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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:

1. Companion Animal Healthcare - this starts in February.
2. Rural Animal Healthcare - this starts in July.

An Equine Healthcare focus may also be available at a later date. 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 ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Diploma in Veterinary Nursing to widen your career opportunities.

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: 

• ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ 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 (Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌý).

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.