Author Archives: Alison German

Clinical Coach Updates – Nursing Progress Log and Tutorials

SAVN17
Clarification on how to complete Skill 1 (Plan, deliver and evaluate care for animals with a range of conditions) – student MUST address a minimum of four medical conditions. Of these four, the student MUST include a range of species, a range of patient ages and medical conditions: however students may address some or all of the other medical conditions listed.

Where the student does not address specific conditions, the clinical coach will record ‘student chooses not to undertake skill’, which will automatically light the four stars.

Reflective comments box
Some students are simply describing tasks in the reflective comments box; this misses the point of the box, which is to record reflection on performance (what was learned, what well, what didn’t etc). Clinical coaches must encourage students to reflect on their performance, which will help them to develop both their clinical performance and their learning skills.

Reading the guidance notes
It is apparent some clinical coaches and students don’t always refer to the guidance notes. These include the scope to be covered for relevant skills.
During the recent audit carried out by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) the following omissions have been identified:
Unit VN4 Applied animal welfare, health and husbandry for veterinary nurses Skill 1 Demonstrating correct techniques for handling and restraining animals for examination: Exotics – students MUST handle rabbits, birds, rodents and reptiles.
Unit VN9 Veterinary nursing support of diagnostic imaging Skill 11 Position patients for the following small animal views – a range of species MUST be included.
Unit 11 Supporting veterinary operating theatre practice Skill 10 Scrub up to assist with a surgical procedure – gloves; it has not always been clear that both open and closed gloving have been demonstrated by the clinical coach or both techniques practiced by the student.

Tutorials
Tutorial records need to demonstrate that the clinical coach and the student are planning training with clear and achievable targets being set and reviewed.

If you have any questions please contact your Quality Assurance Supervisor.

Winners of the 2012 Petplan Veterinary Awards Announced

Following a nationwide search to find the UK’s top veterinary professionals for 2012, Petplan has announced the winners of the prestigious Petplan Veterinary Awards.

The awards recognise and celebrate staff and practices throughout the country that have delivered an exceptional level of care to the nation’s pets and their owners.

The winners are:
VET OF THE YEAR
Zaila Dunbar, Queens Park Veterinary Clinic – London
Zaila was described as an immensely caring and compassionate vet who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

VET NURSE OF THE YEAR
Lucy Kells, Wildlife Aid Foundation – Leatherhead
Lucy’s dedication and inspiring manner put her above the other finalists, she was described as leading by example and always striving for improvement.

VET SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR
Sarah Bowler, Holly House Veterinary Surgery – Knutsford
Sarah’s genuine and sincere attitude towards her job and the dedication shown towards her practice really stood out for this year’s judges.

VET PRACTICE OF THE YEAR
Eastcott Veterinary Hospital – Swindon
Eastcott’s involvement with the community and charity fund raising was impressive! The hospital recently raised £10,000 for guide dogs.

Full information here.

Nominations sought for VN Golden Jubilee award

The Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is seeking nominations for its Golden Jubilee award.

The award recognises an exceptional contribution made to the veterinary nursing profession and/or a positive contribution to animal welfare. The Golden Jubilee award was inaugurated to mark the 50th anniversary of veterinary nurse training in 2011.

“This is a prestigious award and a great opportunity to recognise someone who has made a positive impact on our profession,” says Liz Branscombe, Chairman of the VN Council.

Both vets and veterinary nurses are eligible to make nominations, or to be nominated, for the Golden Jubilee award; nominations should be received by 8 May 2012. More information, together with the nomination form, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/jubileeaward.

New Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses Launched at BSAVA

The new Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary nurses was launched by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) on 12 April at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) World Congress in Birmingham.

It describes those professional responsibilities that are fundamental to veterinary nurses’ practice. The Code sets out five principles of practice: professional competence; honesty and integrity; independence and impartiality; client confidentiality and trust; and, professional accountability.

A pocket-sized hard copy of the Code will be posted to all registered veterinary nurses shortly, which will include references to where the supporting guidance and further information can be found on the RCVS website. The online version – at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncode – is fully searchable by keyword, and PDF versions will soon be available to download.

