By Emily Mathias, Course Tutor
Hi, I’m Emily, I am a qualified veterinary nurse and became a companion animal SQP (Suitably Qualified Person), or C-SQP, in January 2015. Over the past decade, my SQP qualification has opened up countless job opportunities and provided me with valuable knowledge, helping me in a variety of roles. Most recently, I’ve been a tutor for the SQP qualification at The College of Animal Welfare.
What is an SQP or AMA?
An SQP or AMA is a qualified professional who can dispense animal medicines. They gain this qualification from an approved training organisation, such as The College of Animal Welfare. Once qualified, SQPs are legally able to dispense and prescribe various medications, including certain flea and worm products.
The field of Animal Medicines Advising is constantly evolving. New medicines are regularly introduced, legislation is updated, and information on contraindications and adverse effects continuously changes how medicines are dispensed and what they can do for patients. The role of an C-SQP can encompass pharmacy management, general dispensary duties, and ensuring adherence to relevant medicine legislation and regulations. It’s a role that demands responsibility and a commitment to ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
How Can an SQP Benefit Your Veterinary Practice?
If you are looking to enhance pharmacovigilance and improve your dispensary management, and need a trained team member who can answer medicine-related queries and assist with managing dispensed medications and prescriptions, then the SQP course could be the perfect fit for your team.
The SQP role is suitable for both non-clinical staff like practice managers and receptionists, as well as veterinary care assistants and registered veterinary nurses (RVNs). Did you know that RVNs without an SQP qualification are not legally entitled to prescribe or dispense medications from the POM-VPS category, which includes many common flea and worm products?
An SQP can significantly lighten the load for clinical staff and ensure the smooth running of your reception when it comes to dispensing medications. Once qualified, an SQP will have a strong awareness of regulations and be proficient in managing deliveries, rotating stock, and understanding the legalities surrounding the disposal and dispensing of medications.
Our Distance Learning SQP Course
Our distance learning course is powered by our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and supported by dedicated tutors. The SQP qualification provides learners with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in fast-paced dispensaries, especially as the demand for routine preventative medicine continues to dominate the pharmaceutical industry.
The VLE offers presentations, videos, links, and lessons to help learners delve deeper into dispensary operations. Through scenario-based learning and mock exams, alongside one-on-one tutor support, learners will build upon their existing knowledge to meet the high standards set out by the Veterinary Medicine Regulations.
Exams
There are three exams, one for each corresponding unit:
- Unit 1 (AMA01 – Base Unit): Covers the legislative aspects of SQP practice. This is an online multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam.
- Unit 2 (AMAC02 – Anatomy and Physiology): This is another online MCQ exam. (RVNs can map this unit from their RVN status and are exempt from sitting this exam).
- Unit 3 (AMAC03): This final unit culminates in a 20-question scenario-based exam, which includes a prescription writing task. This will be practiced with your tutor before the final exam.
All exams can be taken remotely, so there’s no need to travel to an exam center. All support is provided via Microsoft Teams.
Once qualified, a companion animal SQP can use the post-nominal C-SQP. They are required to complete CPD annually, maintain their registration, and adhere to the SQP code of professional conduct when handling medicines or written prescriptions. They will also have a strong understanding of adverse reactions and be proficient in using a Product Information Database (PID) to identify the correct product for any enquiry.