Veterinary Anaesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging & Emergency & Critical Care (VETS5028)

Course overview

Students develop their clinical reasoning and technical skills in the practice of veterinary anaesthesia/analgesia, diagnostic imaging and emergency and critical care of both small and large animals, by participating in activities within the School of Veterinary Science's clinical facilities.

VETS5028 is a four (4) week clinical rotation in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Gatton.

Two (2) weeks will be spent in Anaesthesia and Analgesia and one (1) week each in Diagnostic Imaging (DI) and Emergency and Critical Care (ECC).

After successful completion of this course, a student will be competent in:

• Sedation, anaesthesia and pain management of veterinary patients presented for routine procedures
• Radiography and interpretation of routine radiographs of common conditions in animals
• Assisting in the admission, stabilisation and subsequent management of veterinary patients admitted for emergency and critical care treatment

Competence will be gained through the combination of working on clinical cases under the supervision of experienced clinicians and through self-directed learning.

At times, students will be required to work overnight and on weekends.

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

VETS4010, VETS4022, VETS4034, VETS4035, VETS4040.

Restrictions

Enrolment is restricted to Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) students.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placement Schedule

Prior to enrolment in the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program, you will be allocated a schedule of Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements in UQ’s placement management system, InPlace. A condition of your enrolment in 5th year courses with a Clinical WIL placement requirement is the completion of all scheduled WIL placements, including internal and external WIL placements, as per your allocated InPlace schedule. Once published, variations to your InPlace schedule can only be approved by the School of Veterinary Science Chief Examiner via a Deferred Examination Request. Variation requests will be considered in line with the conditions outlined in the UQ deferred examination policy. Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland.

Acceptable grounds for a request to vary your schedule include:

• Medical grounds
• University-sanctioned commitments e.g., registered elite athlete/performer
• Compassionate grounds e.g., death or serious illness of a family member or close relative

Schedule variation requests will NOT be considered for the following reasons:

• Birthdays, weddings, and other cultural or social events
• Pre-booked holidays – you should not make any travel or vacation plans at any time during the full calendar year of the final year of your program

To request a change to your schedule, submit a deferred assessment request via mySI-net Requests and include documentary evidence of the reason for your request.

Pre-placement requirements

All students must complete the OHS modules on Blackboard before commencing rotations in the VMC. Additional timetable and induction information is available on Blackboard and should be reviewed by students prior to commencing their respective rotations.

The 2025ﾠyear will commence on the 6th of January 2025.

Anaesthesia and Analgesia Sub-Rotation:

The rotation program will be available for review on Blackboard. You will also be emailed your specific schedule/information the week before the rotation starts. Students will participate in an after-hours On Call roster for this rotation. This will be scheduled with your peer group on the first day of rotation.

Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Sub-Rotation:

The rotation induction will be available for review on Blackboard. You will also be emailed your specific schedule/information the week before the rotation starts. The teaching material will be available on the Animal Imaging website (details on how to access will be provided).ﾠ

Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) Sub-Rotation:

You will be directed at the beginning of your 8 week Small Animal Hospital rotation (VETS5030) to when you will be rotating through ECC. Please be aware that some of these rotations will include overnight and/or weekend work. Please refer to the VETS5030 Blackboard site for scheduling details.

See Learning Activities > Additional Learning Activity Information for more information about Attendance and Absence.

Aims and outcomes

VETS5028 aims to enable students to become competent in the clinical practice of Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Diagnostic Imaging, and Emergency and Critical Care involving veterinary patients.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation

• Hurdle
• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

10%

Due date

Assessed during the 8-week SACR as part of Emergency and Critical Care.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Certificates for BLS and ALS completion must be uploaded through the course Blackboard page prior to the Recover Rescuer component of the assessment.

Additional details can be found on the course Blackboard page.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

If a student does not complete the Recover Rescuer component, they may be allowed an additional opportunity to complete this component when it runs at the next rotation.

Radiology Case Reports

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

15%

Due date

Assessed during the one week diagnostic imaging rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Submissions will be made through the course Blackboard site. Additional information on submission will be available in the course Blackboard assessment folder.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Radiography Positioning Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

5%

Due date

Assessed during the one week diagnostic imaging rotation.

Other conditions

Student specific, Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Anaesthesia Rounds Presentation

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

Assessed while on Anaesthesia and Analgesia clinical rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please refer to ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING Information > Attendance and absence

Anaesthesia/Analgesia Performance Assessment

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

30%

Due date

Assessed while on clinical rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Performance during the Anaesthesia rotation is calculated using several components. 

Students will submit the following items during their rotation: 

1. The 'Learning Plan Anaesthesia' is submitted before starting the first day of rotation and no later than the beginning of the 2nd day of rotation. 