Although only registered veterinary nurses have agreed to abide by the VN Code of Professional Conduct, the College hopes that all veterinary nurses will consider it a useful benchmark of professional standards.

Free Online VCA Places Extended Until the End of July!

We have just received confirmation that free funded places on our online, Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants Course (VCA), will be available to eligible students until the end of July 2012.

We have had a great response to from practices over the past few months, with the number of students taking advantage of the offer way above what we anticipated.

Veterinary practices do not have to be an RCVS Training Practice or involved in veterinary nurse training to train their veterinary care staff using this nationally recognised qualification.

Funding is available for students, aged 19 or over, who are employed in a veterinary practice* in England and will cover both the course fee (£825) and the awarding body fees (£174) saving employers almost a thousand pounds!

The course is taught completely online so no College attendance is required. Students can start at any time and should aim to complete the award within 12 months.

The VCA programme can also, in combination with GCSEs at Grade C or above in English Language and Maths (or equivalent), allow progression onto the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme.

Further details on the VCA programme can be found here. To enrol online please click here or call us on 0844 372 9410.

* The employer must have less than 250 employees

Free Online VCA Places Extended Until the End of July!

The College of Animal Welfare is delighted to announce that fully funded places on its online, Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants Course (VCA), will continue to be available to eligible students until the end of July 2012.
Leslie Heaton-Smith, Director at the College, said “Over the past few months we have had 100 fully funded VCA places to offer to practices. We have been delighted with the response, with places being snapped up far quicker than we anticipated”. He continued “We have now received confirmation that we will be able to continue this offer until the end of July this year. If the funding is swallowed up before this time the offer may have to close early so it is advisable for any practice wishing to train their veterinary care staff in this way to enrol their students as soon as possible”.
Veterinary practices do not have to be an RCVS Training Practice or involved in veterinary nurse training to train their veterinary care staff using this nationally recognised qualification. Funding is available for students, aged 19 or over, who are employed in a veterinary practice* in England and will cover both the course fee (£825) and the awarding body fees (£174) saving employers almost a thousand pounds!
The course is taught completely online so no College attendance is required. Students can start at any time and should aim to complete the award within 12 months.
The VCA programme can also, in combination with GCSEs at Grade C or above in English Language and Maths (or equivalent), allow progression onto the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme.
Further details on the VCA programme can be found at www.caw.ac.uk. For further information, or to apply, please call the College on 0844 372 9410.
* The employer must have less than 250 employees

For more information please contact Alison German VN, Marketing Executive on 0844 372 9410 / agerman@caw.ac.uk

Forthcoming CPD courses at Edinburgh (April-May 2012)

We have some exciting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses coming up at our Edinburgh centre over the next couple of months.

Bite Size CPD: Cytology, 26 April 2012, 7-9pm
Interested in microscopy or skin disease and want to know more? Cytology can give invaluable information about skin disease and ear disease which are both common in small animals. All too often, stubborn skin cases are referred without recourse to that faithful friend of the veterinary practice, the microscope. Join experienced referral dermatologist and author Donald MacTaggart as we investigate skin tumours, cysts, ear disease and skin infections using microscopy. Practical tips on getting effective and useful samples will be taught, and medical conditions will be illustrated using case studies from clinical practice.
For more information, or to book, click here. £28 (£15 for CAW Students and TP Staff!)

Bite Size CPD: Nursing of the Avian Patient, 1 May 2012, 7-9pm
A wide variety of birds are frequently seen in clinical practice. Your patients can range from a timid little budgie all the way to an angry parrot with a razor sharp beak. Despite the varied background the initial treatment and supportive care of birds can be applied across many species. This evening session will cover the basic husbandry of commonly seen species and consider triage, emergency treatment and supportive care of ill birds.
Exotic specialist Kevin Eatwell has over 15 years of experience in the exotic field, working in first opinion and referral exotic veterinary practices, zoological collections, wildlife hospitals and for commercial clinical pathology laboratories. He is one of the few veterinarians to have achieved diplomate & RCVS specialist status, whilst in private practice. For more information, or to book, click here. £28 (£15 for CAW Students and TP Staff!)

