nursing and anaesthetic monitoring skills
- Demonstrates excellent organisational and time-management abilities
- Is calm, friendly, empathetic, and professional
- Has strong communication and customer service skills
- Leads with positivity, professionalism, and a solutions-focused mindset
- Has experience with RxWorks (desirable but not essential)
Most importantly, you're someone who enjoys helping others succeed and wants to be part of a clinic where teamwork, client relationships, and patient care are genuinely valued.
We're looking for a leader who understands that great clinics are built by great teams, and who is passionate about creating a culture where people are supported, challenged, recognised, and inspired to deliver exceptional care every day.
Why Ballarat?
Often described as "Mini Melbourne", Ballarat offers all the culture, cafés, restaurants, and amenities of a vibrant city without the congestion or metropolitan price tag.
Living and working in Ballarat means enjoying:
- A thriving food and café scene
- Beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces
- Affordable housing and lifestyle options
- Excellent schools and family-friendly communities
- A rich arts, culture, and history scene
- Easy access to Melbourne by road or rail
- Proximity to Geelong, the Surf Coast, and the Great Ocean Road
It's the ideal place to build a rewarding veterinary career while enjoying a fantastic quality of life.
Why Join Greencross?
As part of Australia's leading veterinary care network, you'll have access to a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development, and career growth, including:
- Ongoing continuing education and professional development opportunities
- Access to VetEducation, VetWebinars, LinkedIn Learning, and other learning platforms
- Annual Greencross Clinical & Leadership Conference
- Career progression opportunities across a national network of clinics and hospitals
- Access to a broad community of veterinary professionals
- Staff discounts on veterinary services and products, including Royal Canin
- Petbarn retail discounts
- Access to Fitness Passport
- Access to Pounce employee discounts across travel, retail, fuel, entertainment, and more
- Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Mental health and wellbeing support programs
- A genuine commitment to work-life balance
Apply Today
If you're an experienced Veterinary Nurse looking to take the next step in your career and lead a supportive, dedicated team, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Greencross Ballarat and help create an environment where exceptional patient care, strong team culture, accountability, and professional growth thrive every day. 🐾
