New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) (Companion Animal Healthcare) or (Rural Animal Healthcare)
Designed to create a training pathway for those wanting a rewarding career as an Animal Healthcare Assistant, this new programme recognises the role as distinct from a Veterinary Nurse or Veterinary Technician.
Domestic
July
About the programme
The role of an Animal Healthcare Assistant is to support veterinary nurses, veterinarians and rural animal veterinary technicians in veterinary practices.
Designed to create a training pathway for those wanting a rewarding career as an Animal Healthcare Assistant, this new programme recognises the role as distinct from a Veterinary Nurse or Veterinary Technician.
This programme will equip you with the technical knowledge and skills you need to perform this job under broad supervision, including effective teamwork and communication skills.
You'll choose from two focus areas:
- Companion Animal Healthcare - this starts in February.
- Rural Animal Healthcare - this starts in July.
For all focus areas you will be required to complete 240 hours of work placement
How you'll learn
This programme is delivered through what we call a ‘flexible facilitated’ format, which is a combination of online and in-person teaching, combined with a work placement.
You will study online and attend compulsory block courses in Dunedin.
This flexible approach means you will enjoy a varied course of learning and be supported by our staff both remotely and in person.
Keen for further study?
Following graduation, you could study our two-year New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing to widen your career opportunities.
What You Study
What you'll study
We're a leader in the provision of online animal health education. You'll learn via online facilitated teaching sessions and discussion forums, as well as having access to online course resources and activities (written, audio and video).
- Companion Animal Healthcare
- Rural Animal Healthcare
For all focus areas you will be required to complete 240 hours of work placement.
| Companion Animal Focus Area | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credits |
| Companion Animal Professionalism And Infection Control | 15 |
| Companion Animal Anatomy And Physiology | 15 |
| Introduction To Companion Animal Husbandry And Behaviour | 15 |
| Companion Animal Practicum 1 | 15 |
| Companion Animal Health And Hygiene | 15 |
| Companion Animal Clinical Assistance | 15 |
| Companion Animal Preparation For Practice | 15 |
| Companion Animal Practicum 2 | 15 |
| Rural Animal Focus Area | |
|---|---|
| Course | Credits |
| Rural Animal Professionalism and Infection Control | 15 |
| Rural Animal Anatomy and Physiology | 15 |
| Rural Animal Husbandry and Behaviour | 15 |
| Rural Animal Practicum 1 | 15 |
| Rural Animal Health and Hygiene | 15 |
| Rural Animal Clinical Assistance | 15 |
| Rural Animal Preparation for Practice | 15 |
| Rural Animal Practicum 2 | 15 |
Workload
Your workload
All study is highly-structured, guided and self-directed and you will need to have good time management skills.
As a part-time student, you should typically aim for around 17-20 hours of study per week. A full-time student should typically aim for around 35-40 hours of study per week including work experience.
You will be required to engage with the online resources and activities, and complete assessments and work placements.
Your work placements
You’ll need to complete a minimum of 240 hours of supervised work experience. This is equivalent to around one day per week. 80 hours of this must be in a veterinary clinic setting, the other 160 hours can be completed at other animal facilities/farms. You will need to get experience with cattle and sheep.
These work placements must be sourced and managed by you.
You’ll need to organise access to animal-related workplaces such as farms, and later in veterinary clinics.
Our suggestion is that you source a placement that gives you opportunities with cattle and sheep management and then complete the remaining hours in a veterinary clinic later in the year.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 1 including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits, or
- A relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above, or
- A recognised equivalent.
- You must complete a health declaration and declaration of any criminal convictions to ensure fitness to practice prior to acceptance into the programme. Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
English Language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance, OR
- Overall academic or general IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Please note: This programme is not available to international students.
Selection process
Once your application is complete we will let you know whether you have been accepted via your application portal. All enrolments will be contingent on your Criminal Convictions History.
Convictions of any kind may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.
Fees
Domestic fees
Additional costs
- Compulsory shirt - $40 (approx.)
- Compulsory name badge - $15 (pin-back) or $18.50 (magnetic)
- Photocopy and printing costs for personal work and assessments
- Travel, accommodation (if required) and food costs associated with attendance at animal facility
work placements - Health and Safety require closed-in shoes
- You will also need access to a digital camera and a video camera/phone that can record video
footage.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Application
Applying online and choosing your focus
When you click the blue apply button on the page, you'll be taken to our online application form.
Here you'll be able to select whether you want to apply for the Companion Animals focus or the Rural Animals focus.
If you have any questions about which focus you should choose, please email animalhealth@op.ac.nz
