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Work-based Training in Veterinary Nursing

ELAN Communication is registered to deliver the following qualifications from the Veterinary Nursing Training Package:

  • Certificate II in Animal Studies
  • Certificate III in Animal Studies
  • Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
  • Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (Critical Care and Emergency)
  • Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (Dental)
  • Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (Surgical)
  • Diploma in Veterinary Nursing

ELAN Communication provides training services under the National Training Framework, a system that ensures that Australian industries have access to relevant and consistently high quality training. Individuals gain qualifications that are recognised throughout Australia. [Background information document: Vocational Education and Training in Australia Today]

In veterinary nursing, this system provides qualifications from the Veterinary Nursing Training Package. ELAN Communication helps you make the most of work-based opportunities to learn. With the involvement of your employer, you can gain your qualification with less time required outside work, and in the way that suits you and your employer best. The system does not require huge amounts of time from employers. It merely formalises the process of training and evaluation that they have probably been providing for years in coaching and monitoring the progress of employees.

ELAN Communication plans and sets up the system, to ensure that the learning needs of each individual are met in the best possible way.

Steps to Your Qualification

  1. The pre-enrolment meeting: ELAN Communication discusses with you and your employer (or delegate) the way in which the system works. Your employer is briefed about the role of the workplace evaluator, and the support available for this role. We discuss with you and your employer the options for qualifications, to ensure that the training best suits you and your workplace. We discuss with you the options available from the training, making sure that you have every opportunity to receive credit for skills and knowledge that you already have. You then have the chance to think about whether you would like to seek credit towards any part, or even all, of the course. (If you have already been working in this or a similar job for some time, this may well be the case.) If you think that you would like to seek credit, we explain the procedure to you.
  2. Decision-making: You can either take time after the pre-enrolment meeting to think about your options, or you can choose to enrol immediately.
  3. Enrolment: When you enrol, we confirm the qualification and units of competence that you are undertaking. We discuss with you your learning style, so that we can make the learning activities as productive as possible for you. In consultation with your employer, we map out the best approach and sequence to the workplace training, so that you can make the most of the learning opportunities within the practice (including underpinning knowledge: don't forget, you don't need to learn all your theory from a book or a blackboard). We arrange to provide you and your employer with checklists that can be used in evaluating your workplace learning. After we see how much of your learning can be achieved on-the-job, we plan your off-the-job training to meet the rest of your needs. This is structured to complement your on-the-job learning. You have input to this planning as well. There are national learning guides that can be used, but you are encouraged to suggest additional or other activities that will help you to learn in the way that suits you best (activities, projects, seminars, etc). Don't forget, the aim is to make you a competent veterinary nurse: the path to achieving that can be as flexible as you like! We explain to you and your employer the assessment system, describing how we ensure that it is fair and valid. You have the opportunity to suggest anything that you think might help to ensure that the assessment process gives you the best opportunity to demonstrate your competence. We provide you with all the supporting information that you need to get started.
  4. The Training: You begin your training as an adult learner in control of your learning. You have been given the details of exactly what you need to achieve at each step of your training, and how you have agreed to do this. Your employer knows what you are focussing on in your training at each stage, so he or she is able to provide you with the best help towards this. You start working through the off-the-job training that has been agreed upon. ELAN Communication keeps in touch on a regular basis, by phone call, visit and for any specific off-the-job training sessions that are required. You are encouraged to contact ELAN Communication as often as you like, to discuss any facet of your training. Don't let things get on top of you. This training is about flexibility. It can be adjusted for speed of progress, method of delivery, anything that will give you the best chance to achieve your qualification.
  5. Assessment: Your employer evaluates your progress towards the units of competence that you are aiming for. This should blend naturally into your workplace activities. It gives the best chance for you to demonstrate your competence over the range of real situations that you are likely to encounter. Your employer records your evaluation in your competency record book. Between us, we agree when you are ready to have your formal assessment. We discuss what evidence is required in addition to your competency record book and learning guides; what will happen, what will be expected of you. You know in advance everything about the assessment. There are no traps or surprises involved. We are interested in whether you have become competent in your workplace activities; not in whether you are good at being assessed. If you achieve your unit of competence, this is recorded. If you don't, you are given help to pinpoint where improvement is needed. If you disagree with the outcomes of your assessment, you are encouraged to talk through your concerns. If you are still worried, you can follow formal grievance and appeal processes (supplied at enrolment).
  6. Qualification: When you've achieved all the required competencies, you receive your qualification as a certificate that is recognised throughout Australia. You and your employer may want to show off your success by entering you in the State Training Awards competitions that are held every year.
  7. Career Paths: ELAN Communication will advise you if you would like to know more about proceeding to further qualifications. The higher your qualifications, the better you are equipped for a variety of possible careers.

For further information, contact:
ELAN Communication
Kathi Eland or
Dr Julie Rimes D.Ed. (mobile 0419 594 206)
1st Floor, 11 Gregory Street, Sandy Bay Tasmania 7005
Phone: 03 6224 4799
Fax: 03 6224 4772
Email: elan@netspace.net.au