Mentors are special and understand they need to give back to the industry. Just as others have done for them previously. AACI’s quality training system requires work placements be undertaken at an approved facility that has at least one qualified Mentor to supervise a student.

Each Mentor is required to register by completing the Mentor Registration form and then approval from AACI.

Mentors

• supervise and verify a student has performed tasks during their work placement.
• volunteer their time to guide a student through assessment tasks during their work placement at the approved Animal Care facility.
• assist students by demonstrating and instructing the necessary skills to perform a task. They observe and provide feedback on the progress of the student.
• verify practical workplace skills and knowledge of the student. As most of the practical assessments are performed on video, a Mentor is not involved in any formal assessment but rather they sign off on “Key Skills” work sheets once they are happy the student has performed the task competently.  This is all done online.

Each student shall record details of assessment tasks that they have undertaken in the workplace. A student will also be required to write up some case studies based on their time in the Facility. These must accurately reflect the student’s involvement in the case. A Mentor will simply be asked to sign a declaration to verify it is an accurate record of the assessment tasks undertaken by the student but they do not formally assess a student.

Who can be a Mentor?

The quality of our graduates is underpinned and safeguarded by the qualifications, skills and experience of our Mentors. They will guide and assist students in learning to develop real world skills during their work placement.

The minimum qualifications required to be held by a Mentor will depend on the course a student is enrolled in.

Exemplar 1. For a Certificate IV Veterinary Nurse Student requires the Mentor to be qualified as either a Veterinary Nurse or Veterinarian. 

Exemplar 2. For a Certificate I and II enrolled students your Mentor need only hold at least the same level of Animal Care qualification and have industry experience.

To ensure quality graduates are produced Mentors for students enrolled in the Certificate IV of Veterinary Nurses are required to be Veterinarians or qualified veterinary nurses who have volunteered their time. Mentor registration and approval last for a period of 2 years.

Online Mentor Registration

AACI online Mentor Registration is quick and simple.

You complete our online Mentor Registration form by simply clicking the responses available to the questions set out in the form.  This process ensures each Facility has all the right resources, equipment, caseload and quality of supervision to ensure a student is able to practice and perform the practical assessment to the required competency.

Mentor FAQs

Mentor Perks

Being a Mentor to a student is rewarding in itself. AACI recognises this contribution and shows its appreciation by offering a range of perks to all Mentors.

AACI perks include

• Certificate of Appreciation
• 50% discount on any of our practical workshops.
• FREE webinars to secure valuable CPD.
• 30% off any of courses.

AACI Mentor perks are available while you are a registered and approved student mentor, and have hosted students in the last 6 months.

Do Mentors assess students work?

Mentors at approved Animal Care facilities process guidance to students.  It is not mandatory that Mentors proof read student assessments. However, feedback from Mentors to students is greatly appreciated from veterinary professionals to ensure assessments are on track clinically.

Mentors electronically sign a Declaration that requires a quick read of the student’s assessments to confirm it reflects an accurate reflection of the student’s involvement.

How much time is required as a Mentor?

The amount of time required to be a Mentor shall vary depending on the student. Mentors should be passionate on passing on their knowledge and be open to learning.  Most Mentors end up getting more out of mentoring that they put into it.

Most mentors will spend several hours a week working with and supervising new skills, but then the student can work under indirect supervision.

AACI structured video assessments and checklists minimises other staff involvement, and our Key Skills are electronically signed and dated by Mentors.

Do Mentors need to be constantly around a Student?

No, if your workplace roster or an individual Mentor’s skill set, may require more than one person to fulfil this mentorship role then AACI requires that each Mentor be registered with us.  Most students may have 2 or 3 Mentors registered.  This helps to share the work load between the Mentors at a facility.

Also note that other staff may also be involved in training, but only approved Mentors can electronically sign off Key Performance Skills and Records of Observations Declarations.

Do students have to interact with clients?

AACI accepts this may be the preferred position of a facility – clinic.  AACI allows simulated role plays or scenarios instead of allowing students to interact directly with a clinic’s clients.

Access to the AACI website provides guidance on alternative solutions for many of the learning tasks. AACI wants to protect your clinic’s reputation at all times, ensure privacy laws are not broken and that training can be adaptable to your specific policies and procedures whilst still meeting course objectives.

What if the student isn’t right for your Clinic?

If at any time during the work placement you feel a AACI student is not an appropriate fit  for your particular clinic or causing staff issues, AACI understands your concerns and you are legally entitled to cancel this work placement.