Vet Nurse - Anaesthesia

at  Massey University

Veterinary Nurse – Companion Animal Hospital
Position Purpose: To provide high quality nursing care and technical support within
the Companion Animal Hospital of the Massey University Veterinary
Teaching Hospital. To assist with all aspects of patient care,
including patient triage and client communication, and to contribute to
the practical and theoretical teaching of veterinary science and veterinary
technology students.
Department: Veterinary Teaching Hospital within the School of Veterinary Science
Location: Palmerston North
Reports to: Group Leader – Professional Staff (Frontline Services or Referral Services)
Responsible for: Nil
Delegations: Nil
Job Title: Veterinary Nurse – Companion Animal Hospital
Key relationships: Internal External
Supervisor (Frontline Services or Clients of the Veterinary Teaching
Referral Services) Hospital
Fellow Veterinary Colleagues Referring Veterinarians
Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields
of research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to
community and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and
skills to advance human knowledge and understanding. Working together
across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems
through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while
culturally and artistically enriching our world.
We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university,
demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New
Zealand as we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our
nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just
as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.
Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our
students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to
achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They
experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and
cultural strengths, expands their horizons and prepares them to
contribute to a rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative
thinking and leadership.
1
We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey
campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart
enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded
on respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what
we do, but by how we do it.
About this area The School of Veterinary Science advances knowledge in animal health
and welfare, biosecurity, conservation and sustainable productivity. We
are a world-leader in our field, working with governments, other
universities, international and national organisations and companies to
improve animal health and production, and human health. We have over
1000 students, 250 staff and 170 research programmes.
This role works within our Companion Animal Hospital Team where you
will be working alongside veterinary professionals, in New Zealand’s only
Veterinary Teaching hospital facility. Massey Vets provides 24/7
Emergency Critical Care for Vet Clinics throughout the wider Manawatu-
Whanganui region. Alongside our Community Practice and Referral
clinics, this leads to both a challenging and extremely
rewarding environment.
Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand

society

• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and

the people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement

with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that
demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University’s health, safety

and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively
supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety
improvement opportunities.
2

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our

students/ stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit

to ongoing personal and professional development

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and

the communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

Accountabilities
General Nursing • Contribute in all aspects of patient care and provide appropriate
assistance to the clinician(s) in the area of the Hospital where you have
been assigned. The area assigned to and/or those tasks assigned will
change according to the needs of the hospital and is at the discretion of

the Group Leaders (Professional Staff).

• Perform high quality nursing care for all clinical cases, including critically

ill and acutely sick in-patients in a professional and efficient manner.

• Perform general nursing activities adeptly to standards expected of a

trained veterinary nurse. These include but are not limited to: patient
handling; performance of routine procedures; administration of
medications; collection and submission of diagnostic samples;
anaesthetic and peri-anaesthetic patient care and monitoring and

patient preparation for surgery

• Ensure that the patient’s basic needs (food, water and exercise), their

comfort and hygiene meet standards expected within a veterinary

hospital.

• Ensure compliance with all appropriate financial transactions.
• Relay veterinary discharge instructions accurately and comprehensively

to clients/other stakeholders at all times

• Ensure hygiene standards are at a high level within the hospital. E.g.

Ensure sharp containers and rubbish bins are not overfull and shelves

are appropriately stocked and tidy.

• Liaise with and assist all other departments as required within

the companion animal hospital to ensure a good quality service for all
patients of Massey University Veterinary Teaching hospital.

3

• To clean and maintain equipment promptly and efficiently according to

protocols.

• Assist with clinical research projects as and when required under the

supervision of the designated academic lead.

• To perform other reasonable duties as directed (eg stocktake, reception

duties).

• Participation in on call roster for out of hours procedures.

Service • To practice effective and respectful communication with both internal

and external stakeholders.

• To service clients professionally and with empathy to their cultural,

emotional and physical state.

• Undertake professional development activities as required

and approved, which are relevant to the position.
Practical Instruction • To provide quality on-the-job tuition, assistance and supervision of
veterinary and veterinary technology undergraduates (within the

bounds of the incumbent’s knowledge and role).

• To adeptly set up equipment and ensure adequate resources are

provided for teaching classes.
Health and Safety • To take reasonable care of one’s own health and safety, and well as
that of others, so that others are not harmed by something they do or

do not do.

• To follow any reasonable instructions given by management, and

comply with any relevant health and safety policies and/or procedures.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: Diploma (or demonstrable equivalent) of Veterinary Nursing or
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology
Experience: Essential:
 Following qualification, one year in companion animal veterinary
practice, consideration will be given to new graduates of BVT or DVN
programmes.
 Experience of the normal physiological parameters (heart rate,
respiratory rate, temperature) of dogs and cats.
 Demonstrated expertise in calculating dose rates, fluid rates, calorie
requirements of dogs and cats.
 Demonstrated expertise in performing a simple physical examination
to the standard deemed appropriate for a Diploma or Bachelor of
Veterinary Technology qualified nurse.
 Experience in successfully monitor and extubate cats and dogs
recovering from anaesthesia.
4
Desirable:
 Following qualification, three or more years in companion animal
veterinary practice.
 One year’s experience in an Emergency or After Hours veterinary
practice.
 Have previous experience with Ezyvet/VetRadar software.
 Handling of horses
Capabilities - Behaviour
Interpersonal Skills  Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with sensitive
Essential situations.
 The ability to relate well to people from a diverse range of cultural
backgrounds.
 Ability to work as part of a team.
Capabilities - Technical
Initiative  Ability to use initiative, work with a minimum of supervision and
Essential to recognise situations where colleagues need assistance and provide
support without having to be asked.
Organisation  Proactive and highly organised.
Essential  Be able to effectively manage more than one task at a time such that
all tasks get completed properly and in a timely fashion.
 Flexibility to cope with multi-tasking and changing circumstances.
Animal Handling  The ability to handle all types of common domestic pets in such a way
Desirable that the level of restraint is appropriate for the purpose and injury is
prevented to animals, handlers and veterinary staff.
Learning  The ability to pick up new skills quickly following essential/core
Desirable training such that extended training is not required.

duties).

• Participation in on call roster for out of hours procedures

bounds of the incumbent’s knowledge and role).

• To adeptly set up equipment and ensure adequate resources ar