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Handling emergency cases can be both one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences as a veterinary professional.
The Emergency and Critical Care Nurse Program is designed to elevate your expertise and boost your confidence, empowering you to respond swiftly and effectively when dealing with emergency cases. This will not only enhance the clinical outcomes for your patients but also ensure they receive the best possible care.
Dive into a comprehensive curriculum tailored to expand your knowledge and skills in emergency and critical care nursing. Perfect for both general practice and emergency nurses and techs, this program focuses on the core principles of managing emergency cases and optimising patient care.
The modules cover the fundamental principles of emergency and critical care nursing. From triage to fluid therapy and anaesthesia to diagnostic imaging, this program will give you the skills and knowledge to approach medical emergency cases with confidence.
This program is the only course in Australia and NZ that is accredited training for the Nurse Certificate (NCert)/Veterinary Technician Certificate (VTCert) in Emergency and Critical Care. These qualifications are awarded by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS).
By completing the program content and ISVPS assessments, you will come away with your NCert or VTCert, meaning you can achieve an industry-recognised qualification while you study. Please note that ISVPS examination fees are not included in the course fees.
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Key Learning Objectives:
Describe the triage process and explain how it benefits your patients.
Classify the principles and practical aspects of critical patient monitoring.
Define the perfusion parameters and explain how these can be used to identify hypoperfusion and to monitor a patient’s response to treatment.
Implement the various mechanisms to assess perfusion and monitoring of clinical parameters, and be able to interpret their readings, including ECG abnormalities.
Recognise dypnoeic patients and assess them for their degree of respiratory impairment.
Discuss the causes of respiratory disease and state the various oxygen supplementation techniques.
Discuss the collection of arterial and venous blood samples for blood gas analysis and be able to explain their importance.
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
Key Learning Objectives:
Define the difference between hypovolaemia and dehydration and how they are treated using fluid therapy.
Recognise the importance of electrolytes and their role in homeostasis.
Describe the different types of intravenous fluids including crystalloids, colloids, and blood products.
Recognise the different types of shock: hypovolaemic, maldistributed, septic, cardiogenic.
Solve administration calculations for the correct administration: Constant Rate Infusions (CRI’s), Crystalloids, Colloids, and Blood products.
Describe the importance of how blood transfusions should be safely administered and describe the contraindications of blood transfusions, and their associated adverse reactions.
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
Speaker: Ludivine Boiron (DVM, MSc, DipECVECC, DipACVECC )
Key Learning Objectives:
Describe the correct preparation of the emergency patient for surgery.
Explain the importance of correct asepsis with preparing patients for Surgery.
Describe the pathophysiology behind gastric dilatation and volvulus, the emergency and surgical treatment options.
Explain the term septic peritonitis and haemoabdomen, the potential causes and surgical treatment options, discussing the nursing care of these patients.
Discuss the common important clinical signs associated with reproductive and pediatric/neonatal emergencies to include the pre-, intra-, and post-operative cesarean patient.
Describe the common ophthalmological emergencies, treatment, and nursing care.
Speaker: Thomas Towey (BVMS CertAVP(ECC) MRCVS Advanced Practitioner in Emergency & Critical Care)
Key Learning Objectives:
Identify common complications which can arise related to anaesthesia outcomes.
Describe anaesthesia of patients with respiratory disease.
Discuss the pathophysiology behind various cardiac diseases and how we may modify anaesthesia protocols for the cardiac patient.
Define the range of analgesics available, including opioids, NSAIDs, and local anaesthetics.
Recognise pain in companion animals and gain confidence in the use of veterinary pain scoring systems.
Speaker: Amy Homer (RVN MScVAA GradDipVN NCertACC PGCert Pain PGCert AP FHEA)
Key Learning Objectives:
Develop triage approaches in rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and small mammals.
Apply triage approaches to less familiar species: retiles and avian patients.
Recognise the anaesthesia & analgesia considerations in the emergency small animal patient.
Recognise the anaesthesia & analgesia considerations in the emergency reptile and bird patient.
Establish critical care techniques and nursing for the avian, reptilian and small mammal emergency patient.
Identify common emergency conditions of rabbits, ferrets and small mammals.
Identify common emergency conditions of the reptilian and avian patient.
Develop an approach to diagnosis and treatment of common toxins in the avian patient.
Review CPR in exotic patients.
Speaker: Prof. Simon Girling ( BVMS (Hons) DZooMed DipECZM(ZHM) EurProBiol CBiol FRSB FRCVS)
Speaker: Ludivine Boiron (DVM, MSc, DipECVECC, DipACVECC )
Key Learning Objectives:
State the priorities for stabilising and treating traumatic wounds and fractures on initial presentation and be able to implement effective assessment, lavage and debridement of wounds.
Explain the principles and practical aspects of the latest advanced wound dressings.
Identify how urinary trauma presents, and how patients are stabilised prior to surgery.