2. The 'Portfolio self-review (mid) Anaesthesia' is submitted by the Friday morning of the 1st week of the rotation.  

3. The 'Portfolio self-review (end) Anaesthesia' is due by 8am the Monday following the end of the Anaesthesia rotation. 

4. The 'Performance Feedback (Anaesthesia)' forms are completed at the end of each anaesthetic case. Each anaesthetic case that students contribute to should have a form submitted. 

The Performance Feedback Form includes a self-evaluation of performance and a self-assessed grade after each anaesthetic case. These forms are submitted to the anaesthetist who supervised the case for feedback. The rubric for daily performance assessment forms is comprised of 5 equally weighted categories (Knowledge base; Clinical skills; Technical skills; Professional skills, and Communication). Each category has three performance marks (0/Does not meet standard; 1/Meets standard; 2/Exceeds standard). The rubric has a total of 10 possible marks. An average of all daily performance marks is calculated at the end of the rotation. This calculation will contribute half (50%) of the rotation performance marks.

At the end of the rotation, the course coordinators will complete the Portfolio Review (end) by Course Coordinator. This form (appended) accounts for the other 50% of rotation performance marks. 

Students must score at least a “Meets standard” (a mark of "1.0") in all categories of the course coordinator global performance rubric to pass the rotation. Students who score a “Does not meet standard” ("0") for any category in the course coordinator global performance rubric will be required to undertake a “Formalised additional learning plan” (FALP). See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for details on FALP procedure.

A table summarising the assessment components that contribute to the SACR Performance grade, and examples of grade calculations, can be found on the VETS5028 Blackboard site under 'Assessment.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING Information > Attendance and absence

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Emergency and Critical Care Performance Assessment

• Hurdle

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

10%

Due date

Assessed while on clinical rotation

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Students will complete a "Performance Feedback Form ECC" after each ECC shift; the form includes a self-evaluation of performance and self-assessed grade. These forms are then submitted to the clinician who supervised the shift so that the self-assessment (grade) can be confirmed or adjusted as part of the feedback and review process. At least THREE Performance Feedback Forms must be submitted. The rubric of daily performance assessment forms (attached) is comprised of five equally weighted categories (Knowledge base, Clinical skills, Technical skills, Professional skills and Communication). Each category has three performance marks (0/does not meet standard; 1/meets standard; 2/exceeds standard). The rubric has a total of 10 possible marks. An average of all Performance Feedback marks is calculated at the end of the rotation and will contribute entirely (100%) of the rotation performance mark. The course coordinator will be responsible for adjudicating performance discrepancies between assessors and providing a final mark. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING Information > Attendance and absence

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Capstone Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

Second End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Attendance and absence

Attendance is required at all rostered shifts during each clinical rotation, and forms part of the professionalism criteria on the assessment tasks for each rotation.

• Students are expected to remain until all cases are up-to-date and treated.
• Students must take appropriate breaks as required (at least 10 minutes’ break every two hours) to ensure health and wellbeing.
• Students should check with their rotation supervisor prior to taking a break or leaving for the day.

 All students MUST follow the instructions in the Learning Activities > Additional Learning Activities Information section of this course profile to notify of any absence

Grade calculations

When rounding final marks for grade calculations, part marks of <0.5 will be ROUNDED DOWN to the nearest whole number, and part marks of >/= 0.5 will be ROUNDED UP to the nearest whole number. 

To pass VETS5028

• A minimum mark of 50% is required in each global performance category (knowledge base, clinical skills, technical skills, professionalism, and communication) on the "Portfolio Review (End) by Course Coordinator" for Anaesthesia.ﾠ
• A minimum 50% overall in each performance category on "Performance Assessment" ECC.
• A minimum 50% for Radiology Case Reports
• A minimum 50% Radiography Positioning Exam
• Complete the ALS and BLS online RECOVER certification

Rotation Performance Assessment and FALP 

Students who receive a “Does not meet standard,” in any category, will be required to undertake a “Formalised Additional Learning Plan” (FALP). A FALP is tailored to the individual student to provide opportunities to improve on and/or demonstrate achievement of the learning objective not met in the performance assessment. ﾠ 

• The FALP may include a repeat of up to 50% of the total rotation time for students who receive a “Does not meet standard” in one or two categories and up to 100% for students who receive a “Does not meet standard” for more than two categories. 
• FALPs may also include clinical case scenarios, written assignments, HUB skills demonstrations, or oral viva-type examinations. ﾠ 
• Upon completion of a FALP, and demonstration of satisfactory performance the mark in that category, the mark in the related category may be adjusted to no greater than 1.0 ("Meets standard"). 
• If the remediation is judged, by the course coordinator, to be unsuccessful, it remains a “Does not meet standard”, the grade remains a zero in that category,ﾠand the student will formally fail the rotation and the course. Students who fail the course may be eligible for a supplementary assessment. 

