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

Provide assistance to a veterinary team, maintain health and husbandry of animals, care for hospitalised patients, contribute in surgery preparation and anesthesia and assist with diagnostic procedures.

You will gain knowledge and practical skills in animal health and husbandry at EIT’s purpose-built animal handling and housing facilities.  The simulated surgical suite will provide you with opportunities to learn surgical and anaesthesia preparation and diagnostic procedures.

You will also spend time in veterinary clinics around Hawke’s Bay and beyond, gaining valuable practical skills needed to become a veterinary nursing assistant.

Graduates of the NZ Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant) Strand Level 5 will be able to provide assistance to veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a veterinary clinic and perform some tasks independently.

They will also be able to:

• Maintain health and husbandry of animals in a veterinary clinic
• Care for hospitalised patients
• Assist in surgery preparation and anaesthesia
• Assist with routine diagnostic procedures.

Subject areas:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Animal handling
• Behaviour and nutrition
• Welfare and well being of animal patients
• Surgery and diagnostics
• Anaesthetic and analgesia monitoring
• Medical nursing
• Reception
• Client interaction

Come in and have a chat about your study options with the staff at our Hawke’s Bay campus. Or, simply give us a call on 0800 22 55 348. And you’re most welcome to visit EIT to view our facilities at any time.

On successful completion of this Certificate, graduates may choose to seek employment in the following areas:

• Veterinary Nurse Assistant
• Medical/Veterinary Sales Representative
• Nutritional representative
• Animal Welfare Officer
• Animal Technician
• Further study eg. the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

NCEA level 2 including:

Relevant animal care qualification including National Certificate in Animal Care (Level 2) or

Skills for tertiary study (including literacy and numeracy) may be acquired through study, work and/ or life experience. Students who can demonstrate these skills may be approved for alternative entry.

Other requirements

Curriculum Vitae: Applicants are to provide a recent curriculum vitae including contact details for two referees.

Veterinary clinic observation requirement: applicants are required to have completed a minimum of three days observing in a veterinary clinic. This may be demonstrated by information in the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, or a separate written attestation. A referee upon being contacted by EIT must be able to verify this experience.

Animal handling experience requirement: applicants are required to have previous experience working with animals including a minimum of 10 days with businesses such as SPCA, kennels, catteries or pet shops. This may be demonstrated by information in the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, or a separate written attestation.  A referee upon being contacted by EIT must be able to verify this experience.  If this experience cannot be verified, the applicant will be required to complete the EIT animal handling bridging course.

Practical requirements: students must be able to carry out physical activities within the Animal Room and work placement to fulfil the requirements of the programme. Students must also have no objection to working with animals, dissection of animal body parts, body fluids and cadavers. EIT reserves the right to decline entry to the programme should an applicant’s physical ability or inability to work in this environment prevent them carrying out practical activities required to fulfil the requirements of the programme. These practical requirements will be discussed and confirmed during the information session.

Good character requirement

Interview: applicants who meet entry requirements will be required to attend an interview to discuss information about the programme and communicate expectations regarding the programme.

Applicants who meet all entry requirements will be selected in order of application.

English language entry requirement

Applicants must have an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to enrolment in the programme. This may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including schooling in New Zealand, successful study of a programme in which English was the language of instruction, completion of a New Zealand Certificate in English Language, approved scores on IELTS tests or completion of accepted international equivalents. Specific scores for IELTS and New Zealand Certificates in English Language are as follows:

For acceptable alternatives refer to the English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.

Bridging Course

A Bridging course is available for those applicants who do not have adequate animal handling experience. The course will be run over one week prior to the programme commencing and will introduce applicants to basic animal handling skills required to successfully complete the programme.

Entry With Credit

You may already have some knowledge or skills that can be recognised as part of your intended study. This may take a number of different forms including study at a private training establishment, workplace training, other tertiary study, life experiences or voluntary work. If you think you may qualify, you may want to apply for Cross Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning.

Cross Credit is based on the equivalency of courses or qualifications. You would apply for Cross Credit if you have passed a very similar course at the same level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is based on the assessment of your current knowledge and skills. You would apply for RPL if you had gained the relevant knowledge and skills through life experiences and informal learning situations.

You will be asked to provide details of anything that you would like considered as credit toward your intended programme of study, as part of your application.

RPL and Cross Credit cannot be awarded for a course if you are enrolled in that course. You must apply prior to enrolment.

Overall RPL Credit Limit 50%

For further information and enquiries about RPL and Cross Credit please contact, Hafiz Bakri, Programme Co-ordinator, (06) 830 1954.

The Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) offers you over 160 qualifications from certificate and diploma, to degree and postgraduate level at campuses in Hawke's Bay, Tairāwhiti (Gisborne) and Auckland.

Or learn at one of our Regional Learning Centres situated in Hastings, Maraenui, Ruatoria, Waipukurau and Wairoa.

EIT Hawke's Bay is one of New Zealand's most attractive campuses with superb architecture and shaded outdoor areas for study on warm days. EIT Tairāwhiti two campuses are located in the heart of Gisborne, near the Taruheru River, and you can get more central than EIT Auckland location on Queen Street!

When you choose to study at EIT you'll get the kind of experiences that will help you gain the knowledge and skills to get ahead, whether you want to break into your chosen career or change direction in life.