ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
ANIMAL HEALTHCARE TEAM

A multidisciplinary animal healthcare team helps ensure a thriving veterinary workforce that prioritises patient/relationship centred care.

Veterinary Nurses/Technicians

Veterinary nurses/technicians/technologists are veterinary professionals. There are a few things that set them apart from other members of the healthcare team:

1. Use of the title veterinary nurse or veterinary technician/technologist is not protected by law in New Zealand, but voluntary regulation guidelines and international naming conventions make it clear that the term veterinary should only be used by those who have gained a formal qualification that includes that term (See Title Protection for more on this). These professionals usually work within veterinary clinics and hospitals, or are closely affiliated with veterinary practices, or they work under the direction of a veterinarian in some other capacity.

2. The veterinary nurse role and scope of practice in New Zealand (2 year diploma, or 3 year degree in veterinary nursing) is considered roughly equivalent to the North American veterinary technician (2-3 year degree) and veterinary technologist (4 year degree), as well as the UK veterinary nurse (2-3 year degree). The Massey University New Zealand trained veterinary technologist (3 year degree) is also considered an equivalent role.

3. As professionals, veterinary nurses/technicians/technologists are educated to a high level and carry skills that are beyond laypersons. They are responsible for their own conduct, and continuing education and they are guided by professional standards of conduct and Scopes of Practice. They generally have a high level of responsibility and autonomous decision-making about nursing care and interventions. The scope of practice for people with these formal qualifications extend to almost anything in the healthcare environment outside of the areas that are exclusive to veterinarians (as outlined below), under delegation of, or collaboration with, a registered veterinarian who is ultimately responsible for the patient’s care.

1. Professional allied animal health practitioners have a formal qualification at level 6 diploma, or equivalent and carry skills that are beyond laypersons. As with other veterinary professionals, they are responsible for their own conduct, and continuing education, and they are guided by professional standards of conduct and scopes of practice. Examples include registered veterinary physiotherapists, and registered rural animal technicians. In the future, NZ will have registered animal rehabilitation technicians, and equine dental technicians who will also meet this criterion.

2. Paraprofessional allied animal health practitioners either have a formal qualification at level 4-5 certificate, or they may have been trained on the job. They carry skills that are beyond laypersons. Registration (regulation) is not required for paraprofessional roles, but some voluntary regulation processes are available to enhance professionalism.

3. The versatility of allied animal healthcare roles encompasses work in a range of environments from within veterinary hospitals and clinics to farms, referral centres, home care, and more. The context of the work depends on the qualification, for example animal rehabilitation technicians primarily work within veterinary clinics, whereas equine dental technicians typically work independently doing remote work on farms.

4. Allied animal healthcare practitioners usually carry the title of technician, such as equine dental technician, animal rehabilitation technician, rural animal technician, dairy technician, or artificial breeding technician, among others.

1. The animal healthcare assistant qualification (previously known as veterinary nursing assistant in NZ) is an entry level healthcare qualification that takes roughly a year, fulltime, to complete. Completion of the qualification fulfils entry criteria to many allied animal health and veterinary professional qualifications currently on the New Zealand Qualifications framework.

2. The animal healthcare assistant is the foundation member of the team, performing routine care for boarding and hospitalised patients, assisting with upkeep of the clinical environment, and supporting patient care by assisting veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

3. The role is very well established internationally and known by the following titles:

   • Animal nursing assistant (UK)

   • Veterinary care assistant (UK)

   • Veterinary assistant (Canada/ USA)