Veterinary Care Support
This qualification is designed for those working in Veterinary Practice, in a veterinary care supporting role, this includes Patient Care Assistants (PCA), reception or other lay staff.
It will provide relevant practical skills and underpinning knowledge that will enable the learner to provide a good level of support to the Veterinary Nurse and Veterinary Surgeon. Furthermore, it may be used as a stepping-stone onto the VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) qualification, subject to additional entry conditions being met.
high level of support
October or April
12 - 18 months
What does a VCA do?
Patient Care Assistants help with the routine day-to-day husbandry and care of domestic and/or wild animals under guidance in a variety of different settings. The work can be carried out individually or the wider picture is supporting the Veterinary or animal care team
What do you need?
Students must be at least 16 years of age There are no formal or specific qualification or learning entry requirements for students undertaking this programme. Learners will be required to achieve level 1 or 2 English and Maths functional skills depending on current qualifications, which will be supported by CVTC prior to taking the end-point assessment and completing their apprenticeship.
See what's in store!
Embarking on your clinical career is an exciting journey, and we will be here every step of the way to support you.
Sign me up!Please complete an application form. You must complete a pre-assessment and attend an interview with the Centre (this can be completed online)
All paperwork is completed for registration with the awarding body. Learner journey starts here exciting!
On completion of this unit, the learner will be able to identify the key legislation that affects working practices in UK veterinary establishments.
On completion of this unit, the learner will be able to assist with care to animals in the veterinary environment
On completion of this unit, the learner will be able to maintain the veterinary environment, appropriate for the species presented.
On completion of this unit, the learner will be able to provide a variety of care for animals within the veterinary practice environment.
On completion of this unit, the learner will be able to have an understanding of the anatomy and physiology that underpins nursing care given in veterinary practice
On completion of this unit, the learner will be able to assist in the provision of nursing care to veterinary practice clients and their animals.
Once all assessments are completed and passed then students can be entered for the end point assessments.
Professional Discussion
A structured interview between the examiner and the student that includes competency based questions. This allows the student to demonstrate their knowledge of different scenarios through a structured discussion.
This is done and you are now a qualified Patient Care Assistant ready to start a new journey ☺
Do I need to be employed?
Learners must have a paid or voluntary placement within a Veterinary Practice and complete a minimum of 600hrs (excluding breaks, statutory holidays, annual leave or sickness) in order to fulfil the practical requirements of the qualification
How do I make a payment?
This course is funded through an Apprenticeship for anyone working in England 50% of the time. Smaller employers that do not pay into the levy will be asked to ‘co-invest’ for the payment of the tuition fees and this is currently 5% of the fees. Anyone that does not match this criteria can pay directly to the Centre in instalments (please contact the Centre for more details)
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What is a training practice?
An Approved Training Practice (TP) is a Veterinary Practice approved as an RCVS Training Practice where a Student Veterinary Nurse will be employed for a minimum of 30hrs per week in order to complete their practical training and their evidence for their eportfolio.
Become a training practiceLearn from
industry experts
CVTC team consists of industry professional Veterinary Nurses with several years of experience, including first opinion, referral nursing, locum Nursing, Head Nursing, practice management and behaviour.
Meet your tutors
What can I do with this qualification?
On successful completion of the End Point Assessment, the student will be qualified as a Patient Care assistant. This then provides further opportunities to progress in the following areas:
- Level 3 Veterinary Nurse Diploma – with the level 2 Patient Care Assistant qualification alongside GSCE Maths and English language of grade A*-C (or 9-4) or level 2 Functional Skills you will have the entry requirements for this course.
- Kennel/Cattery Assistant
- Pet Retail Assistant
- Animal Day Care Assistant
- Farm Park Assistant
Frequently asked questions
Typically, the course will take 12 – 18 months to complete; this includes the 12 months of theoretical training and the end point assessment.
The expected number of hours required by a student to complete this qualification is 840 hours.
This is a Further Education course at level 2.
Throughout the duration of the qualification, you will compile a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate practical application of learning in the work place, examples of assessments include-Written Tasks Assignments, reports, leaflets, handouts, case studies, projects, diagrams, definition sheets, written tests, posters, logs, letters, presentations, record of professional discussion, record of oral or written questions. Practical Tasks Assessor direct observations, observation checklists. The apprenticeship requires an End Point assessment; this assessment will be a professional discussion The leaner will attend lectures with our tutors for half a day every 4 weeks and must complete a minimum of 6hrs per week to fulfil the 20% Off the Job Training that you must complete as part of your Apprenticeship.
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We offer OSCE practical revision days for all Student Veterinary Nurses. This consists of practical tasks set for studentto undertake and the tutors to demonstrate the tasks.
View qualification
This qualification will provide you with the practical competence and underpinning knowledge required to join the RCVS Register as a Veterinary Nurse.
View qualificationThis qualification is designed for Registered Veterinary Nurses(RVNs) wishing to advance their knowledge and skills in practice nursing to amastery level beyond that of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)Day One Skills and Competences.
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