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Certificate in Client Care Services
CERTIFICATE IN VETERINARY CLIENT CARE SERVICES
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Price starting at:
$4995 or
$125/fortnight
ENROLMENTS & INTAKES
Coming Soon
Duration:
18-24 months
language:
English
Access to our Online Learning Centre:
Yes
Printed Learner's Guides:
Yes
Need to attend campus:
No
Schedule type:
Flexible. Study plan provided
DISCOUNT ON WORKSHOPS:
Yes
Veterinary Receptionist Excellence
Veterinary receptionists play a crucial role in the smooth operation of a veterinary clinic. As the first point of contact for clients, you’ll set the tone for the entire experience, often shaping a client’s perception of the clinic and its services. Your responsibilities extend beyond merely answering phones and scheduling appointments; your organisation skills are essential to maintaining the clinic’s efficiency and ensuring that both clients and patients receive the highest standard of care from start to finish.
A career as a veterinary receptionist offers a dynamic and engaging work environment where no two days are the same. The role combines elements of customer service, administration, and pet healthcare, providing a diverse and varied workload. If you love animals and enjoy interacting with people, this career offers the unique opportunity to be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners.
Though not directly involved in the medical treatment of animals, veterinary receptionists play a hugely important supportive role in patient care. You’ll be tasked with assisting with the initial gathering of patient history and preparing necessary documentation for procedures. With a keen attention to detail, you’ll ensure the veterinary team has all the information they need to provide optimal care, contributing indirectly but significantly to the health and well-being of the patients.
Behind the scenes, veterinary receptionists are administration ninjas – managing the administrative duties that keep the clinic running smoothly. This includes maintaining accurate records, managing appointment schedules, processing payments, and ensuring that the clinic’s workflow is organised and efficient. Your superpower is the ability to multitask and manage time effectively is key to preventing bottlenecks in the clinic’s operations, allowing veterinarians and nurses to focus on patient care without unnecessary interruptions.
As an integral part of the veterinary services team, you’ll be providing health care advice for pets, from recommending nutrition options to explaining preventative health care options such as vaccinations and parasite control. There’s so much to learn, and we’re excited to help you become a master of veterinary client care.
At ACVN, we take pride in offering the highest standards of training to all of our students, and our ACVN Certificate in Veterinary Client Care Services is no exception. With this program, you’ll gain access to all of our renowned student support structures, ensuring that you receive the assistance and guidance you need to succeed. Our flexible delivery format allows you to study at your own pace and start whenever it’s convenient for you. You can trust that we’ll provide you with everything you need to become an expert in veterinary client care.
REGISTER YOUR INTERESTGet started today
To be eligible to enrol in this course, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Have successfully completed Year 10, or equivalent
- Have access to computers and the internet as this is an online course.
Please note:
There are no clinical placement requirements for this course. You will complete all your assessments at home. It is advantageous to have a veterinary reception position in a veterinary clinic.
CERTIFICATE IN VETERINARY CLIENT CARE SERVICES
For this qualification to be awarded, you must complete 17 subjects.
The subjects you must complete are:
- Safe Animal Handling Techniques
- Health & Safety at Work
- Drugs & Dispensing
- Communications
- Infection Control in the Veterinary Clinic
- Veterinary Reception
- Payments & Banking
- Stock Control & Merchandising
- Euthanasia & Grief
- Triaging for Emergencies
- Wellbeing
- Providing Client Advice
- Managing Customer Service
CLIENT ADVICE MODULE
The following subjects are available as an add on for those who wish to be able to provide thorough advice to clients. These are highly recommended as you will be asked many questions by owners.
- Preventative Medications
- Animal Nutrition
- Reproduction
- Behaviour
ONCE WE RELEASE THE COURSE, ENROLLING WILL BE SUPER SIMPLE.
- Click on the ‘Enrol Online Now’ button below.
- Fill out the enrolment form and arrange payment. (Instalment plans are available)
- When your intake starts you’ll receive an email regarding accessing our Learning Centre and getting started.
Once your enrolment and payment has been processed, you will receive an email from us with all the information you need to prepare to study. Your learning material folders will be sent after you’ve completed your Student Induction module at the start of your intake.
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT TO Nationally Recognised Training?
Nationally Recognised Training (or accredited training) follows a prescribed training package, detailing what skills and knowledge a student must demonstrate, to have the qualification issued. Each training provider designs their own course content and assessments to meet this.
