New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) (Companion Animal Healthcare)
Allied Health
A course by
SIT
A one-year, hands-on certificate providing essential skills and industry experience to assist veterinarians and veterinary nurses in companion animal clinical settings.
Online study
Flexible online learning from anywhere
Invercargill, Invercargill
It will take a total of 1 year
Core skills this course teaches
Support Vet Healthcare Team
Acquire skills to effectively support veterinarians and veterinary nurses in clinical and caregiving settings for companion animals.
Develop Animal Care Technical Knowledge
Understand foundations of animal anatomy, physiology, nutrition, behaviour, and husbandry.
Practice Infection Control
Apply infection control principles and maintain professionalism in animal care environments.
What You're Signing Up For
Embark on a rewarding journey with this one-year, full-time programme providing practical training and industry experience in animal healthcare. Students gain skills and knowledge to support veterinarians and veterinary nurses, with a curriculum covering animal communication, husbandry, infection control, handling and restraint, clinical effectiveness, and more. Graduates are prepared for immediate support roles or further study in veterinary nursing.
Course Content
- Companion Animal Professionalism and Infection Control
- Companion Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Companion Animal Husbandry and Behaviour
- Companion Animal Practicum 1
- Companion Animal Health and Hygiene
- Companion Animal Clinical Assistance
- Companion Animal Preparation for Practice
- Companion Animal Practicum 2
What you need to know first
40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits (TBC)
Equivalent tertiary study or provider-determined literacy/numeracy equivalence
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Veterinary Services
Animal Care
Future employment opportunities might be
Animal Healthcare Assistant in companion animal practices
Veterinary Practice Assistant