Details of the FALP will be recorded in the online marking platform, written by the Course Coordinator in collaboration with the student. It will clearly state the deficiency, remediation required and time commitment. The student, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, will be booked in for additional learning as required by the plan by the SVS administration team. The plan should be completed, if possible, no later than one week before the final grade upload for graduation in the current year. Students must make themselves available when additional learning is offered.  

If the plan cannot be completed before grade upload, students will be awarded an INC (Incomplete grade) and may miss graduation for that year. 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes. 

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment

Additional assessment information

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Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The VETS5028 Blackboard site has a large amount of learning material under 'Learning Materials'. Students should review this information before commencing rotations.ﾠ

SWS + UQU

Maintaining a work-life balance and seeking help early is crucial for successful university studies. UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) and the Student Union (UQU) offer numerous resources for UQ students. Student Services provides various mindfulness programs and counselling services to boost confidence and improve overall physical and mental wellbeing. UQU also offers a range of support, welfare, and wellbeing resources.

For immediate assistance, please call the 24/7 UQ Counselling and Crisis Line at 1300 851 998.

The Hub

The Student Clinical Skills Hub is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art self-directed learning facility located centrally in the School (John Mahon (8105), Room 101) with two main areas and an online resource community available for all veterinary students.

The Hub has a lab where students can practice their clinical skills using standard veterinary equipment, on simulators and/or models in conjunction with supporting audio-visual resources and a smaller communications suite with two working consult rooms, a viewing room and a debriefing space.

The Hub aims to provide a safe, authentic, self-directed learning environment where students can practice their clinical skills according to their competence, beyond the scheduled contact hours of their programs and further enhance their capacity for self-directed, lifelong learning. As BVSc5 students, you will have swipe card access to the Hub from 6am-10pm, 7 days a week from December of BVSc4. See the Hub's Blackboard organisation for induction and OH&S requirements for access.

If you cannot access the community or have other questions, please get in touch with the Hub Coordinator via svs-hub@uq.edu.au or ext 15046.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Attendance at Clinical WIL placements

Clinical WIL placements are a compulsory component of the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program. Attendance at all Clinical WIL placements as per your InPlace schedule is expected, and full attendance is required to be eligible to pass the course. The requirements for attendance will be communicated via the course Blackboard site and shift times will be advised by the Course Coordinator / Rotation Supervisor (internal placements) or the Placement Supervisor (external placements).

Absence from clinical placements

Attendance at a clinical placement is treated in the same way as a course assessment item. Acceptable reasons for absence from clinical placement are in line with the Acceptable reasons for an extension to the assessment due date.

In the event you are unable to attend a clinical placement due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, you must take ALL the following steps:

1. Notify your placement site prior to your shift start time by phone or email; AND
2. Email the relevant Course Coordinator and svs-studentabsence@uq.edu.au prior to your shift start time; AND
3. Submit documentary evidence for your absences (i.e., medical certificate, statutory declaration) no more than 48 hours from when the absence has occurred to svs-studentabsence@uq.edu.au.

Rescheduling missed day/s

To make up for the lost time resulting from your absence to meet the placement requirements of your course, the following options are available and will depend on the duration/timing of your absence.

Option 1: Make up day/s

If it is possible to schedule and complete the required make up day/s within the existing dates of the scheduled placement, this can be arranged directly with your Placement Supervisor/Course Coordinator and ‘resolved’ within the scheduled placement.

Option 2: Extension

If it is not possible to schedule and complete the required day/s within the existing scheduled dates, you must apply for an extension to your placement dates via the my.UQ Extension to Assessment Due Date process to arrange for the make up day/s to be scheduled at a later time.

If approved, the SVS Placements Team will liaise with the placement site and adjust your InPlace schedule as required. Where possible*, the make up day/s will be scheduled to occur within a holiday period in your schedule.

Option 3: Deferral

If you are absent for the entire scheduled placement or have missed enough day/s to require rescheduling of the entire placement, you must apply for deferral of your placement via the mySI-net Deferring an exam process, to be considered by the SVS Chief Examiner.

If approved, the SVS Placements Team will liaise with the placement site and adjust your InPlace schedule as required. Where possible*, the deferred placement will be scheduled to occur within a holiday period in your schedule.

*Options 2 and 3: Possible delayed graduation

Scheduling make up days or deferred placements within the same academic year will depend on the capacity of the placement site (internal or external) and the student’s individual InPlace schedule.

In some cases, it may not be possible to schedule make up day/s or reschedule the placement prior to the end of year results release, which may result in delayed completion of the course and program requirements and potentially affect your eligibility to graduate.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Fitness to Practise Policy
• Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience Policy