Non-accredited training does not have the restriction of having to follow a training package. Instead the education provider defines the syllabus to meet what their students needs, then designs their course content and assessments to suit.
Whether something is nationally recognised training or not does not indicate course quality, just whether it follows a training package or not. All our courses, regardless of whether accredited or not, exceed industry expectations for knowledge depth gained.
There is currently no nationally recognised training course specifically for veterinary reception and client care roles. That’s where this course comes in.
Frequently asked questions
When does the course start?
We’re putting on the final touches ready to start delivery soon.
Once it’s live and you’re enrolled, we will start you off in your course within a week of receiving your enrolment and payment.
You’ll have 18 – 24 months to complete your course work (depending on subjects selected)
Do I need to be employed in a vet clinic?
No, all the assessments are performed at home, you just need access to some animals for some of the practicals – your own pets or those of friends and family are fine. You will complete some assessments with a Nurse Educator acting in the role of a client or colleague.
How much study will I need to do?
Each student studies differently.
Most students need to dedicate around 8-10 hours per week to their studies.
We’ll give you a suggested timetable to guide you through completing your studies within the 18-24 months allocated. If you need, you’re able to extend your course past this, but be aware a fee will apply.
It’s possible to finish the course in under 18 months, you can too if you wish. The trick is time management. Put dedicated study time aside each week and it’s achievable.
How is the course delivered?
Our online student ‘Learning Centre’ along with our printed resources means you can study from where you like. Sunny day? Pop outside and study whilst watching the dogs play.
We’ll give you a timetable to help you structure your study plan. We recommend allowing dedicated time each week to ensure you stay on track, but it is self paced. So there is no stress of missing a deadline.
In the Learning Centre, you’ll find:
- Learning activities to help you remember everything
- Interactive learning modules
- Videos showing you how to perform tasks
- Recorded lectures to learn even more
- Links to upload your assessments.
In your printed resources, you’ll find all the reading material and references you need to successfully pass the course.
What kind of assessments will I need to do?
Assessments are not only about assessing you, they are a valuable learning tool. As you complete them, you’ll learn more than just going through the reading materials alone and the feedback you receive will help you grow your knowledge even more.
Written Assessments
Every subject has some form of written assessment. We use short answer questions and scenario based assessments.
Our Nurse Educators will provide thorough feedback on your assessments, including hints and tips and further learning opportunities. Anytime you need help with an assessment, you just contact the Nurse Educators through our Student Assist options.
Practical Assessments
You will be required to perform some practical assessments, these can be either as recorded videos OR live over Zoom with an Educator. We provide full instructions so you know exactly what is expected.
How is ACVN different to other colleges?
We’re about veterinary nursing. Full stop. We live and breathe it.
For us, training veterinary nurses is not just about money. It’s how we can ensure best practice nursing care for animals everywhere. We’re here for the animals.
At ACVN, you have a name not a student number. We get to know all our students really well and love sharing in your achievements.
We care about you and your career. We want you to be job ready, employable and enjoying a long career in veterinary nursing. Some of our graduates love us so much, they’ve come to work for us.
Our student to educator ratio is the envy of many colleges. Because of this, your assessments are marked quickly and the feedback you receive is specific to you and designed to help you learn. The Nurse Educators are available to help you when you need it.
At our college, you’ll be a part of a group of students who are considered amongst the best in the country.
Do you accept international/overseas students?
Yes! We absolutely welcome overseas students, as long as you are remaining in your home country. If you wish to come to Australia to study, you’ll need to find a CRICOS registered provider. These are the only institutions approved for international student visas.
We have had students in many countries including America, Canada, Singapore, Japan, China, Portugal, Cyprus and South Africa, just to name a few.
Please check out our Overseas Student Information page for more details.
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What support do you offer?
Email
Facebook
We’re here for you, for your entire course and beyond graduation. Once you graduate with us, you become an ACVN Nurse. The most trusted veterinary nurses out there.
Once you enrol, we’ve made it very easy to get help.
As a student, you’re our number one priority. It’s why we’re here.
Student Assist is our student support program and it’s manned by our Nurse Educators. This means if you need help – you’ll get it quickly. You won’t have to wait days or weeks for an educator to help you.
We can help you understand something that you’re not sure about, help you find things, give you motivational support, help with an assessment or feedback. Basically anything you need course wise, we can help you with.
