Casual Vet Nurse - Palmerston North

Animates Vetcare NZ is seeking a casual vet nurse to join its Palmerston North team. The role spans three local clinics, two standalone practices and one co-located site, onsite on Pitama Rd. The clinics sit near the Manawatu river with a range of lunch options nearby, and the group prides itself on a collaborative, welcoming culture with high standards of patient care. All three clinics offer in-house blood testing and dental x-rays, and the Rangitikei Street clinic has a clinician with a special interest in orthopaedics, enabling a broad range of routine procedures across the network.

This position suits someone who cares deeply about animals and people, enjoys variety, and wants to grow within a national clinical group. The team is supported by a central group of experienced veterinary professionals, and the culture is described as friendly and supportive. Animates is Rainbow Tick Certified and is recognised at Gold level in the Mental Health First Aid Workplace Recognition Programme, reflecting their commitment to wellbeing and inclusive practice.

If you’re ready to bring your skills to a place where your love for animals can shine, this could be the right next step for you.

A day in the life across the Palmerston North clinics

As a casual vet nurse, you’ll back up veterinarians across the clinical and surgical spectrum, providing nursing care, assisting with procedures, and helping with patient monitoring through the day. You’ll handle routine tasks, support with in-house blood work and imaging when needed, and contribute to maintaining smooth clinic operations across the three sites. You may work at any of the Palmerston North locations, so flexibility and teamwork matter as you move between clinics within the network.

You’ll be part of a team that values patient comfort and client service, with the chance to learn from experienced nurses and clinicians. The clinics are equipped with ultrasound and other modern tools, and you’ll have access to central support to help you deliver high-quality care on a daily basis.

What you’ll need to join the team

• A recognised Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or an equivalent qualification
• At least one year of hands-on veterinary nursing experience, with competence in both clinical tasks and basic surgical support
• Customer service experience and the ability to work well in a team
• Computer literacy and a willingness to learn new practice software
• A genuine passion for the veterinary field and high standards of patient care

Nice-to-haves that could help you hit the ground running

• Familiarity with ultrasound or dental imaging would be useful
• Experience using practice management software or other digital records systems
• Comfort working across multiple clinics and a flexible schedule
• Interest in orthopaedics or related special interests at the Rangitikei Street site

Pay, benefits and practical details

Highlights include flexible working hours and a central support team of experienced veterinary professionals. The three Palmerston North clinics offer advanced equipment, including ultrasound, and the role sits within a supportive local team and a larger national clinical group. The position is onsite at Pitama Rd, with a welcoming environment and opportunities to develop across the network.

Three tips to help you apply for this casual vet nurse role

Lead with your qualification and your year (or more) of hands-on nursing experience, and make sure that clinical and surgical duties you’re comfortable with are clear on your resume.

Back up your claims with a concrete example of how you’ve supported patient care and collaborated with a team in a busy clinic, so the panel can see how you contribute in real situations.

Be prepared to discuss your comfort with computer systems and any experience you have with ultrasound or dental imaging, since the clinics use digital records and advanced equipment.

Ask about how shifts across the three sites are structured and whether there are opportunities tied to the orthopaedics focus at Rangitikei Street, to understand how you might fit into the clinic network.