VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Assisting with Monitoring Anaesthetised and Sedated Companion Animals

• Legal and ethical responsibilitiesincluding the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, RCVS Guidance and health and safety.
• Anatomy and physiology of the cardiorespiratory systemincluding key structures and function, gaseous exchange and oxygenation of tissues.
• The principles of sedation and anaesthesiaincluding common terminology, routes of administration, pre-medication, protocols, clinical observations, the stages of anaesthesia, key drug groups.
• Anaesthetic equipmentincluding the safe use of, maintenance and common faults.
• Patient preparationincluding standard operation procedures, admission procedures, consent and health checks.
• Assisting with the monitoring of companion animalsunder anaesthesia and sedation including vital signs, record completion and monitoring devices.
• Assisting with the recoveryfrom anaesthesia and sedation including accommodation, positioning, monitoring, handover to colleagues and complications.
• Anaesthetic emergenciesincluding emergency boxes, equipment failure and resuscitation procedures.

You will compile a portfolio of evidence, log 200 hours of practical experience assisting vets with the process of sedation and anaesthesia, and undertake an online multiple-choice examination.

Our online, distance learning courses can be started at any time. You will work through your online course materials at a time that is convenient to you and be supported by a personal tutor.

There are no formal academic entry requirements, however you should:

• Be employed, or volunteering, in a clinical role in a veterinary practice and have the support of your practice to undertake the course.
• Have your application endorsed by your Practice Principal (who must be a veterinary surgeon – MRCVS) and have a veterinary surgeon in your practice who is happy to supervise you throughout your course.

• £1,825 – UK students
• £2,555 – Overseas students

Awarding Body Fees - £179

All students or employers are required to pay the awarding body fees in addition to the course fees. Please note that these are recharged at cost and may be subject to change.

CAW Loans2Learn
Course fees must be paid in full before the course begins. If you are unable to do so, we offer a personal loan scheme (Loans2Learn) that can help you to spread the cost into manageable monthly payments over a period of up to five years, subject to eligibility. It can be used to fully, or partially, cover your course fee (but does not cover any awarding body fees, such as enrolment and examination fees which are payable on top). More information can be found here.

LOAN CALCULATOR
The current rate of interest for a CAW Loans2Learn is 9%. Click on the calculator icon to calculate your monthly repayment options based on different repayment term lengths.

Example repayment - a Loans2Learn loan for the full UK course fee of £1,825 over 24 months would equate to monthly repayments of approximately £83 per month (please note this is an indicative price based on current fees and interest rates).

General Advice
Sources of financial help can be found on our student finance page. Before making any financial decision it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.

If you have not achieved your qualification by the planned end date detailed in your individual learning plan, continued support and course access is available by paying monthly direct debit payments, or applying for a supplementary or increased loan, until certification is achieved.

These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of The College of Animal Welfare.

Ideally the monitoring of companion animal anaesthesia should be carried out by a qualified veterinary nurse under supervision of a veterinary surgeon, and as such, training to become a veterinary nurse is something you may wish to consider in the future by undertaking the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme if you have the required qualifications for entry.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to train as a veterinary nurse but undertake further qualifications in veterinary are, you may consider undertaking either the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants or the Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support programme. These qualifications are also delivered by online, distance learning.

You don’t need to be in paid employment in a veterinary practice to do the course, but you do need to be working as part of a practice team; this can be done through volunteering.

No, there is no need for the practice you are working/volunteering in to be a TP.

No, as a private further education college fees are applicable to all students. We do, however, have a Loans2Learn scheme that can help you to spread the costs of study into manageable monthly payments.