Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma - CPD Accredited

Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma - CPD Accredited

This course will give you an overview of the veterinary industry, the role played by Veterinary Support Assistants (VSAs), and the most common issues and challenges faced by those working in the profession. It will equip you with the knowledge you will need to communicate effectively with other members of the veterinary team and further your career in this sector.

Working as a VSA is a great way of making a real difference to the lives of sick and injured animals on a daily basis. However, the terminology and technical knowledge required to succeed as a VSA can seem intimidating to industry newcomers. This course presents key concepts in animal care in a straightforward manner, so that you can begin your career with confidence. You will also obtain a working knowledge of key legislation necessary to keep you and your patients safe.

From administering first aid to routine surgery, you will learn what happens in the consultation rooms and operating theatres in a typical veterinary practice. The course addresses patient care at every stage of treatment, from diagnosis to surgery and post-operation recovery. It focuses primarily on the treatment of common domestic species, but the needs of exotic animals and horses are also addressed.

In light of the increasing emphasis on customer service within the industry, the course also examines the typical customer’s experience as they seek out the best possible care for their pet. Owners can become highly stressed when their beloved pet is ill, and this course contains practical advice for communicating effectively with customers facing emotional strain both in person and on the telephone.

This course will provide anyone looking to work as a VSA with a realistic insight into the workings of a veterinary practice and future options for career progression. It will also be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about animal care or further their knowledge of the veterinary industry in general.

** When purchasing this course you will be eligible to apply for the XO Student Discount Card!! You can save on brands such as New Look, Disney, ASOS, Hotels, Miss Selfridge , Domino’s and many more.**

What you will learn:

• An introduction to veterinary medicine and job roles available within the industry
• How to improve your chances of getting a job as a VSA and how to undertake further training once you have obtained a position
• Health and safety issues that affect VSAs including the pieces of legislation addressing animal welfare and workplace safety
• How veterinary patients are cared for and monitored by veterinary staff during their stay
• An overview of animal welfare issues, including common ethical dilemmas and frameworks for making difficult decisions
• Common terminology and equipment used by veterinary staff in consultations and during surgery
• The most common procedures, including diagnostic tests, used in veterinary medicine
• How to handle a variety of animal species, including cats, dogs, horses and small mammals
• How emergency situations are handled, from initial assessment through to the administration of first aid and treatment
• The role of customer service in a modern veterinary surgery and how a practice can establish a positive role within the wider community

Benefits of taking this course:

• You can learn the material any place, any time, and at your own speed.
• All you need is an internet-enabled device.
• Content is presented as brief modules, making learning easy. Access to an online support system.
• A complete overview of the issues faced by those working as VSAs in modern veterinary practices.
• Affordable cost.

Course Modules/Lessons

Module 1: Introduction To The Veterinary Industry

• The key purposes and functions of a veterinary practice
• A brief history of veterinary medicine
• Why it is important to understand the role of each member of a veterinary team
• An overview of the most common roles within a practice, including the necessary qualifications and main responsibilities

Module 2: Qualifications For Veterinary Support Assistants

• The entry requirements for entering into the veterinary profession as a veterinary support assistant (VSA)
• Why it is beneficial to pursue a formal qualification
• The most popular qualifications open to VSAs
• The main areas covered by VSA qualifications

Module 3: Health And Safety Laws And Regulations

• Why you need to be aware of health and safety laws and legislation from the outset of your career in the veterinary industry
• The purposes of health and safety legislation
• The nature and purpose of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
• The nature and purpose of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Module 4: Care and Monitoring of Inpatients

• Why a VSA should be familiar with the techniques used to monitor inpatients
• The assessment process for newly admitted patients
• How veterinary staff ensure that inpatients are given the opportunity to have their usual day to day needs met
• The most commonly monitored measures of health, such as temperature and blood pressure

Module 5: Animal Health And Welfare

• What is meant by animal welfare and why it is important to consider the practical and philosophical issues raised by the topic
• The nature and purpose of the Five Freedoms model approach to animal welfare
• The meaning of the term “stakeholders” in relation to animal health and welfare
• The role of ethics in maintaining animal health and welfare

Module 6: Key Veterinary Terminology And Equipment

• Why VSAs need to be familiar with common terminology and equipment
• Common prefixes used by veterinary professionals
• Common suffixes used by veterinary professionals
• The equipment most commonly used in a consultation room

Module 7: Common Procedures

• The purpose of anaesthesia and the ways in which it is administered
• The most common surgical procedures carried out by veterinary surgeons
• Diagnostic tests used in veterinary practice to identify health problems in patients
• The day to day practices that comprise nursing care and how they are carried out

Module 8: Animal Handling

• Why animal handling is a key skill for vets, RVNs and VSAs
• Essential points to bear in mind when handling dogs
• Essential points to bear in mind when handling cats
• How to handle small mammals, including hamsters and rabbits

Module 9: Dealing With Emergencies

• Why VSAs should be familiar with common emergencies arising in everyday veterinary practice
• The purposes and nature of first aid and who is responsible for its administration
• The importance of triage and initial assessment, in ensuring the best possible outcome for a patient
• An overview of emergency procedures, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), blood transfusions and the Heimlich Manoeuvre

Module 10: Customer Service In The Veterinary Practice

• Why customer service is an important skill for everyone working in a veterinary practice
• How the typical customer selects a veterinary practice
• How understanding the customer’s journey can help you deliver great customer service
• How to interact positively with customers on the telephone

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Our Course is fully compatible with PC’s, Mac’s, Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone devices. Now more than ever people are using the internet while on the move so our course has been designed to be fully compatible on tablets and smartphones so you can access your course on wifi, 3G or 4G.

There is no time limit for completing this course, it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

All tests are online and are taken either during or after the course, these are included in the price.

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