PROGRAMME REGULATIONS Programme Schedule New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology To be read in conjunction with Unitec Generic Certificate Regulations. 1. Programme Schedule This schedule applies to the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (NZCAT) (Level 5, 120 credits) with strand in Veterinary Nursing Assistant. 2. Programme Specific Admission 2.1 Specific Admission The General Admission requirements set out in the Certificate Generic Regulations do not apply to this programme; to be admitted to this programme, all applicants must: a. have completed 60 NCEA credits at level 2; and b. have a minimum of 12 NCEA credits in English at Level 2 and 12 credits in Maths at level 1; and 12 credits of relevant science at level 1; or c. have equivalent tertiary study. Students should be able to demonstrate previous experience working with animals, and an aptitude for working with the public. a. All applicants must spend at least three days in a veterinary clinic before applying for this programme. Applicants must supply a letter of recommendation from the veterinary clinic with their application. b. An aptitude for working with the public may include reference from an employer where the prospective student has worked with the public (e.g. retail), reference from a teacher attesting to social skills. c. Complete a self-declaration of criminal conviction(s) and any medical condition(s) that may prevent full participation in the programme; and d. Sign a consent form allowing a Ministry of Justice convictions database search by a third party (in this instance Unitec Institute of Technology). Any applicants with undeclared convictions identified will be referred to the Admissions Committee; and
e. Provide a completed medical declaration indicating there is no evidence of a medical condition that will impact on their ability to practice safely as a veterinary nurse assistant. 3. Selection Criteria a. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, the following selection criteria and processes will be used: apply before October 1 st hold academic qualifications at or above the minimum requirement for certificate entry hold academic qualifications in science have work, or other experience, in veterinary clinical or related animal organisation; can demonstrate a strong commitment to succeed on the programme. b. These criteria are not ranked in any order. Applicants who meet the maximum number of listed criteria will be the preferred candidates. 4. Selection Process a. The Programme Committee has delegated authority to the Programme Leader to select students for admission to the programme. b. Applicants may be invited to attend an interview. 5. Requirements for the Award of the Qualification 5.1 Course details: New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant) To be awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant) a student must have successfully completed 120 credits as set out in Table 1. Table 1: Requirements for the Award of the Qualification Course Level Credits Compulsory Elective Total 4 30 0 30 5 90 0 90 Total 120
Table 2: Course details: New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant) All courses are compulsory. Course No. Course Name Credits Level 4 NSCI4700 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology NSCI4703 Animal Business Studies 15 Level 5 NSCI5702 Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare NSCI5705 Animal Clinical Care 15 15 15 Prerequisites Corequisites NSCI5710 Clinical Animal Care Practicum 30 NSCI 5705 NSCI5711 Introduction to Veterinary Anaesthetic and Surgical Procedures NSCI5738 Animal Husbandry 15 5.2 Attendance 15 NSCI 4700 a. Students must attend 100% of NSCI5710 Clinical Animal Care Practicum. b. Attendance at practical assessments is as directed in the relevant course information. c. Students are required to produce a Special Assessment Circumstances (SAC) and relevant evidence for all coursework that is missed. 5.3 Practical Requirement Students must complete (shift work might be required): Highly Blended Delivery: a minimum of 40 hrs in the Unitec Veterinary Simulation Clinic and VetCare Unitec (or VetCare Grey Lynn); 200 hrs of experience required in a private external veterinary practice; On-site Delivery: a minimum of 160 hrs based in the VetCare Unitec (or VetCare Grey Lynn); 80 hrs of experience required in a private external veterinary practice. Summer School: a minimum of 130 hrs based in the VetCare Unitec (or VetCare Grey Lynn); 110 hrs of experience required in a private external veterinary practice 6. Credit Recognition and Exemptions a. Credit recognition will be determined on a case by case basis by the Programme Committee in accordance with Unitec s Credit Recognitions Policy. b. Students who hold the Unitec level 4 Certificate in Animal Management generic stream (enrolled 2016 or later) may apply and be granted credit recognition from CAM into the NZCAT-VNA, at the discretion of the programme committee, as shown in Table 3 below.
Table 3: Level 4 and 5 courses which may be credited from non-endorsed Certificate Animal Management into the NZCAT-VNA (total 75 credits) Levels Course No Course Title Credits 4 NSCI 4700 Vertebrate Anatomy Physiology 15 4 NSCI 4703 Animal Business Studies 15 5 NSCI 5702 Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare 15 5 NSCI 5705 Clinical Animal Care 15 5 NSCI 5738 Animal Husbandry 15 c. Students who hold the Unitec level 4 Certificate in Animal Management Canine Behaviour and Training (CAM-CBT) may apply and be granted credit recognition from CAM into the NZCAT-VNA, at the discretion of the programme committee, as shown in Table 4 below. Table 4: Level 4 and 5 courses which may be credited from Certificate Animal Management (Canine Behaviour and Training), Total 45 credits Levels Course No Course Title Credits 4 NSCI 4700 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology 15 4 NSCI 5703 Animal Business Studies 15 5 NSCI5702 Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare 15 d. Students who hold the Unitec level 4 Certificate in Animal Management Captive Wild Animals (CAM-CWA) may apply and be granted credit recognition from CAM into the NZCAT-VNA, at the discretion of the programme committee, as shown in Table 5 below. Table 5: Level 4 course which may be credited from Certificate Animal Management (Captive Wild Animals), Total 15 credits. Levels Course No Course Title Credits 4 NSCI 4700 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology 15 7. Assessment of Prior Learning Assessment of prior learning may be applied, at the discretion and conditions set by the Programme Committee and the Programme Leader in accordance with Unitec s Assessment of Prior Learning Policy. Guidelines for each APL are detailed in Table 6 below to ensure standards are met in line with the level and learning outcomes of the programme.
Table 6: Conditions for the Assessment Prior Learning Course No. Course Title Credit Conditions NSCI 4703 Animal Business Studies 15 Provide evidence of relevant experience in animal business and adequate communication skills. NSCI 5702 Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare 15 Provide evidence of relevant work experience NSCI 5710 Animal Clinical Care Practicum 30 Provide evidence of relevant work experience NSCI 5705 Animal Clinical Care 15 Provide evidence of relevant work experience NSCI 5711 Introduction to Veterinary Anaesthetic and Surgical Procedures 15 Provide evidence of relevant work experience NSCI 5738 Animal Husbandry 15 Evidence of animal husbandry skills 8. Assessment 8.1 Assessment basis a. All written assessment is achievement based using an 11 point grading scale. b. Requirements to pass individual assessment items within each course are detailed in the course outlines 8.2 Calculation of course grades a. Course grades will be determined by the mathematical aggregation of weighted assessment marks and reported according to the following scale: Table 7: Course Grades Grade Percentage Result A+ 90 100 Pass A 85 89 Pass A- 80 84 Pass B+ 75 79 Pass B 70 74 Pass B- 65 69 Pass C+ 60 64 Pass C 55 59 Pass C- 50 54 Pass D 40 49 Fail E 0-39 Fail b. Students may be awarded one of the following grades for a course if they meet the criteria described. Table 8: Grade Criteria Grade Meaning Criteria CR Credit The student has applied for and been awarded a credit Recognition recognition from another qualification
Grade Meaning Criteria DEF Deferred The course result has been deferred CTG Course Continuing For any course that runs for more than one semester where the student has not yet completed the final summative assessment R Restricted Pass The student has been awarded a restricted pass subject to the definitions within this schedule W Withdrawn If a student withdraws from a course after the 10% date of the course is completed and up to or at the 75% date of the course. No credits earned. DNC Did not complete 8.3 Conditions Applying to Restricted Passes A student has either withdrawn after the 75% date of the course has been taught or not attempted a compulsory item of assessment within a course. No Credits earned. a. The Programme Committee may award a restricted pass in a course that was narrowly failed and where the Programme Committee considers that marginal failure is compensated by good overall performance. b. Except in exceptional circumstances, no more than one restricted pass may be awarded to any student in this programme. 8.4 Submission and late submission of work a. Assignment work that is submitted after the due date, and does not have an approved extension or Special Assessment Circumstances application, will not be marked. b. Requests for extension of assignment submission must be made in writing on the correct Special Assessment Circumstances Form to the Course Co-ordinator at least 24 hours prior to the date of the assessment. This must be accompanied by a written justification and supporting evidence for the application to be considered. c. Formal application for Special Assessment Circumstances must be made to the Programme Administrator on the approved form no later than 5 working days after the due date of the summative assessment and must be accompanied by a written justification and supporting evidence for the application to be considered. 8.5 Re-sits and resubmissions a. The opportunity to resit an exam and/or resubmit a failed piece of work is at the discretion of the Programme Committee and should be offered at the point of course results ratification at the end of each semester. b. Unless in exceptional circumstances, only students who have a D course grade, and who have reasonably attempted all the assessment items and have the capacity to pass the course, with a C- grade on resit/resubmission, will be offered the opportunity to resit an exam or resubmit a piece of work. c. Students may only resit or resubmit one assessment item for each course and the overall performance of the student and/or Special Assessment Circumstances will be taken into account when offering resits and/or resubmissions. d. Students may only resit an assessment or examination to a maximum of two courses during any one academic year and/or at each level. e. The maximum mark awarded for a resit or resubmission of an assessment item is a C- (54%)
f. Dates for resit exams will be set by the Department. Dates for assignment resubmissions will be at the discretion of the Programme Leader g. The student must advise the Programme Leader in writing of their intention to resubmit or resit the assessment item within seven days of receipt of the opportunity notification. h. A fee will be charged to the student for each resit and resubmission. 8.6 Assessment in Te Reo Māori Students wishing to complete assessments using Te Reo Māori may do so as per Unitec s Assessemt in Te Reo Māori Policy. 8.7 Health and Safety requirements a. Students may be exposed to chemical, biological and mechanical hazards as part of their practical experience. As an employee with any organisation sponsoring practical experience, students are required to comply with requirements of the Health and Safety Employment Act (1992). b. It is recommended that all students ensure that they have current tetanus vaccinations. 9. Transitional Arrangements a. Students who have started but not completed either the Unitec Certificate in Animal Management (Animal Clinical Care) or the Unitec Diploma in Veterinary Nursing have 3 years to finish the qualification but will be offered the opportunity to transfer into the new qualification where applicable. b. Students who have successfully completed a level 4 course as listed in Table 8 below (left column) undertake a modified course of study where they will be required to complete an assessment event over a three week period to demonstrate competency at level 5. Students will be offered a tutorial session to explain the requirements of the required assessment. Upon successful completion of the assessment, the student will be eligible for credit recognition for level 5 courses as listed in the table below (4 th column). This transitional arrangement will expire at the end of semester 1, 2018.
Table 9 Old course Level Credit Transitional arrangements NSCI4705 Animal Clinical Care NSCI4710 Animal Clinical Care Practicum NSCI4711 Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 4 15 Step Up short course 4 30 Step Up short course 4 15 Step Up short course New course Level Credit NSCI5705 5 15 NSCI5710 5 30 NSCI5711 5 15 10. Commencement These regulations came into force in Semester 1, 2016.