Describe the pathophysiology of head trauma and nursing requirements demonstrating use of the small animal coma scoring scale.
Identify how to deal with thoracic trauma patients and prioritise their treatment.
Understand the principles of ultrasound imaging and be familiar with how to set up and maintain the ultrasound machine and probes.
Employ the principles of POCUS scanning to triage emergency cases and identify specific equipment and materials required for ultrasound-guided procedures.
Explain the different radiographic techniques available, their pros and cons, and their uses in specific situations.
Evaluate radiographic image quality to ensure diagnostic radiographs are available for interpretation, demonstrating basic film reading, and be able to identify radiographic artefacts and faults.
Speaker: Ludivine Boiron (DVM, MSc, DipECVECC, DipACVECC )
Key Learning Objectives:
Describe the measures of caring/treating for a patient presenting with cardiac disease.
Classify the treatment of acute renal failure and the underlying causes of pre, renal and post-renal failure.
State the pathophysiology of endocrine and metabolic emergencies, including hypoadrenocorticism.
Discuss common poisons seen in companion animals list antidotes and treatments.
State the common acute medical gastrointestinal emergencies and discuss their treatment and management.
Describe the pathpathology of a ‘blocked cat’ and the available treatment options including the associated nursing care.
Classify laboratory sampling techniques, processing, storage, and data recording. Apply knowledge to using the microscope to examine blood smears, urinary sediment, and basic cytology.
Classify the most common neurological emergencies and their initial treatment.
State the most common hematological abnormalities and their treatment.
Discuss the treatment and nursing considerations of a patient with pancreatitis.
Speaker: Victoria Maund (BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN, Dip HE CVN, VTS (SAIM), Cert VN ECC, PGCert Vet Ed., RVN)
Key Learning Objectives:
Classify the requirements and management of recumbent patients.
State the nutritional requirements of trauma and critical care patients.
Explain the different techniques for administering enteral nutrition to patients including:
Nasogastric tubes
Oesophagostomy tubes
Gastrostomy tube
Identify and explain the use of Total parenteral and Partial parenteral Nutrition is used.
Explain how to manage a variety of catheters and drains in an aseptic manner including urinary catheters, thoracic drains, and tracheostomy tubes.
Perfect your knowledge of the importance of maintaining effective infection control protocols when dealing with critical patients in order to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
Speaker: Ludivine Boiron (DVM, MSc, DipECVECC, DipACVECC )
Key Learning Objectives:
Discuss the new approach to veterinary CPR and implement effective CPR within a team.
Demonstrate correct suturing techniques relevant to emergency patients including tracheostomy tube placement and thoracic drain placement.
Describe and demonstrate the techniques for administering/supplementing oxygen, including placement of nasal oxygen cannulas and transtracheal oxygen administration.
Interpret and explain the correct placement of various feeding tubes, including nasogastric and oesophagostomy tubes.
Discuss the role of the veterinary nurse and end-of-life care of a patient.
Speaker: Elle Haskey (RVN BSc(hons) PGCert FHEA VTS(ECC) VPAC A1)
Prof. Simon Girling is currently Head of Veterinary Services to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh Zoo. He also runs a referral service in exotic species and has been appointed as a Professor by the University of Highlands and Islands. He gained his European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management) and European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management) status in 2012; his RCVS Diploma in Zoological Medicine in 2002 and his RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine status in 2003. Simon is:
I graduated in 2008 from the Veterinary School of Lyon in 2008, I then continued my training by performing a rotating internship at the same place and stayed for a further three years working in the ICU as a clinical instructor. After this period, I spent two years in various private practices working as an emergency doctor and travelled for three months in the United States to perform externships. From March 2014 to June 2015, I completed an emergency and critical care internship at the University of California UC Davis and then an ECC residency at the University of Pennsylvania UPenn from 2015 to 2018. After successfully completing my board exam in September 2018, I moved to UK to work in Birmingham, as an ECC specialist and head of service and internship director of Willows Referral Centre. Since August 2021, I am finally back home, working in the South of France as the head of the ECC service in a Referral centre in ‘Centre Hospitalier Languedocia’.
Amy qualified in 2008 and after some time in referral nursing, she returned to a head nurse/ clinical team leader role in a busy first opinion practice in Bristol. She is currently a Lecturer in Veterinary Practice (Anaesthesia), at Bristol University, Langford. She enjoys all aspects of nursing, but has a special interest in anaesthesia and analgesia, having completed the NCert(A&CC), followed by the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing through the Royal Veterinary College. Amy holds a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia through Edinburgh University and is currently studying towards a second Master’s degree in the Clinical Management of Pain, again through Edinburgh University. Amy Holds a teaching qualification (Associate fellowship in higher education) and is also currently studying towards a post graduate certificate in academic practice.
