Certificate in Avian Wildlife Healthcare (Veterinarian) (Level 7)

If you are a qualified Veterinarian who is being presented with sick or injured avian wildlife, this programme will give you the skills to administer medicine and/or surgery. You will graduate with the ability to provide optimal standards of welfare and outcomes for avian wildlife patients, plan and manage anesthesia, manage medical diseases, and perform diagnostics and surgical procedures on avian wildlife patients.

Domestic

Duration
1 Year Part-time
Level
7
Credits
40
Fees
$2,305*
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
Online with block course(s)
Intakes
July

International

Duration
1 Year Part-time
Level
7
Credits
40
Fees
$8,333*
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
Online with block course(s)
Intakes
July

What You Study

Courses

You’ll do five foundational, compulsory courses, totalling 40 credits. 

Course Name Description Credits
Course 1  Avian Wildlife: Health Introduction and Triage for Veterinarians

Learn how to provide species appropriate husbandry under the appropriate legal and ethical frameworks and to determine initial diagnostic and supportive care requirements for avian wildlife.

> Interpret legal and ethical frameworks in relation to avian wildlife healthcare.

> Apply knowledge of anatomical and physiological features, nutritional ecology and husbandry to veterinary clinical practice in a range of avian wildlife species.

> Plan veterinary care for the supportive care of avian wildlife patients.

8

Course 2 Avian Wildlife: Anaesthesia

Learn how to safely and effectively anaesthetise avian wildlife patients.

> Create a plan to safely anaesthetise and effectively monitor avian wildlife patients. 

17
Course 3 Avian Wildlife: Wildlife Hospital Practicum for Veterinarians

Demonstrate and reflect on the common clinical procedures, diagnostic imaging and surgery techniques required to be carried out in hospitalised avian wildlife patients.

> Perform common clinical and surgical procedures undertaken by veterinarians for hospitalised avian wildlife patients.

> Perform radiographic and endoscopic procedures for diagnosis in a clinical environment for avian wildlife patients. 

> Critically reflect on development of clinical skills in the avian wildlife context. 

9
Course 4 Avian Wildlife: Diagnostic Imaging and Surgery 

Utilise diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques effectively in avian wildlife patients. 

> Evaluate the application of a range of diagnostic imaging methods for avian wildlife species. 

> Evaluate the application of common soft tissue surgical procedures for avian wildlife patients. 

> Evaluate common orthopaedic surgical procedures for avian wildlife patients. 

8
Course 5 Avian Wildlife: Diseases and Clinical Pathology

Effectively manage avian wildlife diseases. 

> Plan the diagnosis, treatment and management of a range of avian wildlife diseases. 

> Evaluate haematological, biochemical and cytological responses to physiological and pathological conditions for avian wildlife patients. 

> Evaluate post-mortem procedures for avian wildlife species.

 

8

 

Practical placement

A five-day practical placement will be held sometime during November to February to coincide with the busy season. This will give you a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills. 

A surgical practicum in Dunedin will be arranged once class numbers are ascertained for the surgical elective. 

Please note: This session will be coordinated by you and your tutor as only one to two students can be accommodated at one time. This will ensure the best experience for each student. 

Workload

Your workload

All of your study is highly-structured, guided and self-directed and you will need to have good time management skills. You should typically aim for around 12.5 hours of study per week. You’ll be required to engage with the online resources and activities, and complete assessments and the practical placement. 

Entry

Entry requirements 

You must have the following:

  • A Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Level 7) or equivalent.
  • Registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand.
English Language requirements

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes

Prior learning

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at vetnursing@op.ac.nz. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.  

Selection process

If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in order of application. 

Fees

Domestic fees

Full tuition
Standard
$2,305

International fees

Full tuition
Standard
$8,333

Student loans and allowances

Please note that students studying this programme are not eligible for student loans and allowances. 

Additional costs

> Photocopy and printing costs for personal work and assessments.

> Travel, accommodation (if required) and food costs associated with attendance at animal facility work placements. 

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Application

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz