New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting - Equine strand

This programme is intended for people who wish to develop the skills and knowledge to work as an equine healthcare assistant, or who wish to further their knowledge in this field.

Methods of Delivery

Classroom lectures, practical tuition, practicum/work experience in a suitable animal healthcare environment, and in a clinical veterinary practice, self-directed learning.

Blended option will have most of the theory as self-directed learning with block courses at NTA or other suitable venues for specific practical assessments.  Learners will have regular access to tutors online - eg via Teams, Zoom etc.  Learners will work with an equine veterinary practice of their choice for Work Experience,  and tutors will be in regular contact to check on progress.

Assessment

Competency based assessment. NTA modules are assessed against the module learning outcomes.
Assessment must include a range of life stages, and a variety of breeds and uses of equine.

Compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and codes of practice, including – Veterinarian’s Act 2005, Animal Welfare Act 1999, Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Resource Management Act 1991, Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997, and the Privacy Act 2020, as well as ESNZ General Regulations and NZPCA General Regulations, applies across all outcomes.

Strategic Purpose Statement

The New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) Equine Healthcare strand is intended to provide the animal healthcare sector with graduates who have technical knowledge and skills to assist in the provision of healthcare for animal patients, working in collaboration with clients and multidisciplinary animal healthcare teams, and following protocols in all aspects of clinical veterinary practice or animal healthcare settings.

Graduates of the NTA programme will have the technical knowledge and skills to assist veterinarians and veterinary nurses in a clinical veterinary setting. They will be capable of working under broad supervision, or guidance within their scope of practice, in a wide range of dynamic and often unpredictable situations.

The qualification is stranded to recognise the specialist skills required for providing healthcare assisting to either companion animal, equine, or rural animal veterinary practice. This NTA programme will focus on the healthcare assisting skills and knowledge required for the Equine Healthcare.  NTA also offers the Rural Animal Healthcare strands.

There are no other qualifications embedded in this programme.

Graduates of the NTA programme will be eligible to apply for registration on the New Zealand Register of Animal Healthcare Assistants.

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Graduate Profile

A graduate of the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) Equine Healthcare - will be able to;

  • Apply knowledge of professional and ethical standards, compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, record keeping, and waste control for animal care and welfare to the provision of care for animals
  • Apply critical thinking to the delivery of effective clinical practice, quality improvement processes, and animal patient centred care.
  • Apply knowledge of teamwork and effective communication to manage interpersonal relationships and customer service in the animal healthcare environment.
  • Apply knowledge of equine species requirements, husbandry, and behaviour to, house, groom, and feed hospitalised equine patients.
  • Apply knowledge of behaviour and welfare to effectively handle and restrain equine patients with minimum stress.
  • Apply knowledge of hygiene and infection control to prepare, maintain and clean the equine healthcare environment.
  • Apply knowledge of animal health to monitor and provide supportive care to equine patients.
  • Assist with common clinical procedures for equine patients.
  • Apply knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology to provide care for equines and carry out clinical tasks.
  • Apply basic first aid, and emergency processes for equine patients in emergency or simulated emergency situations.

Education Pathways

This qualification may lead to:

  • New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) [Ref: 4389]
  • New Zealand Diploma in Animal Healthcare Technology (Level 6) with strands in Equine Rehabilitation Technology and Equine Dental Technology [Ref: 4390]

Employment Pathway

Graduates will be able to work as an Equine Healthcare Assistant in an animal healthcare environment.

Graduates will have the skills and technical knowledge to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a clinical veterinary setting in an equine practice, or out in the field.

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Entry Criteria

Brief Entry Requirements

Prospective students may have an interview prior to acceptance into this programme.

Prospective students must have the physical capability to cope with the practical demands of this programme and demonstrate a commitment to meet the attendance and academic conditions of the programme.

Prospective students will be expected to work with a variety of equine species at different life stages.

Prospective students are required to complete both a health declaration and a criminal conviction disclosure to confirm their suitability for working with animals.

Domestic Students:

To be admitted to the programme applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of the programme.
  • 40 credits at NCEA level 1, including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits, or a recognised equivalent.
  • Sufficient knowledge and experience in equine or rural animals.

Or

  • The relevant pathway programme, or a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2, or a recognised equivalent qualification.

International students:

  • Age: minimum age of 18 years old or turning 18 prior to the end of the programme.
  • Academic: Open entry with an animal care industry background or an interest in the animal care industry in their own country.
  • International students for whom English is a second language must attain an IELTS General or Academic score of 5.5 or equivalent with no band score lower than 5 or pass an internal test to assess their English proficiency level according to Rule 18 English language requirements for international students.

Programme approved for international students.

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