Help Train the Next Generation of Veterinary Nurses
In order to train veterinary nurses, veterinary practices have to be approved as either a Training and Assessment Practice (TP) or an Auxiliary Training Practice (aTP) by an Approved Centre (Primary Centre).
In March 2001 The College of Animal Welfare became the first Veterinary Nursing Approved Centre (VNAC) to be appointed by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and, since this time, has become the largest Primary Centre in the UK, currently supporting over 650 practices to train veterinary nurses.
As a The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) approved Training Practice you will be allocated an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) who will carry out an initial approval visit and subsequent re-approval visits to the practice. The IQA will be your dedicated point of contact and will liaise regularly with you to ensure that all of your practice business needs are met.
Our Aim
Our aim is to provide a service that meets the quality assurance arrangements required by the RCVS and awarding body, yet commercially makes sense for your business. Our service has been designed to:
- Be cost effective
- Make effective use of practice time and minimise practice disruption
- Be easy to understand
- Provide quality support
- Provide regular communication
What We Offer
We will work with your practice to provide a holistic service designed around the needs of your individual business and team. As one of the UK’s leading veterinary nursing training providers and approved centres we strive to offer a service that is second to none.
All practices utilising the approval and training service of The College of Animal Welfare will be provided with a Memorandum of Agreement which details both the practice’s and the College’s obligations.
We offer
- Free clinical supervisor training
- Free standardisation training for clinical supervisors
- Discounts on our congresses and events
- Helpdesk support
- A dedicated IQA to support your practice
What is Involved in Becoming a TP or an aTP?
Once we have received a completed Training Practice application form, your practice will be allocated an IQA who will conduct a formal approval visit to the practice. Approval will then be recommended to the RCVS following the visit, once any actions have been completed, for either TP or aTP status.
A TP meets all the RCVS requirements for training veterinary nurses. An aTP does not meet the full requirements but agrees to make arrangements for students to cover the part of training they cannot offer elsewhere, such as secondment to an alternative Training Practice.
What is a Clinical Supervisor?
A clinical supervisor is either a veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse working within the practice who agrees to ‘mentor’ the student through their training. They will be responsible for supporting the student and supervising the completion of their Nursing Progress Log (NPL).
We provide free clinical supervisor training (in person and online) which covers the use of the NPL, as well as lots of best practice information and tips on coaching and mentoring your student. You will then be required to undertake online standardisation CPD every 12 months to maintain your currency (we have a number of free training modules you can undertake to comply with this).
I’m Interested in our Practice Becoming a TP or an aTP, What Should I do?
If you would like to discuss the approval process further, please call our TP Administrator on 01480 422060.
“It is incredibly rewarding seeing new students return from college with a renewed interest in their work and I guarantee your staff will be more enthusiastic and committed once they have a goal in sight.”
Clinical Coach, Wendy Taylor, shares the benefits of training Veterinary Nurses. Read more