AREC are excited to offer an opportunity for a motivated nurse to join our Ophthalmology Service and be part of a highly skilled, collaborative referral team.
About Us:
AREC is a privately owned, ASAV-accredited referral and emergency hospital providing advanced surgical, emergency and critical care services. Our nursing team plays a central role in peri-operative care, anaesthesia, patient monitoring, and recovery, working closely within a multidisciplinary environment.
Our mission is to provide peace of mind - for both pet owners in the Hunter region and referring veterinary clinics – through compassionate, reliable, and high-quality referral and after-hours care.
The Role:
We are seeking a veterinary nurse to support the delivery of specialist ophthalmology services at AREC. The ophthalmology service operates two and half days per week (Wednesday, Thursday and half day Friday), providing both consulting and surgical ophthalmology care.
This role offers variety across customer service, clinical nursing, anaesthesia and surgical support, and is well suited to nurses with an interest in referral-level ophthalmology and specialist practice.
You will work closely with the Ophthalmology service and the wider AREC team to deliver exceptional patient care and a positive client experience.
Your Duties & Responsibilities:
Customer Service
* Assist with outpatient consultations including patient restraint and client education
* Manage medical records, invoicing, payments and patient discharges
* Communicate clearly, professionally and compassionately with clients
Clinical Nursing
* Provide high quality nursing care for ophthalmology patients
* Dispense and administer medications as prescribed
* Perform pathology testing and assist with diagnostic procedures
* Undertake animal husbandry duties to ensure patient comfort and wellbeing
Anaesthetic and Surgical Nursing
* Assist with development of anaesthetic plans and provide advanced anaesthetic monitoring
* Prepare patients, equipment and surgical theatres for ophthalmic procedures
* Provide surgical assistance during ophthalmology surgeries
* Monitor and support patients during recovery
* Maintain surgical equipment and ensure theatre cleanliness and readiness
Professional Collaboration
* Work collaboratively within the Ophthalmology service and broader referral team
* Demonstrate initiative and a willingness to learn ophthalmology-specific skills
* Maintain flexibility to support scheduled referral service days
* Work collaboratively with other referral departments, including Surgery, Rehab, and Emergency and Critical Care, to ensure comprehensive patient care
* Engage with the Customer Service Team to facilitate smooth client communication and support
Your Skills & Experience:
The successful applicant will demonstrate:
* Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent recognised qualification)
* Current membership or eligibility for membership with the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia or a similar professional body
* Experience in veterinary nursing, with exposure to or a strong interest in referral and specialist practice
* Experience or interest in anaesthesia, critical care and patient monitoring
* Well developed time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to adapt in fast paced clinical settings
* Strong communication and collaboration skills when working as part of a multidisciplinary team, including specialist veterinarians and referring clinics
* Sound organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple cases, with guidance and support from senior team members when required
* A genuine passion for delivering high quality clinical care and providing an excellent experience for clients and patients
AREC can offer:
* On the job training within a referral environment
* Opportunities for skill development across surgery, emergency and critical care
* Continuing Education Allowance and access to employer-funded benefits including memberships and registrations to professional organisations for eligible employees
* Competitive remuneration
* Novated leasing options and participation in our Employee Share Option Scheme (ESOS) for eligible employees.
* An engaged and committed leadership team that encourages growth and recognises positive contributions and feedback from the team
* Employee Assistance Program and Wellness Committee
* A modern workplace with in-house pathology and advanced imaging
Contact:
Sally Groen –
How to Apply:
If you are keen to be a part of a highly compassionate and hard-working team of healthcare professionals, we would love to hear from you. Please apply by completing the CV Submission form below.
AREC foster diversity and inclusion within the organization to create an environment where all individuals are valued and included.
Note: All short-listed applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment check to verify their identity, qualifications and experience in the form of a reference check.
Learn more about us:
View our videos and photos via the below links:
* Living in Newcastle; Working at AREC -
* Is Lifestyle the Missing Piece of your Career? -
* Animal Referral and Emergency Centre )