Start Date
- September 2024, Apprenticeship
Summary
Veterinary nursing is the supportive care of animals receiving treatment within a veterinary practice setting. 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).
This apprenticeship standard will develop the key knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need to succeed in the sector, supported by industry specialist teaching staff. This course is delivered from our Easton campus, and is suitable for new and current employees who are employed in an approved training veterinary practice.
On successful completion of this course, employers will have an independent skilled Veterinary Nurse who is both a practical and financial asset to the team.
We only deliver one course pathway for this apprenticeship: Small Animal. This apprenticeship is delivered at our Easton Campus and will run for 42 months. The next intake will be September 2024.
Entry Requirements
- All applicants must have GCSE at Grade 4 or above in Maths, English and Science and a further two subjects at grade 4 or above.
In order to enrol onto an apprenticeship, you need to be employed in a relevant job role and undertake a range of tasks which would enable you to complete the apprenticeship qualification.
Learning Outcomes
- Year 1 skills: Theory, practical, mock exams, CSL logging, assignment
- Year 2 skills: Theory, practical, mock exams, CSL logging
- Year 3 skills: Theory, practical, mock exams, CSL logging, assignments, OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)
Knowledge and behaviours of the occupational standard are embedded in the college delivery through theory classes, feedback and assessments.
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be awarded with a Level 3 Veterinary Nurse apprenticeship standard, which includes:
- Level 3 RCVS Accredited Licence to Practise Veterinary Nursing Qualification
Assessment
The apprentice will be ready for End Point Assessment (EPA) which includes:
- A 45- minute professional discussion with an independent assessor.
- A practical assessment consisting of 12 station Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), each lasting 8 minutes.
Progression
This course should support a learner’s progression which may include:
- The skills to further develop a specialism, such as Equine Veterinary Nursing
- Additional qualifications, such as the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing or Postgraduate Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Nursing, awarded by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
Career Progression
Successful completion of this course should provide the employer or wider sector with a skilled staff member.
There are opportunities to develop your career and specialise depending on the practice that you work in and your interests. For example, within referral practice, you could specialise in a specific type of nursing care, e.g. anaesthesia, rehabilitation, ward-care or diagnostics. Alongside the animal-related work, there are also options for you to progress and specialise in a managerial role such as a Practice Manager.
Fees
Apprenticeship course fees are subject to the age of the apprentice, and the size of the company
For employers with less than 50 employees who do not pay the apprenticeship levy and who take on an apprentice who is aged between 16-21 at the start of their apprenticeship, there will be no direct cost and the full training costs will be covered by Government funding. If the apprentice is aged 22+ the government partially subsides the training costs and the employer will need to pay 5% of the costs. In the case of this course, the fee would be £750.
For an employer with more than 50 employees a 5% charge will be implemented regardless of the age of the apprentice which in this case would be £750.
A levy paying company will pay the full cost of the apprenticeship from their levy account which in this case would be £15,000.
Please note that course fees are to be paid by the employer and apprentices must not be asked to make a financial contribution toward their training.
To discuss apprenticeship course fees in more detail or for more information on recruiting an apprentice, please contact 01603 773365 or Apprenticeships@ccn.ac.uk