Phone & Zoom
You can get a same day appointment with an Educator for help via the phone or a video call on Zoom. Video calls have the added advantage of sharing screen, and demonstrating practical skills. You can arrange help on weekdays between 8am and 5pm.
Send us an email any time to the dedicated student support email, and we’ll answer it when we’re in the office. We check this email several times throughout the day, so most emails are replied to in under 24 hours, but we do ask for 2 business days.
If social media is part of your life, we have an active student Facebook group for you. It’s exclusive to our current students and grads. Our Nurse Educators are also in there and are known to answer questions at all times of the day or night.
Is this course accredited?
No. But that doesn’t mean its not top quality – it still follows the same rigorous design process to create top notch subjects like that which are delivered in the accredited courses, but we’re not constricted to the training package requirements.
You will receive internal credits into our accredited courses (nationally recognised training) if you wish to undertake one of these in the future with us. Many students use the non accredited courses to decide if they want to commit to the full accredited course. Internal credits are available for 2 years post graduation. Other providers may recognise your work with us through their recognition of prior learning pathways.
Nationally Recognised Training (or accredited training) follows a prescribed training package, detailing what skills and knowledge a student must demonstrate, to have the qualification issued. Each training provider designs their own course content and assessments to meet this.
Non-accredited training does not have the restriction of having to follow a training package. Instead the education provider defines the syllabus to meet what their students needs, then designs their course content and assessments to suit.
Whether something is nationally recognised training or not does not indicate course quality, just whether it follows a training package or not. All our courses, regardless of whether accredited or not, exceed industry expectations for knowledge depth gained.
What about international accreditation?
It is important to note there is no official international accreditation for veterinary nursing courses.
International course accreditation schemes are just paid advertising and are not a guarantee of quality, career outcomes or recognition by official bodies. They’re purely a marketing tool. That’s why we don’t subscribe to that model.
Are there any credits into the Nationally Recognised Courses?
You will receive internal credits into our accredited courses (nationally recognised training) if you wish to undertake one of these in the future with us. Internal credits only apply where the subject is included in the course you wish to enrol in and only cover the theory components – you may need to complete practical components in your placement.
Many students use the non accredited courses to decide if they want to commit to the full accredited course.
Internal credits are available for 2 years post graduation.
Other providers may recognise your work with us through their recognition of prior learning pathways.
Am I a vet nurse when I graduate?
In Australia, a qualified Veterinary Nurse is someone who has obtained a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. This course can be used as a stepping stone to reaching that goal. If you decide you want to be a vet nurse in the future, we’ll give you internal credits from this course (if you go on to enrol within 2 years).
Can I change the subjects in the course?
The short answer is no. The subjects have been carefully selected by ACVN to reflect the aims of the course.
We do offer the Client Advice Extension Module where you can learn more about the right advice to provide owners when they ask all their care questions.
But, if you have a particular interest in other subjects or short courses we offer, just ask us if we can package it in. Be aware there may be additional fees if you’re adding in more subjects.
Receive internal credits
Receive internal credits into our Nationally Recognised Training courses – allowing you to further your career when you’re ready.
What SUBJECTS WILL I STUDY?
This course has set subjects and an elective, but highly recommended, pet health advice module.
Safe Animal Handling Techniques
Safe Animal Handling Techniques 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 anyone working in a veterinary clinic.
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.
Drugs & Dispensing
As a veterinary receptionist, you may be required to dispense drugs on behalf of the veterinarian, and you will most certainly be selling over the counter medications. This subject looks at different drug classifications and schedules, legislation around prescribing and dispensing medications, how to obtain customer information on drugs and provide client advice.
Communications
Veterinary Client Care Specialists 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.
Infection Control in the Vet 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.
Veterinary Reception
This subject is all about making appointments, basic triaging emergency cases in relation to scheduling, admissions and discharges, clinic records, and basic office functions.
Payments & Banking
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A short subject about taking payments, invoicing, finding and resolving discrepancies and banking reconciliations.
Stock Control & Merchandising
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Good stock control can have a positive impact not only on customer service, but the bottom line of the practice. This subject will teach students about how to maintain good stock levels, perform stocktake and other stock control functions.
Euthanasia & Grief
Dealing with client grief requires a whole team approach. In this subject, you’ll learn how to approach the grieving client and provide support within your role. You’ll also learn how to refer clients to additional support.
This subject also covers the euthanasia process.
