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Certificate in Client Care ServicesEDUCATION EXPERT: HARRIE PHILLIPS FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR PGCertClinED, BAdVocEd (VocEd&Trng), DipVN (Surgical, ECC), DipTAE (Development & Design), DipBus, TAA Harrie Phillips is the Founder and Managing Director of the Australian College of Veterinary Nursing (ACVN), which she established in 2010 to advance education and professional development for veterinary nurses. A highly experienced veterinary nurse and educator, Harrie leads the development of ACVN’s courses and learning resources, drawing on extensive clinical experience across general practice, emergency and critical care, specialist hospitals and university settings. With a strong interest in surgical nursing, particularly neurosurgery and orthopaedics, Harrie has spent much of her career supporting the development of practical skills and evidence-based practice in veterinary nursing. She regularly lectures at conferences and contributes articles to veterinary nursing publications, sharing her expertise with the profession both in Australia and internationally. Harrie specialises in the development and delivery of education for veterinary nurses and animal care professionals. Her work focuses on translating clinical practice into structured learning that builds practical competence, critical thinking and professional standards within the veterinary team. As an instructional designer, Harrie develops online and blended learning programs for veterinary nursing education. Her expertise includes curriculum design, simulation-based learning, digital assessment strategies and the development of interactive learning resources for vocational education. Drawing on extensive experience in specialist referral practice, Harrie has particular expertise in surgical nursing, postoperative patient care and rehabilitation. Her clinical interests include neurosurgery and orthopaedics, and she frequently teaches surgical nursing skills to veterinary nurses. Harrie has a strong professional interest in infection control and sterile processing in veterinary practice. She has undertaken specialised training in hospital sterilisation and infection prevention and has contributed to improving infection control procedures within veterinary clinics. Through her work at ACVN, Harrie supports veterinary clinics and organisations in developing training programs, induction processes and continuing professional development for veterinary nurses and support staff. Harrie Phillips contributes to the advancement of veterinary nursing practice and education through professional speaking, industry collaboration, and participation in multidisciplinary initiatives. Her contributions include:
Stethoscopes, a vital tool in medical practice, are often overlooked as fomites, leading to potential [...]
The Gastrostomy Tube (aka G-Tube), including the Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube (PEG tube), needs to [...]
The Modified Robert Jones Bandage is used most commonly used post-operatively to provide compression in [...]
All veterinary nurses know that warming a patient during anaesthesia is important, but do you [...]
Proper clipper blade care is essential not only to prevent trauma to our patients (clipper [...]
Skin preparation techniques are one of our first defences in reducing the risk of our [...]
Most veterinary clinics get their vet nurses to change their soda lime on a regular [...]
You’d probably be familiar with using cold packs when you injure yourself, such as when [...] Harrie has written much of the content in the following courses: These courses form part of nationally recognised veterinary nursing training delivered through the Australian College of Veterinary Nursing. She has also written the content for the following courses, which are delivered by the Australian College of Animal Care: Harrie holds formal qualifications in clinical education, vocational education and training, veterinary nursing, business, and equine care.
HARRIE PHILLIPS
Areas of Expertise
Harrie’s work spans veterinary nursing education, digital learning design and specialist clinical practice. Her primary areas of expertise include:
Veterinary nursing education and clinical skills training
Digital and distance learning design
Surgical nursing and postoperative patient care
Infection prevention, aseptic technique and sterile supply
Veterinary practice training and workforce development
Professional Leadership & Industry Contributions
SOME ARTICLES BY HARRIE
When did you last clean your stethoscope?
G-Tube 101: Understanding Feeding Tube Care for Vet Nurses
Placing a Modified Robert Jones
Patient Warming in Anaesthesia
5 Things we’re doing wrong by our clipper blades.
Surgical Skin Preparation – Best Practice Protocol for Veterinary Nurses
Pretty in Pink : Soda Lime. When should it be changed?
Cryotherapy in the immediate post-op period
LEARN FROM HARRIE
QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS
Higher Education
Veterinary Nursing & Animal Care
Education and Training
Business and Management