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ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies
Veterinary Assisting FOCUS
QUALIFICATION UPDATED
The ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies has been replaced by the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, which we are working towards gaining approval to deliver. The new ACM20121 contains different subject and units, so is not considered the equivalent of the ACM20117.
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies can still accept enrolments for new students as long as all students finish their studies prior to 1st March 2023. If you cannot complete in time, that is ok! You can transition to the new qualification when available. Please keep this in mind when enrolling.
Completing the ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies still counts towards the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing entry requirements, and is still considered a valid qualification by employers.
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Price starting at:
$4430 or
$211.75/ fortnight
ENROLMENTS FOR NEXT INTAKE CLOSE IN:
ENROLMENTS & INTAKES
- Intakes start first Monday of every month.
- Enrolments close on the 15th day of the month prior.
Entry Requirements:
- 17 years or older
- Year 10, or higher
- Access to computers and internet
- Be able to undertake 15-20 days of work experience
Duration:
12 months
language:
English
Access to our Online Learning Center:
Yes
Printed Learner's Guides:
Yes
Need to attend campus:
No
Schedule type:
Flexible. Study plan provided.
DISCOUNT ON WORKSHOPS:
Yes
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Answer a few easy questions and find out in less than a minute.
find out nowThe perfect launching pad to a great career
If you’re just starting out on your dream of working with animals, the ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is specifically designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to care for a range of companion animals and work in a veterinary clinic as an assistant. This ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies has been designed to enable you to learn basic veterinary nursing skills to enter the veterinary industry, combined with some general animal care studies.
This course is entry level and designed for students still at school, recent school leavers and those who are unsure if veterinary nursing is for them. If vet nursing is definitely your passion, please look at undertaking the ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies, which is 100% Veterinary Nurse focused and designed to make you stand out from the crowd when applying for junior nurse positions. Our ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies also has more credits towards the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing than the ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies does, so you can get ahead on becoming a qualified Veterinary Nurse.
The ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is your stepping-stone to many great animal care related qualifications apart from veterinary nursing, enabling you to work in pet shops, grooming, boarding kennels or even doggy day care centres. It is also perfect for combining with your high school study where your school allows you to undertake a Certificate II as part of your certificate of education, or if you are unsure which animal care career will suit you, as you will get a little bit of everything throughout your course.
If you are after a course with a more general animal care focus we deliver a non-veterinary nursing version through our sister college – the Australian College of Animal Care. Don’t stress, you still have all the same benefits and support as studying through us.
Please note: you’ll need to allow time for 15 – 20 days of work experience to cover the practical skills needed to complete this course. The first placement can occur at a shelter, boarding facility or any approved workplace that houses companion animals overnight. The second placement (10 days) must be undertaken at a veterinary clinic to ensure you are mastering the right nursing skills that this course requires.
This ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is offered by UQ Skills (RTO 1511) with the expert training, assessment, recruitment and support services provided by ACVN.
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Direct entry available!
To be eligible to enrol in this course, you must:
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Have successfully completed Year 10, or equivalent
- Be able to undertake work experience placements at an animal care facility and veterinary clinic
- Many students choose to volunteer at animal shelters, RSPCA etc to learn some of the practical skills they need.
- Have access to computers and internet as this is an online course.
Please note:
You’ll need to allow time for 15 – 20 days of work experience to cover the practical skills needed to complete this course. The first placement can occur at a shelter, boarding facility or any approved workplace that houses companion animals overnight. The second placement (10 days) must be undertaken at a veterinary clinic to ensure you are mastering the right nursing skills that this course requires.
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies
For this qualification to be awarded, you must complete 12 units of competency. Eight of these are core units, and the remaining four are electives. Your electives are set within our course structure and cannot be changed.
The core units you will cover within your subjects are:
- ACMGAS201 Work in the animal care industry
- ACMWHS201 Participate in occupational health & safety processes
- ACMGAS203 Complete animal care hygiene routines
- ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
- ACMGAS202 Participate in workplace communications
- ACMGAS205 Assist in the health care of animals
- ACMGAS204 Feed & water animals
- ACMGAS206 Provide basic first aid for animals
Your electives are:
- ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
- ACMGAS208 Source information for animal care needs
- ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
- ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
Enrolling is very simple!
- Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.
- Fill out the form.
- Check your email account for the enrolment package. We’ll email your acceptance email within 1 to 2 business days.
- Fill out the enrolment and payment forms, and post or email it back in to us.
Once your enrolment and payment has been processed, you will receive an email from us with all the information you need to access the Learning Centre.
After you have completed student induction, we’ll courier out your Learner’s Resources
Nationally Recognised Training
This qualification is delivered by ACVN on behalf of the University of Queensland, trading as UQ Skills, RTO ID: 1511. UQ Skills is the Principal RTO and this course is on the UQ Skills scope of registration, as documented through a written third party agreement. For more information refer to the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered entirely by distance education using our online ‘Learning Centre’ with printed learner’s guides.
This allows you the flexibility to study when it suits your schedule. You won’t need to attend any on-campus classes. We’ve designed the course to fit around your work and lifestyle.
Once the course starts, you’ll receive printed learner’s guides, which will guide you through your studies and prepare you for assessments. You will also need to purchase a veterinary nursing textbook (allow around $130). You’ll also have access to the extra study resources available via our ‘Learning Centre’ online.
Each subject contains various assessment tasks:
- Expect to complete written assessments like assignments, case studies, and reports.
- We include multiple choice learning activities so you can check your own learning throughout the course.
- Workplace-based assessments for practical skills will be completed during your Work Placements and involve some video assessments and a logbook. We provide comprehensive instructions on what to include, so don’t feel stressed about having to video yourself performing tasks.
- On average, expect to submit one short assessment or learning activity task each week to stay on track. Larger assessment tasks are required towards the end of the course.
How long will the course take, and how much study will I need to do?
We’ve designed this course to be completed in 12 months. You’ll have suggested due dates for each subject to help keep you on track. We find most students need to dedicate at least 5 hours per week to study, undertaking the required reading and completing the assessment tasks.
Of course, you can complete the course more quickly if you wish. Additional fees apply if you want to extend your study time past 12 months.
What happens if I need more time to complete the course?
You will be given 12 months to complete your course, and you’ll have suggested due dates for each subject to help keep you on track. If you need more time, that’s ok! Arranging an enrolment extension is easy, however be aware that it attracts a fee.
What about work placement?
Two work placements are an integral feature of this course. They build up your practical skills and are an essential part of your learning.
You’ll usually do these placements in two-week blocks at an animal care facility and veterinary clinic near you.
Some students may require additional days of work experience to complete the skills component of the course. We can arrange for this at no extra charge.
For those who need more flexibility, placements can be broken up into smaller, regular chunks as long as you complete a minimum of 15-20 full time days over the duration of the course (e.g. 1 day per week or 4 x 1 week blocks). During your placement, you are fully covered by The University of Queensland (Gatton Campus) insurance.
You are required to find your own placements, however we’ll assist where we can. We provide you with all the tools you need to help find a suitable clinic, as well as assistance with writing cover letters and resumes. Finding placement is much like finding a job, you need to present yourself well!
Do you accept international students?
Yes! We welcome offshore international students. That is, those who do not reside in Australia or are not planning on studying from within Australia.
As an international offshore student, payment plans are not available. You will be required to pay the full course fee prior to starting. We also do not offer the pay in full discount to international offshore students however we do not charge you extra for resources to be sent to you, or for bank fees.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you can legally perform the practical tasks required in your country. In some countries, like the UK, it is illegal for a non-qualified person to perform some of the practical skills necessary to complete the course. Check with your local veterinary surgeons’ board.
If you are completing placement, you will also need to arrange your own insurance and provide evidence of this to us.
learn moreWhat can I study after this certificate?
Ready to learn more? After you’ve completed this course you can move on to:
- ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies
- ACM30217 Certificate III in Animal Technology
- ACM30317 Certificate III in Captive Animals
- ACM30417 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
- ACM30612 Certificate III in Pet Grooming
- ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Is there government funding for this course?
