Diploma in Veterinary Support Assistant

Module 1: The Roles of Members of the Veterinary Team

• Roles and responsibilities of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Roles of the Veterinary Nurse.
• Roles of the Student Veterinary Nurse.
• Essentials of the legal system.
• Individual character and conscience.

Module 2: Anatomy and Physiology of Dogs and Cats

• Animal cell structure and cell function.
• Basic structure and function of the nervous system.
• The endocrine system.
• The digestive system.
• The urinary system.
• The respiratory system.
• The cardiovascular system.
• The circulatory system.

Module 3: Health and Safety Within The Veterinary Practice

• Principles of health and safety.
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002.
• Hazardous Waste Regulations, 2005.
• Manual Handling Regulations, 1992.

Module 4: Infection Control in the Veterinary Practice

• The role of infection in animal and human health.
• Principles of disease transmission in veterinary practice.
• How to maintain a clean clinical environment.
• Main groups of disinfectants.

Module 5: Veterinary Nursing Support of Diagnostic Techniques

• Running a laboratory in a veterinary practice.
• Emergency procedures.
• General safety measures.
• How to collect and prepare urine, faecal and blood samples.
• How to carry out common laboratory tests.
• Test results.

Module 6: Understanding Veterinary Pharmacy

• Principles of pharmacy stock management.
• The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
• Principles of safe dispensing.
• Medication terms used in Pharmacology.
• Absorption rate.
• Drug formulations.

The Veterinary Support Assistant course is assessed by a series of written assignments, which are submitted to and marked by your tutor. There is no external examination required.