Dick White Academy
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Intermediate Apprenticeship - Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Standard
Course overview
This Apprenticeship is designed for those tasked with providing care to animals in a veterinary care environment under the direction and/or supervision of a Veterinary Surgeon. It combines the Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours that are required to complete the apprenticeship.
It is designed to provide practical competence and underpinning knowledge that is relevant to the role of veterinary carer in a modern veterinary practice. It provides an alternative for those students who do not have access to other qualifications.
Assessment takes place over the duration of the course with a mix of assignments, practical observations and the End Point Assessment (EPA).
You will be employed within a veterinary practice and attend DWA 1 day a week to attend lectures with our team who are experienced in the delivery of veterinary care training. This 1 day a week is part of the 20% Off the Job Training that you must complete as part of your Apprenticeship. The remainder of this will be completed with completion of the practical assessments and completion of the E-portfolio, as this is how you are taught the practical aspects of the role within your working environment.
(It is important to note that students may not legally perform any action either during their training, or post-qualification, which may be interpreted as an act of veterinary surgery as defined by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Learners, employers and veterinary surgeons are directed to the current RCVS guidance.).
Subjects studied
• Legislation and Safe Working Practice
• Animal Health & Welfare
• Animal Environment & Accommodation
• Introduction to Patient Care
• Introduction to Animal Anatomy & Physiology
• Veterinary Care Support
Qualification details
VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support
Entry Requirements
Students must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week (part time options can be looked in to on a case-by-case basis).
They must be able to gain experience of a veterinary care environment (simulation is not appropriate). It is expected that a minimum of 600 hours of veterinary experience, excluding breaks, statutory holidays, annual leave or sickness, will enable the student to gain the required veterinary care experience and develop the practical competence to successfully achieve the award’s outcomes.
L1 in English and Maths is expected as a minimum, with the expectation that those holding L1 will work towards L2 during the VCA course.
Start time and attendance details
The DWA Part of the apprenticeship is mainly online, it runs one day per week during term time. Attendance at DWA is required on a minimum of three occasions during the apprenticeship.
The course will run from 9:00am-12 noon.
Course length
Minimum duration – Typically 12-15 months.
Advanced Apprenticeship - Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Standard)
Course overview
The Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship combines the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to be become a registered veterinary nurse.
You will be employed within a veterinary practice and attend DWA 1 day a week to attend lectures with our team who are experienced in the delivery of veterinary nurse training. This 1 day a week is part of the 20% Off the Job Training that you must complete as part of your Apprenticeship. Learning practical skills and recording them in your E-portfolio will achieve the remainder of this.
There is a range of assessment throughout the course including on-line examinations, assignments, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), a Professional Discussion and completion of your E-portfolio. Whilst employed in a Veterinary Practice you will have a clinical supervisor, along with a tutor assigned to you at DWA. Successful completion of this qualification and the successful achievement of your End Point Assessment (EPA) will enable you to complete your Apprenticeship and become a registered veterinary nurse (RVN) on the register held by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Subjects studied:
• Professional Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities
• Diagnostic Principles
• Principles of Veterinary Nursing Care 1 & 2
• Pharmacology and Dispensary Management
• Anaesthesia and Theatre Nursing
• Life stage Nursing Care & Support
• Surgical Nursing & Patient Care
Qualification Details
VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing
Entry Requirements
You must be employed at a veterinary practice for a minimum of 30 hours a week (part time options can be looked in to on a case-by-case basis).
To begin training, students must have achieved five GCSEs at level 4 or higher including English language, mathematics and a science subject. Alternative qualifications of a comparable or higher standard may be accepted.
Start time and attendance details
The DWA part of the apprenticeship is part-time and runs on one day per week
The course will run from 9:00am-4: 30pm (Days to be confirmed).
Course length
Minimum Duration - Typically 30-33 months.