Unfortunately, government funding is not currently available for this course. If this changes, we will advertise it on our site.
You can, however, enrol with one of our instalment plans.
We do encourage you to contact your local job seeker service or apprenticeship centre for further suggestions.
About The University of Queensland, trading as UQ Skills, RTO ID: 1511
Veterinary Nurse Solutions, trading as the Australian College of Veterinary Nursing (‘ACVN’), has a third party arrangement with UQ Skills which is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). UQ Skills is a business within the University of Queensland under the Faculty Science. In this arrangement, UQ Skills is the ‘Principal RTO’.
For more information about our third party partner UQ Skills, go to:
https://skills-training.uq.edu.au/about-uq-skills or
https://training.gov.au/Organisation/Details/1511
At all times, the Principal RTO is responsible for the quality of the training and assessment you will receive in compliance with Standards for RTOs 2015, and for the issuance of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certification documentation. These Standards set out the requirements that an organisation must meet in order to be an RTO and ensure the integrity and quality of nationally recognised training provided by registered training organisations.
What does this mean for students?
Who are students enrolled with?
Students are enrolled with UQ Skills as the principal RTO.
Who do students do training and assessment with?
All training is conducted by ACVN on behalf of UQ Skills, the principal RTO. All learning and assessment materials are developed by ACVN and approved by UQ Skills.
Who do the trainers and assessors work for?
All trainers and assessors are employed by ACVN, but are approved by UQ Skills.
What if a student needs to make a complaint?
In the first instance you can provide feedback and make a complaint directly to us, ACVN at [email protected]. You are also able to make a complaint or provide feedback directly to the Principal RTO, UQ Skills directly, at: [email protected].
Who issues qualifications and statements of attainment?
On successful completion of all course requirements students are provided with the appropriate qualifications and statements of attainment issued by the Principal RTO, The University of Queensland, trading as UQ Skills, RTO ID: 1511.
What if a student needs to have a qualifications or statement of attainment reissued?
Students can contact either ACVN and we can assist you to organise this. You are also able to directly contact UQ Skills to obtain a new copy of a certificate.
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find out nowWhat will I study in the ACM20117
CERTIFICATE II IN ANIMAL STUDIES?
Introduction to Veterinary Nursing as a Career
Discover what’s involved in working in the veterinary industry from the ground up. We’ll cover the career pathway for veterinary nurses then branch out into basic animal identification and profiles, terminology, work schedules and prioritising tasks, locating information on animal care, and Animal Welfare legislation. You’ll also need to do some research on veterinary nursing, including career pathways, general job overview, and typical employment conditions (e.g. awards and hours worked).
Animal Restraint and Transport*
Animal Restraint & Transport is a whole subject devoted to the correct handling and restraint of the animals in our care. Although a large focus is on dogs and cats, rabbits, you’ll also learn about guinea pigs, birds and wildlife. Providing safe and low stress animal handling is a vital skill for any Veterinary Nurse.
Health and Safety in the Vet Clinic*
Health and safety are vital aspects of working in any animal care workplace. We’ll introduce you to Work Health and Safety legislation and how it applies to employees, the basics of risk management and controls, how to deal with sharps, allergies, noise, dangerous chemicals and drugs, fire safety and emergencies, biological hazards and zoonoses. Then we’ll finish off with a closer look at animal hazards and manual handling when it comes to animal care workplaces and how you can minimise risks.
Communications*
Veterinary Nurses are required communicate with a range of people from colleagues to clients. You’ll learn how to adjust your communication techniques to match your audience, including switching between medical terminology and client friendly explanations. You’ll also learn about customer service skills and how to deal with difficult situations.
Basic First Aid for Animals
This subject will introduce you to what to do in an emergency situation when you come across an ill or injured companion animal. You will learn about keeping yourself, others and the animal safe whilst administering basic first aid. We also cover initial first aid steps, how to safely transport to a vet clinic, and when you must contact a vet for further advice and treatment.