Tom Towey, BVMS CertAVP(ECC) MRCVS Advanced Practitioner in Emergency & Critical Care, graduated from The University of Glasgow in 2011 and began working in emergency practice at Petmedics, Manchester. He gained his Advanced Practioner status in 2018 and now works as an ECC clinician at Vets Now Referrals Manchester. Tom delivered CPD at conferences around the UK.
I qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1996 and continued to work at the PDSA before moving to a mixed practice as Head Nurse and Clinical Coach in Worcestershire. In 2001, I took some time out to raise two fantastic children. I missed the buzz of the veterinary practice and returned full circle to my original training practice, where I undertook the Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing and an Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Joining Willows in 2011 I worked as a lead medicine nurse and quickly developed a strong interest in blood transfusions and endocrine disorders, this inspired me to undertake a BSc (Hons) Clinical Veterinary Nursing achieving a first class honours degree. In 2015 I gained my VTS (SAIM) and then undertook the Veterinary Nursing Certificate in Emergency Critical Care in 2017. More recently I have gained PGCert Veterinary Education.
Full Payment Upfront: Total payable AU$4,725 inc GST.
ISVPS registration & examination fees are not included in this price.
AU $500 initial deposit will secure your place. The full balance of fees ($4,225) must be paid prior to the program start date (no program access will be granted until full payment is received).
All prices are inclusive of compulsory 10% GST.
ISVPS registration & examination fees are not included in this price.
Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings.
Please find the terms and conditions here.
You need to have achieved your primary vet nurse or vet tech qualification to be eligible to enrol and undertake the program and ISVPS exams.
Nursing Programs – you must hold a recognised Veterinary Nurse qualification (e.g Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing).
Vet Tech. Programs – you must hold a recognised Veterinary Technician/Technologist qualification.
These programs are postgraduate study and require learners to have a sound knowledge of veterinary nursing, including basic anatomy and physiology.
Proof of qualification will be required by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies to sit the exam. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the program.
You can enrol directly via our website, from the program page. Our team will invoice you for the program and once agreed fees are paid, you can join the global program. Please reach out to the team at [email protected] if you have any questions on how to do this.
As a private education provider, Improve Veterinary Education Australia is not part of the national HECS scheme.
Payment plans are done on a case by case basis and program access is given only after ALL enrolment fees are paid. Please be aware any payment plans incur additional fees.
Most delegates complete the program within a 12–18-month time period (depending on course start and assessment dates). Delegates have 3 years access to taught modules from program start date.
An additional 52 hours of self-study over most programs is recommended. You will also require access to journals and articles via an internet library service.
Online Nursing/Tech program candidates have access to the RCVS Knowledge Library. Delegates will be required to register via the online learning platform once they are enrolled in the program. Other internet library services are available (e.g. PubMed; Google scholar) which may incur an additional registration fee.
Any deferral requests are considered on a case by case basis by the UK Improve Veterinary Education Team, who manage the Online Programs. If deferral is agreed, it will include additional administration fees and charges. Specific modules of the program can not be deferred.
Yes, we do accept limited late admissions (subject to availability). If you join late, you will be required to catch up on the module content that you have missed. Please be aware that although discussion forums can be access after the module is finished, the Specialist Tutors are only available for questions during the month their module is being delivered.
The majority of the NCert/VT Cert programs are a minimum of 100 CPD hours (approximately 48 hours of delivered sessions and 52 hours self-study time).
Please note that the CPD hours depend on the number of modules, which can vary. Check the program details on the specific webpage.
Yes, the CPD points allocated to any programs that are RACE approved are eligible to count towards the 20 CPD points that are required annually by Vet Nurses/Technicians to keep their AVNAT registration.
The content for the Nurse/V Tech Online Programs covers the global syllabus for the ISVPS Certificates.
This means there is material in the program that may be referable to UK/Europe and other regions. All program materials are accessible for the ISVPS qualification.
No, you don’t need to be available at the time of the webinar. Any live content is recorded and can be watched at any time. This gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, and to structure your learning around your busy work and life schedules.
The NCert / VTCert is the ISVPS postgraduate qualification awarded to veterinary nurses / technicians who successfully complete the accredited training program from Improve Veterinary Education and complete the required ISVPS assessments for the Certificate.
To obtain either the NCert or VTCert delegates will be required to:
For the most up-to-date information on the ISVPS assessments for the NCert/VTCerts please contact ISVPS directly at [email protected] or visit the ISVPS website.
Registration and associated assessments with ISVPS are optional but strongly encouraged.
Delegates who choose NOT to register with ISVPS will receive an acknowledgement of their ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) hours from Improve Veterinary Education.
Delegates ARE NOT eligible to receive the postgraduate qualifications (NCert or VTCert) in their chosen discipline, without fulfilling the ISVPS requirements.
Registration is made directly with ISVPS once you are enrolled in the Online Learning Program. ISVPS contact details will be shared so you can complete their registration forms and pay the associated fees direct to ISVPS.
ISVPS registration fees are NOT included in the Improve Veterinary Education Australia program fees.