Hear Professor Sheila Crispin Discuss the Need for a Universal Standard of Breeding

Come along to the first ever Companion Animal Welfare Council (CAWC) Animal Welfare Conference and listen to Professor Sheila Crispin, who recently appeared on ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed: Three Years On’, discuss the need for a universal standard of breeding.

Despite the best efforts of responsible breeders, we still see some individuals for whom profit is their driving motive. Using breeding strategies that may lead to the overuse of sires and overworked dams, inbreeding and a lack of health testing that can lead to severe health problems in many breeds. Other factors, such as the demand for designer crossbreeds or miniaturised ‘tea cup’ dogs also come into play. By the creation of a universal standard of breeding we can work to ensure that health is always a consideration by breeders and the care of the bitches, sires and puppies an absolute priority.

Alongside this fascinating lecture, which kicks off the day’s event, you will hear from leading animal welfare speakers on pet insurance, keeping exotic and farm animals as pets, education of the public and animal welfare legislation.

CAWC has been studying and promoting animal welfare issues since it was launched in 1999. CAWC and its members have served as providers of specialist advice to organisations, institutions and Government.

The conference will be held at The College of Animal Welfare’s new education and conference centre in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire (just off Junction 24 of the A14) on Saturday 21 April 2012.

Further details can be found here or by calling call Deborah Gould at The College of Animal Welfare on 0844 372 9410.

Finalists Announced for the 2012 Petplan Veterinary Awards

Petplan, the UK’s largest pet insurer, have announced the finalists for the prestigious 2012 Petplan Veterinary Awards.
The finalists for each of the categories are:

Vet of the Year
Zaila Dunbar, Queens Park Veterinary Practice – London
Tony Barnes, Manor Veterinary Clinic – Folkestone
Mark Taylor, Feldon Veterinary Centre – Bedworth
Vet Nurse of the Year
Lucy Kells, The Wildlife Aid Foundation – Leatherhead
Rachael Harris, Elms Veterinary Surgery – Monmouth
Sarah Algar, Brentknoll Veterinary Centre Ltd – Worcester
Support Staff of the Year
Sarah Bowler, Holly House Veterinary Surgery – Knutsford
Jane Wyatt, George Hunt and Son – Poynton
Cathy Campbell, Haygate Veterinary Centre – Telford
Vet Practice of the Year
Eastcott Veterinary Clinic and Hospital – Swindon
Prince Bishop Veterinary Hospital – County Durham
Broadleys Veterinary Hospital – Stirling

Petplan is also pleased to announce that up and coming comedian Seann Walsh will be this year’s compère for the Vet of the Year Awards. Known for his appearances on such shows as Mock the Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Seann is an exciting new comedy talent. He will be entertaining this year’s guests on the 12th April at Birmingham Town Hall.
For further information visit www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards/

Registered Veterinary Nurse Sought as a Trustee of the RCVS Charitable Trust

The Board of Trustees of the RCVS Charitable Trust is looking to recruit a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) as a Trustee, to step into the shoes of the current VN Trustee, Mrs Tracy Mayne RVN, when she stands down in June.

Applications are sought from registered veterinary nurses with suitable experience and outlooks, past or current experience of being a trustee is desirable however this is not necessary. All trustee roles are unpaid, with reasonable expenses such as travel being reimbursed.

The appointment is for a three year term, which may be renewed, and all trustees are expected to attend a minimum of three Board meetings, plus the June AGM, each year. Additional time will be needed to support veterinary nursing projects and develop collaborations with relevant individuals and organisations.

Application by CV and covering letter should be sent to the Trust Director, Cherry Bushell at c.bushell@rcvstrust.org.uk by Friday 27th April. Informal enquiries for further information are welcomed and enquirers should contact Cherry Bushell on 0207 202 0714 or by email.