Nursing the Veterinary Patient*
Patients are often kept in hospital and knowing how to look after them from food to bedding, exercising, taking vital signs, recording observations and knowing when to alert the Vet are all skills that form the basis of good nursing. This subject goes into detail on how to really look after your patients well, providing nursing interventions where necessary, and looking at the patient as a whole – not just ticking off a box that a treatment has been given.
Infection Control in the Veterinary Clinic*
Infection control is extremely important in any veterinary clinic and this subject is structured to help you with understanding both basic and advanced precautions that are necessary to keep you and your patients safe from transmissible diseases.
Environmentally Sustainable Work Practices
This short subject looks at the resources we use each day and how to minimise the impact we have on the environment. Students undertake an ‘audit’ of an animal workplace to see what resources are used and how waste reducing measures could be implemented. This subject is included as part of government requirements and aims to increase awareness of sustainable work practices.
Work Experience Placements
To successfully complete this course you are required to complete two work experience placements. Placement one can be at any approved animal care facility that houses companion animals overnight. For example animal shelters and boarding facilities as well as vet clinics. This placement must be a minimum of 5 days, however we recommend 10 days. Placement two must be at a veterinary clinic so you can learn about basic nursing duties. We advise talking to clinics in your local area prior to enrolling to see if they will take on students and what their requirements are. We will cover you with insurance whilst on placement.
* These subjects credit across to the ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies, and the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Veterinary Nursing.
It’s all we do.
Why would you study anywhere else?
Nationally Recognised Training
This qualification is delivered by ACVN on behalf of the University of Queensland, trading as UQ Skills, RTO ID: 1511. UQ Skills is the Principal RTO and this course is on the UQ Skills scope of registration, as documented through a written third party agreement. For more information refer to the FAQ.
start your career
start your studies with some savings!
interest free payment plan
Enrol now with a first instalment of $495
Then simply pay 10 x $423.50/month or
$211.75/fortnight.
That’s about $105/week!
Total:
$4730
APPLY nowImportant notes:
- Please budget around $130 for additional textbooks.
- Prices current from 30th June 2021.
- All prices include resource fees, tuition, and administration fees.
- Additional fees may apply if you do not pass a subject, you need to re-enrol in a subject for any reason, or you extend your enrolment period. Please refer to the student handbook for details on other fees that may be applicable.
Notes on Payment Plans:
- Even if you have completed your studies, you’ll not receive your certificate until you’ve paid for your course in full.
- You are also responsible for paying the entire course cost, even if you decide to not complete the full course.
- Instalments will start from the month your course commences. Payments are by direct debit or credit card only.
- If you fall behind in your instalments by more than 14 days without arranging an alternative payment, you may be withdrawn from the course. So it’s important to contact us if you are struggling.
- International students are not eligible for instalment plans.
We work hard to ensure our graduates are the first choice for every Veterinary Nurse vacancy!
Our students are raving about our courses!
The thought of doing something meaningful with my life that would benefit others is what drew me to the veterinary industry. I like the fact that ACVN allows me to work at my own pace, it means I can balance part time work and travel with my studies. I also love how friendly and helpful the ACVN staff are, they make the stress of studying a little easier.
I’ve always wanted to work with animals but I thought that there was no way I was going to do anything Veterinary related online! But then I found ACVN and I began to follow my dream career path. The course and support are amazing. Everything about ACVN is amazing, and more! Being a vet nurse and helping animals is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
The ACVN Nurse Educators are second to none. Where else could you ask a question on Facebook at 10pm at night and have a real Nurse Educator answer?
I am currently employed as a veterinary nurse in a large purpose build veterinary hospital. Without my studies with ACVN I’d be lost as to where I want to be in my career.
OVERSEAS STUDENTS WELCOME!
You don’t need to be living in Australia to study with us. We welcome students from all over the world! You have the same student benefits as a local student, and we don’t charge you huge fees for being overseas. There are however, some considerations you need to factor in before enrolling with us. Please read the Overseas Student Information by clicking the button below.
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