Study the Level 2 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists at The College of Animal Welfare

• Duration: 6–12 months
• Attendance: Online learning
• Fees: Monthly payment options
• Start dates: You can start this programme at any time of the year

Over the course of the qualification you will cover the following units:

• Assisting with the supply of veterinary products
  You will look at ordering and receiving veterinary medicinal products, and communicating with clients on veterinary products, retail products, veterinary therapies and know when to refer clients for veterinary diagnosis and advice.

• Maintenance of a veterinary reception area
  During this unit you will look at managing and maintaining the reception desk and waiting area, interpreting basic animal behaviour and supporting clients who are facing the death of an animal.

• Principles and practice of veterinary reception
  You will look at communicating effectively with clients and colleagues, including making appointments and advising clients of available veterinary services. You will also look at accurately maintaining client, and other business-related, records and processing fees for services.

• Working safely in a veterinary practice
  During this unit you will look at the hazards and risks in a veterinary practice; understanding the organisational and legal requirements for Health and Safety and be able to act upon hazards in the veterinary practice setting.

• Essentials of veterinary terminology
  Gain a greater understanding of the structure and meaning of medicinal word parts, and know the meaning of terminology relating to animal form and function, and veterinary clinical practice.

Assessment: You will complete an online portfolio and undertake a short, multiple choice question, examination. You will be required to attend one of our centres (Huntingdon, North London, Leeds or Edinburgh) to undertake your final examination. If you do not have access to a CAW centre, the examination can be carried out via remote invigilation.

There are no formal academic entry requirements; however you should have a sound level of numeracy, literacy and ICT skills.

You will need to be working, or volunteering, on reception in a veterinary practice, for a minimum of eight hours per week, and have done so for at least three months before applying. You must have the full support of your practice and will need to have a mentor in place within practice to assist you with parts of your course. The mentor may be a practice manager, head receptionist, veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse or someone working on reception who has a minimum of two years’ experience in reception work.

If you are volunteering, you may be asked to provide a reference from a practice manager, head receptionist, veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse supporting your application.

Please note: As our courses include online learning components, students are required to have access to a PC or laptop with a reliable internet connection.

Course fees can be found on our website.

View the course fees here.