• Course Level:Level 2

    Course Duration:1 Year

    Programme Aims

    The City and Guilds NPTC website will be able to give you detailed information about how to become a Veterinary Care Assistant: http://www.cityandguilds.com.

     

    Bicton College has successfully run Level 2 Veterinary Nursing courses for the last thirteen years. One of the benefits of this nationally-recognised qualification is that it allows learners to gain employment within a practice or related animal industry. Many learners progress on to the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme and then become fully qualified Veterinary Nurses.

    Successful completion of this programme will enable learners who have not previously achieved the necessary GCSEs (as stipulated by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) entry onto the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Programme. It also allows the development of fundamental knowledge for those who are below 17 years of age or who wish to work as reception or lay staff within a practice.

     

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    Entry Requirements

    Entrance to the course is by interview, and will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references. There are no formal qualification requirements, although all students enrolled on the course must be at least 16 years of age and already be working within a veterinary practice. Previous qualifications and experience will be taken into consideration.

    This course is suitable if you are:
    • A school leaver (at least 16 years of age) with insufficient GCSEs to register as a Student Veterinary Nurse
    • A school leaver with sufficient GCSE requirements, but not yet ready to undertake the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing course
    • A school leaver unsure of your chosen career but keen to work in an animal-related industry
    • Changing your career
    • Working within a veterinary practice
    • Seeking understanding of veterinary work without necessarily completing the full qualification, for example reception and lay staff. A choice of individual modules can be studied.
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    Course Structure

    Attendance is on a day release basis (9am–6pm on Thursdays), spanning 36 weeks from September to June. The GOLA on-line exams will take place at the end of each term.

     

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    What you will study

    • Administration and communication skills
    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Animal health and disease
    • Animal husbandry and handling
    • Basic pharmacy
    • First aid
    • Health and safety at work
    • Introduction to anaesthesia and surgical equipment
    • Introduction to employment issues
    • Introduction to radiography
    • Number application
    • Nursing skills
    • Nutrition Parasitology

    Plus:

    • Functional skills (Level 1/2 communication and number)
    • Portfolio completion support included as part of the course with emphasis during the final two weeks of the programme
    • Individual tutorial support scheduled throughout the programme
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    Assessment

    Successful completion of the Veterinary Care Assistant programme is dependent upon passing online examinations and practicals. There is continuous assessment of progress throughout the course via question papers.

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    Progression

    Successful candidates may progress to the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.

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