Veterinary Care

Courtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), RVN, Veterinary Anursethesia | VCAC2022

55 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

When monitoring a patient’s anaesthesia, each physiological parameter is like a piece of a puzzle and it is vital to understand how they all fit together, to form the bigger picture.

In this presentation, we will look at all these physiological parameters whilst discussing what they actually mean and how to defunk the terminology.

Topics to be discussed will include:

• The Palpebral Reflex
• Eye Position
• Jaw Tone
• Pedal Reflex
• Pulse Oximetry
• Blood Pressure
• Capnography
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Dr Liz Walker BVetMed BSAVA PgCert SAM MRCVS, IntinsiaVet | VCAC2022

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

The role of the VCA in clinical practice entails far more than animal care. Understanding the client journey and the role you play within it is essential for success in clinical practice. Learning tools and techniques for effective communication will support with each client interaction and help you to successfully navigate the challenging situations as they may arise.

This presentation will cover the following key learning objectives:

• The importance of the client journey in clinical practice
• The role of the VCA in the client journey
• Communication skills for ideal client interactions
• Tools and techniques for challenging situation

Dr Rosie Allister BSc (Hons) BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS, VetLife | VCAC2022

30 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Veterinary teams work hard and look after others, to do that sustainably we need to look after ourselves. There are times when we do our best, and it still doesn’t feel enough. Some of our work means we encounter trauma and suffering that affects us in ways we might not expect. Research on moral injury and compassion fatigue offers some explanation for psychological aspects of the work we do and points to strategies for prevention and support. This session looks at what helps.

Bronte Stephenson RVN BSc (Hons) C-SQP NCert (Dent) | VCAC2024

55 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Dentistry has become a large focus for many practices over the last few years, and rightly so. The oral cavity, though it is not often seen, plays a huge role in overall animal health and welfare. There are often many painful problems which go unnoticed, and it can be difficult to get through to clients about the importance of oral hygiene.

How can the VCA get involved with client education, and become an advocate for dental health? And how can the VCA assist with dental procedures in practice?

Louise Chappell BSc (Hons) Dip AVN RVN, The College of Animal Welfare | VCAC2022

50 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

This presentation will cover the following key points:

• The VCA role in telephone triage - top ten emergencies and what questions to ask to get the most information for the veterinary surgeon
• How to keep calm in these situations
• The legalities of providing first aid and who has the ability to perform first aid
• How to be prepared
• Some scenario based discussions, to put the information into practice

Getting Inappetant Patients to Eat (VCAC2023)

50 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Getting animals to eat can be one of the most difficult things to do. The role of VCAs in ensuring that adequate nutrition is achieved is really important. This presentation aims to give delegates the guidance to be able to:

1. