The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing provides comprehensive training in all aspects of veterinary nursing.
You will learn how to provide safe and effective animal care, comply with infection control, assist with surgical and anaesthetic procedures and maintain equipment. You will gain a comprehensive knowledge of workplace safety, general administration, stock control, and veterinary reception as well as to coordinate consulting and theatre routines.
You will also learn how to advise clients about nutrition, animal care, grooming and parasite control products. If you are a veterinary nurse wanting to update your skills you can enroll in individual subjects and complete them on or off-campus.
All applicants must already be employed for a minimum of 15 hours per week as a nurse in veterinary practice. Employment prospects for qualified veterinary nurses in private practice and the animal industry are good.
You may wish to progress into a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing.
You must:
Direct entry - beginning and mid-year entry
Assessment of application
This course is subject to Government subsidy for eligible students. Complete the eligibility survey now to see if you will receive government assistance for this course. If you are not eligible for government subsidy, the full fee will apply.
$15.26 per hour. The first year will typically cost $9,003.40 (full time).If you are an employer seeking training for groups of employees, contact the Institute for a customised package.
Advanced Standing is approved recognition of prior learning that is displayed as an Exemption (EX) on the student’s academic record. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) takes into account the knowledge and skills you’ve already gained through your previous education and work. This may be through formal or informal training, paid or unpaid work experience, and can earn you credit if relevant to your chosen course.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide first aid, life support, casualty management and incident response, until more definitive assistance becomes available.
This unit of competency covers the process of developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing enrichment strategies for companion animals and communicating the strategies to staff members. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the process of effectively participating in workplace communications in an animal care and management environment. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the process of preparing, presenting and distributing food and water for animals under supervision and according to workplace diet requirements. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the process of providing assistance to experienced staff in the capture, restraint and assessment of animals and the preparation, application and documentation of treatments. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the processes required to gather information on medications and services for animals and relate these to individual animal requirements and audience needs. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the process required to comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care workplaces and relevant field locations. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the process of competently and aseptically performing microchip implantation procedures on cats and dogs, with minimum discomfort to the animal, for identification and traceability purposes. Delivery and assessment of this unit must comply with the relevant state or territory legislation and regulations which may stipulate pre-entry requirements to be able to undertake this unit. This unit also requires the use of animals for educational activities and delivery and must comply with the requirements of relevant state or territory legislation. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process required by an employee to contribute to occupational health and safety (OHS) processes where there is responsibility for own work outputs and possibly limited responsibility for the work output of others.
This unit of competency covers the process of compiling patient (animal) and client (animal owner) histories, maintaining records and consulting the veterinarian as required. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit of competency covers the process of treating patients (animals) on a daily basis, maintaining clinic hygiene and assisting with inventory and clinic security. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of assisting with the preparation of patients (animals) and the theatre for surgery, providing pre- and post-operative patient care and cleaning surgical and theatre equipment in a veterinary clinic. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of coordinating patient admission and discharge. It also includes providing initial veterinary nursing care to patients (animals) and grief support to clients (animal owners). Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of implementing and completing imaging routines, in accordance with established industry sequences and clinic policies and procedures, and follow specific instructions from the veterinarian. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of collecting biological samples and performing pathology procedures. The integrity of the sample must be maintained in accordance with veterinarian instructions when conducting clinic examinations and in preparing consignments to diagnostic laboratories. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of maintaining veterinary supplies, controlling stock, maintaining clinic accounts and preparing and processing clinic correspondence. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of preparing the surgical environment and providing total support for the surgeon. The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for, and provide support during and after, routine and non-routine surgical procedures, including monitoring patients while they are under anaesthesia. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of providing high quality nursing care for all patients (animals) treated or housed at the clinic. It includes providing advice to clients (owners), monitoring animals and providing animal first aid as required. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of providing the skills to implement medical nursing routines, including the preparation and handling of patients (animals) and equipment for specific routines. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of preparing, cleaning and maintaining theatre and equipment as well as preparing personnel for the performance of surgical procedures. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of providing advice to clients (owners) about animal care, nutrition, behaviour and products. All advice must be provided in a competent manner and in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the processes of performing a dental prophylaxis and assisting with simple extractions. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of actively participating in the preparation and review of animal care education programs and their implementation within the community at large. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of managing the promotion of the clinic within the community through contact with individuals and mass media activities. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
This unit of competency covers the process of developing and implementing specific clinic policies and communicating them to clinic personnel to ensure the sound management of the business. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.