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

This programme is the first step towards becoming a qualified veterinary nurse, and leads into the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. You'll learn how to work alongside veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a clinical environment and enjoy industry-based experience as a major part of this programme. Keen for a one-year course of study? Check out our New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting.

About this programme

Love animals and care about their welfare? Prepare for a career as a Veterinary Nurse.

Become a Veterinary Nursing Assistant educated to the highest professional standards with this practical and theoretical programme.

The animal health industry is vital to the success of New Zealand’s economy and there is always strong demand for qualified Veterinary Nursing Assistants to assist Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses.

This programme will give you the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in companion animal healthcare. It will enable you to work alongside veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a clinical environment as a veterinary nursing assistant and will fulfil education requirements for you to become a listed veterinary nursing assistant (LVNA).

In addition, it will prepare you for entry into the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) where you will gain the skills to become a fully qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).  

Aligned with international standards, this programme has been developed in consultation with veterinarians, veterinary nurses, the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association and our own experienced staff. All of our staff are required to undertake compulsory industry immersion to ensure they can deliver up-to-date, detailed theoretical knowledge of companion animal healthcare and practical skills, including low stress handling techniques.

Don't want to do the two-year diploma pathway?

Check out our one-year, New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4).

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’ll attend regular weekly classes in Dunedin or learn online and attend blocks of classes in the best location near you (locations vary depending on the programme).

This flexible approach means you will enjoy a varied course of learning and be supported by our staff both remotely and in person.

Veterinary Nursing diploma pathway from 2025 

From 2025, we will have a new Veterinary Nursing diploma pathway in place. This will be a two-year programme, rather than a one-year New Zealand Certificate, followed by a one-year New Zealand Diploma. Find out more >

Courses

All eight, 15-credit courses must be completed to gain the qualification.

Course name Credits
Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant 15
Companion Animal Husbandry and Welfare 15
Operate Within The Animal Health and Veterinary Services Interface 15
Routine Diagnostics and Imaging* 15
Essentials of In-patient Care* 15
Routine Surgery and Anaesthesia* 15
Veterinary Nursing Assistant Practicum Part 1 15
Veterinary Nursing Assistant Practicum Part 2* 15

* Courses completed during Year 2, part-time distance.

How you study

On campus, full-time blended delivery option

For this programme, you'll need to: 

  • commit to approximately 35-40 hours per week including work placements
  • attend facilitated sessions on-campus every Monday and Tuesday morning as and when required for tutorial sessions and one-on-one meetings with your Learning Advisor. 
  • undertake directed and self-directed study at home 
  • organise all animal related facility and companion animal veterinary clinic work placements
  • complete a minimum of 240 hours of which a minimum of 40 hours must be in animal related facilities (such as kennels, catteries, SPCA) and a minimum of 200 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics
  • complete and pass your first course, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant, before you can start work placements.
Distance options: full-time (one year) and two years (part-time)

We're a leader in the provision of online 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). 

Help is always on hand through our extensive support systems which include:

  • One-on-one tutor support 
  • IT support. 

Distance, full-time one year option   

For this programme, you'll need to: 

  • commit to approximately 35-40 hours per week including work placements
  • undertake online directed and self-directed study at home and attend weekly online classroom sessions
  • attend induction and orientation online in the first week of the programme
  • attend two, compulsory four-day block courses, at one of the venues offered (this is usually Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland - each venue is dependent on numbers - please enquire with the School for more information). 
  • organise all animal-related facility and companion animal veterinary clinic work placements
  • to complete a minimum of 240 hours of work placement of which a minimum of 40 hours must be in animal related facilities (such as kennels, catteries, SPCA) and a minimum of 200 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics (2)
  • complete and pass your first course, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant, before you can start work placements.

Distance, part-time over two years option

For this programme, over both years, you'll need to: 

  • commit to approximately 15-20 hours per week including work placements
  • undertake online directed and self-directed study at home and attend fortnightly online classroom sessions
  • attend induction and orientation online in the first week of the programme to meet other students, learn how to navigate
  • attend two, compulsory two-day block courses in (approximately) May and September at one of the venues offered (this is usually Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland - each venue is dependent on numbers - please enquire with the School for more information). 
  • organise all animal-related facility and companion animal veterinary clinic work placements
  • complete a minimum of 120 hours of which a minimum of 40 hours must be in animal related facilities (such as kennels, catteries, SPCA) and a minimum of 80 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics
  • complete and pass your first course, Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Assistant, before you can start work placements. 

Your work placements

Both blended on-campus (full-time) and distance learning options (full-time and part-time) require you to undertake industry-based work placements. All work placements must be organised and managed by you. Due to the limited number of veterinary clinics in Dunedin, all Dunedin-based students will likely need to organise some work placement outside of Dunedin, therefore you must be prepared to travel to complete this requirement if necessary. 

You are required to undertake at least 240 hours of work placement - at least 40 hours in animal-related facilities (such as boarding kennels, catteries or your local SPCA) and a minimum of 200 hours in companion animal veterinary clinics while you study.

When approaching veterinary clinics to source veterinary clinic work placements, you will be asked for evidence of completion of the Health and Safety Course (access to this course is provided once you have been offered a place in the programme) and also a copy of your current Criminal Convictions History report.

This report can be obtained free from the Ministry of Justice website

We are part of Te Pūkenga

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.