Veterinary Nursing
Certificate IV Of
Overview
Fairfield
2 years full time / part time
2 years full time / part time
Midyear
February, July
A career in helping animals
Times are changing for pet ownership in Australia, with more households owning pets than ever which is increasing demand for veterinary services. Over 70% of pet owners now view the role of veterinary services as keeping their pets healthy rather than treating them when they are sick. If you dream of a career taking care of animals, Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing will set you on the path to becoming a veterinary nurse.
Learn industry standard in veterinary environments
The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Melbourne Polytechnic helps you develop a range of animal care skills including clinical and surgical routines. Developed with our veterinary industry partners, the course focuses on practical learning that reflects real life scenarios. Practice clinical skills in our purpose-built veterinary precinct, Melbourne Polytechnic’s Veterinary Nursing Learning Centre, which includes extensive simulated veterinary practice suites. You’ll be trained by enthusiastic, industry-experienced teachers in a range of areas from reception duties to clinical pathology, radiology, theatre routines, dental nursing and general animal care.
Open doors to multiple career paths
Completing Melbourne Polytechnic’s nationally-recognised veterinary nursing certificate sets you up for multiple career paths. You can choose to work in animal pharmaceuticals, for the pet food industry, at your local vet or in a specialised clinic. You might even pursue work with animal welfare rescue organisations, or use your extensive knowledge at non-medical care organisations such as animal shelters or pet maintenance business.
Career Pathways
Where will this take me
As a graduate you may find work in private veterinary clinics offering a diverse range of services and undertaking various tasks and duties. The course also opens doors to working for pet food companies, in animal pharmaceuticals or specialist clinics.- Veterinary Nurse
Akolda Bil
"It means future to me now. All I was doing before this was working in small jobs, or jobs that aren't going to get me far in life, so studying is a huge deal to me. It got me where I am now.... And it actually, studying gave me a path to go somewhere in my life."
Course Details
How you learn
This course is delivered primarily at our Fairfield campus and will include a compulsory practical placement. Some practical components will take place in our Veterinary Nurse Learning Centre at the Epping Campus.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods for this course includes workshops written activities, assignments and satisfactory completion of practical skills.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| ACMGAS301 | MAINTAIN AND MONITOR ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING | Core | 50 |
| ACMVET202 | CARRY OUT DAILY CLINIC PRACTICE ROUTINES | Core | 40 |
| ACMINF301 | COMPLY WITH INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN ANIMAL WORK | Core | 60 |
| ACMGAS302 | PROVIDE ENRICHMENT FOR ANIMALS | Core | 40 |
| ACMSPE305 | PROVIDE BASIC CARE OF DOMESTIC CATS | Core | 40 |
| ACMGAS307 | IDENTIFY ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR ANIMAL CARE WORK | Core | 100 |
| ACMGAS308 | COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH CLIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS | Core | 30 |
| ACMVET402 | APPLY IMAGING ROUTINES | Core | 90 |
| ACMSPE304 | PROVIDE BASIC CARE OF DOMESTIC DOGS | Core | 40 |
| ACMVET401 | COORDINATE VETERINARY RECEPTION DUTIES | Core | 70 |
| ACMVET413 | PREPARE FOR ANAESTHESIA AND MONITOR ANAESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA | Core | 80 |
| ACMWHS301 | CONTRIBUTE TO WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCESSES | Core | 50 |
| ACMVET409 | PROVIDE SPECIFIC ANIMAL CARE ADVICE | Core | 90 |
| ACMVET403 | PERFORM CLINIC PATHOLOGY PROCEDURES | Core | 70 |
| ACMVET410 | CARRY OUT VETERINARY DENTAL NURSING PROCEDURES | Core | 40 |
| ACMVET404 | COORDINATE AND PERFORM SURGICAL NURSING ROUTINES | Core | 40 |
| ACMVET405 | COORDINATE AND PERFORM SURGICAL NURSING ROUTINES | Core | 120 |
| ACMVET407 | CARRY OUT MEDICAL NURSING ROUTINES | Core | 70 |
| ACMVET406 | NURSE ANIMALS | Core | 80 |
| ACMVET416 | ASSIST WITH THE PREPARATION OF VETERINARY DRUGS AND POISONS | Core | 60 |
| ACMVET408 | PROVIDE NUTRITIONAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | Core | 100 |
Studying at Melbourne Polytechnic
Student Services
We're here to make sure that your transition to student life at Melbourne Polytechnic is fun and as easy as possible
Services & support
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Our Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic (SLAM) team run the fun stuff on campus: things like movie nights, bake sales, cook-offs, career expos, spring markets, and much more.
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Specialist Training Facilities
Melbourne Polytechnic has a large range of specialist training facilities in health and community, construction, hospitality, education and more.
Specialist Training Facilities
Scholarships
One of the most common misconceptions about scholarships is that you have to be 'top in your class' to apply. Melbourne Polytechnic scholarships are awarded on a range of criteria such as merit, your area of study and personal circumstances.
ScholarshipsFees & Costs
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
To find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy we recommend you contact us help you find out.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2019. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials and Amenities cost
We will supply a list of materials including texts and stationery items that you will need to purchase.Attend an Info Session
Requirements
This course requires either:- the completion of either ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies
- or a relevant Certificate III or higher in an animal science discipline
- or can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline to any of the above qualifications.
Next Steps
We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form. You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.
It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment. Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend of our Skills and Job Centres, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about TPPs here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 03 9269 8400 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
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