Triaging for Emergencies
This subject will teach students how to effectively triage cases over the phone, and in clinic; basic first aid advice to provide to owner, and communicating back to the team.
Wellbeing & Self Care
Well being and Self Care is an important yet often overlooked area of our lives. Allowing ourselves the opportunity for Self Care can sometimes be reflected upon as being selfish, however if we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we take care of others? This is most relevant when considering our clients and patients. Through Self Care and our own wellbeing, we also build our resilience. This enables us to succeed when when we are faced with challenges outside of our control. This subject will guide you through what it means to provide self care, help identify the tools we can use to promote wellbeing and how we can use those tools to apply it to our everyday lives and and our workplaces.
Managing Customer Service
This subject is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to provide excellent customer service in the veterinary industry. Students will learn how to effectively manage how customer service is delivered to ensure they, and their team, build positive, long-lasting relationships with clients.
Providing Client Advice
The subject is designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to provide advice and recommendations to clients, such as health care, nutrition, and preventative care. Students will learn how to communicate effectively with clients and build strong relationships based on mutual goals of good pet care.
CLIENT ADVICE EXTENSION MODULE
This section is elective, but highly recommended, as it will provide you with great product and service knowledge so you can better serve your customers.
Preventative Medications
This subject prepares students for recognising, treating and preventing the common parasites found on and in domestic animals. You will also learn what vaccinations animals need, the diseases they cover, and why they are so important. This will ensure you are prepared to educate clients on protecting their pets and family and achieve a high compliance.
Small Animal Nutrition
Correct nutrition is not only vital for the patients we nurse and animals we care for, but advising owners on correct nutrition for their pets is often a daily occurrence for Veterinary Nurses. This subject will ensure students understand what makes up nutrition, how to feed for particular life stages, how to read pet labels, diseases that are influenced by nutrition, and how to calculate energy requirements.
Behaviour
Providing behavioural advice is often performed by veterinary nurses and having a good understanding of how animals learn and how behaviour modification can be performed is essential for good outcomes. You’ll learn all of this and how to modify common behavioural problems.
Reproduction
This subject covers the reproductive system of common domestic animals, their reproductive cycles and whelping/queening. Students will also learn about reproductive emergencies and what advice should be given to the owners when complications occur or are suspected. There is also an emphasis on understanding what is normal to allow the nurse to advise clients on the correct care of their breeding adults and the neonates.
Decided you want a Vet Nurse qualification as well? You can!
Enrol in one of our veterinary nurse qualifications within two years of graduation and you’ll receive internal credits towards some subjects. This will make your new qualification shorter and cheaper.
start your career
start your studies with some savings!
interest free payment plan
Enrol now with a deposit of $495
Then simply pay
20 x $250/month or
40 x $125/fortnight
That’s an affordable $62.50/week.
Total:
$5495
Register interest
CLIENT ADVICE extension module
3 Additional Client Advice Subjects
Add on anytime.
+$695
Important notes:
- Prices current from 1st Jan 2024 and include GST for Australian students.
- 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. Refer to the student handbook for other fees.
- Discount does not apply to international students. Instead we will cover bank transfer fees at our end, and send out your Learner’s Guides at no additional charge.
- Prices do not include VAT for European or UK based students, this will be added to your invoice upon enrolment.
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, and to make your life easier, you can elect the day the automatic payment is debited from your account.
- 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.
As an ACVN graduate, you’ll be in the perfect position to land your dream job.
Our students are raving about our courses!
ACVN allows me to have a work/study/life balance as I can complete my course around the pace of my chaotic life.
Because of my studies I started as a placement student in a clinic and as a result of this I was offered employment.
I love the support offered by the nurse educators and fellow students. It’s very different to university where the information is thrown at you and lecturers are often too busy for one on one help. The flexible study schedule makes study and full time work easy to manage. I started placement in February 2016, the staff are amazed by how broad my knowledge is and how in depth the studies go. I’ve already been told that when I finish my studies, they want to create a position for me.
I’m middle aged with 3 adult kids and a varied work history. I decided when I turned 40 that I really wanted to work with animals. I chose online studying for the convenience of working to my own schedule. From my comparisons with colleagues studying with other RTO’s I think the ACVN course was much more comprehensive. My goal was to end up as a carer in a non-profit/rescue organisation and in March 2017 I accepted a job with the RSPCA client services across adoptions, admissions and clinic.
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.
Learn more
Register your interest
Complete this quick form and we’ll notify you when this course is released.