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New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with Veterinary Nursing Assistant Strand

Close Date: 31 October
International Close Date: Please enquire

Gain the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective part of the veterinary team, assisting veterinarians and veterinary nurses in clinical practice.

Veterinary nursing assistants support and communicate with vets and vet nurses in the care and treatment of companion animals in clinical environments. This can include reception and front-of-house duties, hospitalised animal patient care, assisting with diagnostic sampling and radiography, and first aid. Veterinary nursing assistants also help prepare animals for surgery and assist vets and vet nurses during and after surgery.

Topics this programme covers include animal husbandry; welfare and behaviour; professional behaviour; introduction to surgery, anaesthesia and diagnostics; caring for hospitalised animal patients. Classes include small practical group tutorials, full class discussions and surgical workshops. You’ll also undertake work placements at local animal facilities and veterinary clinics, giving you a variety of hands-on experience in handling and caring for animals in clinical and surgical environments. Your tutors will help you make the most of the opportunities available to you while assisting you to develop your communication skills.

As part of this programme, you’re required to complete a minimum of 200 hours of practical experience at a veterinary clinic and 40 hours in an animal-related facility. Some hours can be undertaken at Ara, but you’ll be expected to source your own external placements.

You’ll be given full training to minimise all programme-specific risks. Examples of risks associated with this programme include: lifting, animal bites and scratches, zoonotic diseases, computers, radiation from x-rays, anaesthetic gases, chemicals and drugs, UV radiation, sharp instruments, electricity, fire and gas cylinders. We recommend that you maintain a current up-to-date tetanus injection to handle any animals as part of this programme.

Please note: As places are limited on this programme we strongly recommend applying as soon as you know you wish to study with us.

Fees for 2024

Domestic Fee
$7,197 - $8,057 per year
Indicative Student Services Fee
$350 per year
Valid To
December 31, 2024

NCEA Level 2 (60 credits) including: 12 English credits at Level 2 and 12 Maths credits at Level 1 and 12 relevant Science credits at Level 1

OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) Ara Animal Management/Veterinary Nursing Pathway

OR New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care Level 3

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

In addition you need to provide a recent curriculum vitae demonstrating previous experience of working with animals and one referee report demonstrating an aptitude for working with the public;

  • for example, a reference from an employer where you have worked with the public (e.g. retail) or from a teacher attesting to social skills.

You need to provide a document outlining why you wish to pursue veterinary nursing as a career and which answers the following questions:

  • Describe what discussions you've had with veterinarians, veterinary nurse assistance, rural animal technicians or other professionals in the veterinary field about choosing this career
  • What do you consider your future role as a Veterinary Nurse will involve?

Due to the practical nature of the programme, you must be able to carry out physical activities within the Animal Room and work placement to fulfill the requirements of the programme.

  • You must also have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal parts, body fluids and cadavers.

Changes to government legislature may require police vetting for registration as a veterinary nurse after qualification. If you consider this may be an issue we recommend you discuss it with a course tutor prior to entry.

  • You can view the New Zealand Police Vetting Service (NZPVS) Request and Consent Form and see further information on the NZ Police Vetting Service on the New Zealand Police website.

You will be required to attend an interview if you meet academic entry

Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?

If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.

Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace.

What if English is not my first Language?

If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.

  • Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
  • If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
  • If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country.
  • IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
  • What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
  • You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.

Overall IELTS 5.5 Academic

  • 5.0 Listening
  • 5.0 Reading
  • 5.0 Writing
  • 5.0 Speaking

A selection process will occur based on application information

Funding assistance

If you face unexpected financial hardship during your studies, we have several funds that you can apply for. These are designed to enable you to continue your current course of study. We also have a wide range of scholarships and awards that can provide financial assistance.

Find out more

Career opportunities

This programme fulfils the educational requirements for you to become a Listed Veterinary Nursing Assistant (LVNA) with the New Zealand Veterinary Nurses Association. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career (here or overseas) in companion animal healthcare, assisting vets and vet nurses in clinical environments. You could also apply your skills in an animal shelter, as an animal health co-ordinator or feline isolation attendant.

Study pathways

As a graduate of this programme you’ll have the academic entry requirements to apply for the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). This can be followed with a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing.

Recommended school subjects

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Mathematics

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with Veterinary Nursing Assistant Strand

FULL-TIME - 1 Year

Gain the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective part of the veterinary team, assisting veterinarians and veterinary nurses in clinical practice.

Information
Type Certificate
Code NZ2490
Application close date 31 October
May be available for Study Visa? Yes
International application close date Please enquire
Credits 120
Level 5
Additional Equipment/Fees $500
May be eligible for Fees Free? Yes
Reference NZ2490-STRU

Fees for 2024

Domestic Fee
$7,197 - $8,057 per year
Indicative Student Services Fee
$350 per year
Valid To
December 31, 2024

Placements or workplace assignments are an integral part of this programme. You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to apply for this programme, but please be aware that some workplaces may require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 before allowing you to complete work at their organisation.

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With an internationally-recognised Ara qualification, the world is your oyster. Our graduates can be found working and making a difference across the globe…

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Additional Entry Requirements

In addition you need to provide a recent curriculum vitae demonstrating previous experience of working with animals and one referee report demonstrating an aptitude for working with the public;

  • for example, a reference from an employer where you have worked with the public (e.g. retail) or from a teacher attesting to social skills.

You need to provide a document outlining why you wish to pursue veterinary nursing as a career and which answers the following questions:

  • Describe what discussions you've had with veterinarians, veterinary nurse assistance, rural animal technicians or other professionals in the veterinary field about choosing this career
  • What do you consider your future role as a Veterinary Nurse will involve?

Due to the practical nature of the programme, you must be able to carry out physical activities within the Animal Room and work placement to fulfill the requirements of the programme.

  • You must also have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal parts, body fluids and cadavers.

Changes to government legislature may require police vetting for registration as a veterinary nurse after qualification. If you consider this may be an issue we recommend you discuss it with a course tutor prior to entry.

  • You can view the New Zealand Police Vetting Service (NZPVS) Request and Consent Form and see further information on the NZ Police Vetting Service on the New Zealand Police website.

You will be required to attend an interview if you meet academic entry

See overview for more

Credit Recognition

If you have prior relevant experience or previous related study credits, you may be eligible for credit recognition towards this qualification.

Find out more

Documents

Area of Interest

Key Information for Students

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