Welcome to the The Pets At Home Vet Group portal for practices based within Scotland, provided by The College of Animal Welfare. Following please find all the information you will need about CAW and the delivery of Veterinary Nursing with Scotland.
The Pets at Home Veterinary Group is made up of Vets4Pets and Companion Care Vets. With colleagues being at the epicentre of the PAHVG business, training is a priority. This is why PAHVG are keen to ensure all practices are aware of the opportunities that are available that have been designed to meet needs of both individuals and practices alike.
The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) train in excess of 20% of the UK’s veterinary nurses and support approximately 500 recognised training practices and are therefore well placed to understand the needs of the veterinary industry.
Course fees will be payable from each practice’s training budget. Invoices will be sent directly to Support Office and will be paid as specified.
Veterinary Nursing Qualification
Studied on a block release basis, starting in September each year, completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing allows the individual to be eligible to apply for professional registration within the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
- Veterinary Nursing
Overview
From carrying out x-rays and diagnostic tests, through to advising clients on pet care and looking after inpatients in the hospital wards, veterinary nursing involves a wide range of vital activities which will be studied throughout this qualification.
Upon completion of qualification the individual will then be eligible to apply for professional registration within the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
Entry
To undertake the course the minimum entry requirements are five National 5 qualifications at grades A – C which must include English, Mathematics and a Science subject or equivalent.
It is necessary to be working for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a recognised Training Practice (TP). If your practice is not a TP please do get in touch to find out how your practice can become one.
Programme Delivery
- This qualification is expected to take 24 months to complete
- College attendance is on a block release basis at the Edinburgh centre and starts in September each year
Fees
Fees are payable either by the employer or the individual as below:
College course fees:
- Full fee: £4,190
- Annual: £2,095
- PAYL: £175 per month
If the qualification is not achieved within the 24 months, access to the course and support can be continued by paying monthly direct debit payments until certification occurs.
Awarding Body Fees also apply as follows:
- RCVS Registration: £196
- Awarding Body Registration: £210
- Practical Examination Fee: £225
- Online Examination Fee: £29
* Please note The College of Animal Welfare reserve the right to change all fee information at any time. Awarding Body Fees are payable by all students or employers and recharged at cost and may be subject to change.
Additional recognised qualifications
In addition to Veterinary Nursing there are a wide range of other recognised qualifications available for those within your practice to study including qualifications for veterinary receptionists and those within management roles. To find out more please do visit the CAW website.
TP Approval Scheme
If your practice is not currently involved in veterinary nurse training but is looking to do so you will need to become a recognised Training Practice (TP). This will allow you to train your own colleague or take on placements students.
Here at The College of Animal Welfare we support approximately 500 TPs and, as such, are well placed to understand your needs. Our service has been designed to:
- Be cost effective
- Make effective use of practice time
- Minimise practice disruption
- Be easy to understand
- Have RCVS approval
- Have access to quality support
- Provide regular communication
To find out more about becoming a recognised training practice do get in touch using the contact details displayed. For practices based within Scotland that aren’t even any approval fees to pay!
Placement Students
It is clear that there is a shortage of veterinary nurses within the industry. However there is certainly not a shortage of individuals who want to become Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs). The bottleneck is the amount of placements that are available to support them.
Offering a placement can be a great way to add an enthusiastic colleague to your team. There are no course fees or wages to pay and you may even gain a fully qualified member of staff at the end!
We are always seeking new practices to be involved within our placement scheme for both our diploma and degree veterinary nursing students. Our Placement Liaison Team will happily talk you through the process and look at any available students in your area.
Get your free information packContinuing Professional Development (CPD)
If you want to gain knowledge in a specific area we have a number of different courses and unique events you can attend:
- Clinical Coach Congress
Clinical Coach Congress
This is a unique conference aimed at clinical coaches who would like to progress in the key role they have in developing student veterinary nurses.
A wide range of topics are covered over the two day event which vary each year. Previous subjects have included practical NPL advice, how to support individuals with mental health challenges and motivational mapping.
- Head Nurse Congress
Head Nurse Congress
Already a head nurse or practice manager? Or perhaps you are looking to become one in the future – then this congress is ideal for you.
Held over two days the congress is packed full of tips designed to make your job easier! Topics vary each year but have included recruitment, well-being, managing difficult situations and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
- CPD
CPD
A number of short courses are also available at each of our four centres throughout the year (Huntingdon, Potters Bar, Leeds and Edinburgh). Our courses are designed to provide you access to a multitude of learning opportunities that are delivered by professional speakers.
Certificates of attendances will allow you to evidence your attendance in your professional development record where applicable.
The range of topics varies with subjects being covered including how to deal with difficult cats, nursing the cancer patient, rabbit anaesthesia and handling reptiles.
What's Next?
If you need further support or have any questions please do get in touch and we will happy to help!