Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Surgical) 
 

 
Traineeship
National Code
RUV50204 
CRICOS Code:  
Centre:
Biotechnology and Animal Sciences
Location:
Elgar Campus
Study Area: Animal Studies; 
Study Area Sub Category: Veterinary Nursing 
Career Card:
Veterinary Nurse 

What does this course involve?

This course will provide you with comprehensive training in veterinary surgical nursing.

You will develop extensive skills in managing nursing requirements for specialised surgical procedures including preparing theatre, monitor anaesthesia and assist with intra-operative surgical procedures.

You will also learn how to maintain and clean surgical equipment and administer fluid and nutritional therapy.

This course will also teach you how to monitor wounds and surgical sites, and provide advice to clients on discharge procedures.

What employment opportunities will I have?

This course may allow you to advance your career in veterinary surgical nursing.
As a student, the Institute’s Employment Service is your first port of call for advice on gaining employment in this field, and can be contacted on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).

Accreditation

This course is Government accredited and has National recognition.

What further study options will I have?

You may wish to progress into related courses at higher education providers.

Can I apply?

You must:
  • have successfully completed Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
  • be employed in a veterinary clinic which has a specialist veterinary surgeon to conduct specialised surgical procedures that involve your participation
  • supply evidence of your current tetanus vaccination.

How do I apply?

Direct Entry - Rolling enrolments
If you have any queries, please contact the Institute on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).

How will I be selected for this course?

  • Individual interview
  • Assessment of application

Length of course

Part time - 18 months on the job training

Where will I study?

Elgar Campus

What costs and other fees should I expect?

For this course, there are two fee structures. Visit the Government Subsidised Place Eligibility page to see if you are eligible for a Government subsidised place.

Government Subsidised Fees

  1. Tuition Fee - $4.33 per hour (max $2,500.00)
  2. Service and Amenities Fee - $65.00 or 90.00
  3. Material Fees - contact the Institute

For a breakdown of unit prices, view the 2012 Fee Schedule.

You may be eligible for VET FEE-HELP (an Australian Government loan scheme).

Fee For Service Fees

Fee for Service - this course will cost $10,592.00 if you aren't eligible for government subsidised training.

If you are an employer seeking training for groups of employees, contact the Institute for a customised package.

How will I be assessed?

  • Written assessment
  • Practical assessment
  • Project work
  • Online Assessment
  • Workplace Assessment

Will my previous experience or study count?

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.

 
Units of Competency

Core
RUV5601A
Manage Nursing Requirements For Specialised Surgical Procedures
180.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of conducting admissions for specialised surgical procedures, preparing the theatre environment, performing specific preoperative procedures, monitoring anaesthesia (including advanced), providing intraoperative support to surgeons and managing equipment cleaning and maintenance. Examples of specialised surgical procedures include intrathoracic, internal fixation, external fixation, soft tissue, ophthalmic, skin grafting, oncological surgery and advanced corrective orthopaedics. This unit is specifically designed for nurses who work in a veterinary clinic or hospital where registered specialists perform specialised surgical procedures.
RUV5602A
Carry Out Post Operative Nursing Routines
60.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of maintaining patient fluid therapy and nutritional requirements, monitoring wounds or surgical sites postoperatively, monitoring patients including recumbent patients postoperatively, and discharging patients that have undergone specialised surgical procedures into the care of clients. Examples of specialised surgical procedures include intrathoracic, internal fixation, external fixation, soft tissue, ophthalmic, skin grafting, oncological surgery and advanced corrective orthopaedics. This unit is specifically designed for nurses who work in a veterinary clinic or hospital where registered specialists are performing specialised surgical procedures.
Prerequisite (core units from Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)
RUV4601A
Coordinate Patient Admission And Discharge
40.00 hr
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). In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4602A
Apply Radiographic Routines
70.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of completing radiographic routines (in accordance with established industry sequences and clinic policies and procedures) and follow specific instructions from the veterinarian. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to perform processes requiring a range of well-developed skills where some discretion and judgement is required. One would be expected to interpret available information, take responsibility for one's own outputs and take limited responsibility for the output of others.
RUV4603A
Perform Clinic Pathology Procedures
70.00 hr
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. All tasks are completed according to clinic policies and procedures and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4604A
Perform Clinic Office Procedures
30.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of maintaining veterinary supplies, controlling stock, maintaining clinic accounts and preparing and processing clinic correspondence. It requires knowledge of basic bookkeeping methods and principles as well as a thorough understanding of clinic security measures for the storage of veterinary medicines. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to perform processes requiring a range of well-developed skills where some discretion and judgement is required. One would be expected to interpret available information, take responsibility for one's own outputs and take limited responsibility for the output of others.
RUV4605A
Carry Out Surgical Nursing Routines
80.00 hr
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, surgical procedures including monitoring patients while they are under anaesthesia. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4606A
Nurse Animals
80.00 hr
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. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4607A
Carry Out Medical Nursing Routines
30.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of providing the individual with the skills to implement medical nursing routines including the preparation and handling of patients (animals) and equipment for specific routines. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4608A
Coordinate And Perform Theatre Routines
40.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of providing the individual with the skills to prepare, clean and maintain theatre and equipment and prepare personnel for the performance of surgical procedures. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4609A
Provide Specific Animal Care Advice
120.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of providing advice to clients (owners) about animal care, nutrition, behaviour and products. All advice will be provided in a competent manner and in accordance with clinic policies and procedures. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
RUV4610A
Carry Out Veterinary Dental Nursing Procedures
40.00 hr
This unit of competency covers the process of performing an oral examination, completing a dental chart and performing dental prophylaxis and extraction safely and effectively. All procedures are carried out in consultation with the surgeon and in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to develop an empathetic understanding of animals in their care, so that stress and discomfort can be minimised. The work functions in this unit involve the identification and application of knowledge and skills to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas. One would be expected to identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources, take responsibility for one's own outputs and have limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others.
All fees quoted are indicative fees and are correct at the time of publishing. In subsequent calendar years, fees may be subject to a small increase in line with annual Institute fee pricing reviews. This qualification may have prerequisites, co-requisite or bridging units from lower or higher level qualifications. An offer of a place is always subject to places being available. The Institute reserves the right to close applications when the course is full. Where minimum course numbers are not met, the course may be cancelled at short notice. In such instances and only when possible, an alternative option may be suggested for accredited courses. For further clarification please seek advice from the Institute.

Course Enquiries

Local Students
1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445)

International Students
+61 3 9286 9425

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