Certificate for
Production Animal Technicians (Level 5)

SC1004

Starts February
For one year
Domestic Student fees are $5,650 *
Study full-time
Rotokauri Campus in Hamilton

The programme aims to give graduates a high level of applied knowledge of large animal health procedures and husbandry. On completion, graduates will be capable, under general supervision, of performing routine procedures on livestock and delivering services that support veterinary staff in their day-to-day duties.

Students will gain knowledge and skills in:

• Animal physiology and anatomy
• Production animal handling and husbandry
• Production animal first aid, diseases and health programmes
• Basic animal health procedures such as dis-budding with a hot iron, basic hoof trim, blood sampling and bolus administration
• Spore counting and other basic laboratory skills
  

Graduates will have the foundation of industry skills and knowledge that will allow them to continue on to higher level training and to gain the experience required for employment in more senior positions or to pursue self employment delivering specialist large animal services to clients.

Programme Content

• Large animal handling skills and the applied knowledge that is required to both assist with and to perform a range of health maintenance and animal husbandry procedures for
  production animals
• Knowledge of animal husbandry and health that will enable the graduate to offer a more complete service, and to liaise between a client and a practice principal such as a veterinary surgeon
• Knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be professional and effective in the workplace, including: safe work practice, ethical and legal considerations, dealing with emergencies, communicating effectively, and using business systems
• Generic skills, knowledge and sufficient experience to be quickly capable of learning skills associated with new tasks in the workplace

Entry Criteria

Candidates are required to have gained:

• a minimum of 24 credits at NCEA Level 2, 12 of which must be English and 12 credits must be in one subject area, or equivalent; or
• a qualification at Level 2 or higher in a related subject area
• Certificate in Introduction to study level 2

Candidates may be required to participate in an interview and selection process. Selection is based on the candidate’s interest and desire to work in the veterinary and animal care industry and their personal qualities in aspects such as communication and team work.

Candidates will need to have the physical capability to undertake the practical tasks involved in this occupation.

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test Score (IELTS) of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in the written band.

Additonal Information

Please note: Dependant on places available, if you have a Wintec Certificate in Animal Care or equivalent then you can transfer your credits and enter directly into the second semester of the Certificate (starting July) for Production Animal Technicians.