Course overview
Veterinary Technologists in practice utilise and apply their acquired knowledge and skill on a daily basis to assist the veterinary team in providing high quality health care for their patients, and support and education to their clients. In this core course, Veterinary Technology students will employ their existing knowledge and skill in the real life clinical environment to further develop their knowledge and proficiency in all aspects of patient care. Students will complete a total of 240 hours (6 weeks) of work placement(s) on a roster basis, Students will engage in clinical related activities related to small animal medicine, surgery & sterile supply, anaesthesia, large animal medicine, diagnostic imaging, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDL) during their 6 weeks of placement. A portion of the placement may be delivered as a distributed placement external to the University's teaching hospitals. These rosters fit into a 48 week academic year that begins in early January of level III of the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology program.
Course learning outcomes
- Promote safe and professional practice by applying WHS principles, legislation, and best practice standards for safety, quality, and biosecurity in measures such as aseptic technique, sterilisation, disinfection, isolation, and zoonotic disease prevention.
- Apply professional and ethical standards by following codes of conduct, using evidence-based practice, maintaining accurate records, and reflecting on limitations through feedback and continuous improvement.
- Deliver patient-centred nursing care by creating and implementing care plans that include pain assessment, welfare practices, fear free handling, and safe restraint across diverse and complex cases.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, communities, and veterinary teams by showing professionalism, empathy, adaptability, and inclusive practice that values equity, diversity, and cultural safety.
- Demonstrate clinical competence across core veterinary domains by using clinical reasoning and problem-solving to evaluate and perform nursing, diagnostic, anaesthetic and emergency procedures informed by research, technology, and best practice.