PATIENT CARE Assistant (PCA)

Practical Skills Days

Are you ready to grow your skills, confidence, and contribution within the veterinary team? Our hands-on Practical Skills Days are designed specifically for Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) who want to develop their clinical abilities in a supportive and practical learning environment. Whether you are new to the role or looking to enhance your existing skills, these CPD courses will help you build confidence and make an even greater contribution to patient care within practice.

PCAs are a vital part of the veterinary team, providing essential support to both patients and clinical staff. These practical training days are designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to excel in your role. Each course combines interactive teaching, practical demonstrations, and hands-on learning to ensure you leave with skills you can immediately apply in practice.

Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
Lunch: Included
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Build Confidence. Strengthen Skills. Elevate Your Role.
Nurse and cat in a practice
Practical Skills Day

First Aid and Emergencies

Develop the confidence and practical skills needed to support veterinary teams during emergency situations and patient care procedures.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have gained:
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  • Confidence in communicating effectively with clients and clinical staff
  • An understanding of your role in triage and first aid for in-patients
  • An understanding of your responsibilities during emergency situations
  • Practical knowledge of first aid preparation for a variety of emergency cases
  • An understanding of patient admission and discharge procedures
  • An understanding of performing routine health checks
  • Confidence in handling patients safely for procedures and treatments


Course Benefits

This practical day will help you:
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  • Build confidence when supporting emergency cases
  • Develop a greater understanding of patient care pathways
  • Improve communication and teamwork within the veterinary practice
  • Enhance your ability to support clinical staff during emergencies
Sign me up!
Practical Skills Day

Diagnostics and Anaesthesia

Develop key laboratory, anaesthesia, anddiagnostic imaging skills that are essential for supporting high-qualitypatient care.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have gained:
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  • How to set up and use a microscope and identify common parasites
  • Urine analysis, including the use and interpretation of refractometers and dipsticks
  • How to set up an anaesthetic machine and identify commonly used anaesthetic circuits
  • Patient positioning techniques for radiography
  • Health and safety requirements when preparing for and assisting with radiographs


Further Outcomes
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You will also:
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  • Gain confidence in core laboratory techniques
  • Develop a clear understanding of anaesthetic equipment and preparation
  • Build your ability to assist with safe and effective radiography practices
  • Strengthen your contribution to the veterinary team through improved practical competence and professional confidence
Sign me up!