Veterinary Nurse
Occupation Overview
Providing expert nursing care for sick animals
Occupation
Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice. A veterinary nurse works as a member of the veterinary team, providing expert nursing care for sick animals. Veterinary nurses also play a significant role in educating owners on maintaining the health of their pets. They carry out technical work and are skilled in undertaking a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, under veterinary direction. Veterinary Nurses are registered professionals and work within the standards and scope of practice defined by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) http://www.rcvs.org.uk/about-us/the-role-of-the-rcvs/
Requirements: Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Skill
Legislation affecting practice
The veterinary nurse will comply with RCVS Day One Skills for veterinary nurses and be able to:
Work within the requirements of the health and safety legislation
Work within the requirements of the data protection legislation
Follow relevant operating procedures and manufacturers guidelines when using equipment, materials and pharmaceutical products
Communication
The veterinary nurse will comply with RCVS Day One Skills for veterinary nurses and be able to:
Communicate effectively, appropriately and accurately using a variety of methods
Conduct nursing clinics
Clinical skills
The veterinary nurse will comply with RCVS Day One Skills for veterinary nurses and be able to:
Prepare and maintain all areas of the veterinary practice at all times
Prepare records, equipment and resources
Work in a safe and effective manner
Manage and perform effective infection control procedures
Provide nursing support as required
Prepare, use, maintain, store and dispose equipment, pharmaceuticals and materials appropriately
Self-Management
The veterinary nurse will comply with RCVS Day One Skills for veterinary nurses and be able to:
Manage own performance and development
Take measures to improve performance and competence
Engage in continued professional and personal development
Use professional standards of practice to self-assess performance
Professionalism
The veterinary nurse will comply with RCVS Day One Skills for veterinary nurses and be able to:
Practise in accordance with the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct
Knowledge
Legislative compliance and regulatory requirements
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The RCVS Day One Competences for Veterinary Nurses
The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and its associated guidance
Organisational requirements and legislation related to a veterinary business and animal welfare
The aims of effective health and safety within a veterinary practice
Comparative functional anatomy for veterinary nursing practice
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
Anatomy and physiology in relation to veterinary nursing practice
Normal form and function of body systems in a range of species
The relationship between normal form and function and the effects of disorder in disease processes and the consequent nursing requirements of sick animals
Infection control in veterinary practice
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The role of infection in animal and human health
The principles of disease transmission in veterinary practice
The principles of disinfection and sterilisation
How to maintain personal hygiene especially in relation to cross-infection
The principles of infection monitoring and control
Materials, equipment and resources
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
Correct usage, handling, storage, maintenance and disposal materials, equipment, instruments and veterinary pharmaceuticals
The principles of record keeping
Veterinary Nursing Care
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The principles of medical veterinary nursing and support
The principles of surgical veterinary nursing and support including anaesthesia
The principles of pharmacology and administration of medication
Emergency and critical care
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The principles of first aid
The principles of nursing support and the triage, stabilisation and treatment of emergency patients
Nursing requirements of critically ill or injured animals
Intensive nursing care techniques and requirements for a range of species
Diagnostic techniques for veterinary nurses
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The principles of radiography and imaging techniques
How to take and process radiographs
How to handle and store diagnostic images
The function and use of laboratory equipment
How to collect, prepare and test pathological samples
How to prepare specimens for transportation
Communication
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The principles and methods of effective communication and their effect on client care
Factors affecting working relationships with clients and within the veterinary team
Self-Management
The veterinary nurse will require a comprehensive understanding of:
The principles relating to evidence based approaches to learning
Personal and professional limitations
How to seek and use feedback and advice
Behaviour
Work within legal and ethical limits
The veterinary nurse will abide by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary nurses and
Conform to approved procedures
Work ethically in veterinary practice
Accountability
The veterinary nurse will abide by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary nurses and
Work reliably to high standards
Adjust to change
Take responsibility for personal and professional behaviours and decisions
Develop and maintain effective working relationships
Communicate effectively including the use of empathy and sympathy where appropriate
Responsibility
The veterinary nurse will abide by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary nurses and
Maintain a professional appearance and follow Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols
Take responsibility for own development
Apply knowledge and skills effectively
Prioritise and plan work
Self-improvement
The veterinary nurse will abide by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary nurses and
Commit to learning and professional development
Identify and implement measures to improve performance and competence
Accept and act on constructive advice and guidance, seeking clarification to recognise own limitations
Entry Requirements
Statutory requirement - 5 GCSEs to include Maths, English and Science of grade C and above or equivalent.
Level
3
Duration
Typically 30 – 36 months
Qualifications
On successful completion of the End Point Assessment the learner will be awarded the RCVS – accredited Licence to Practise Veterinary Nursing qualification at Level 3
Link to professional registration
Students achieving this apprenticeship standard will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the RCVS
Review date
After 3 years
Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.
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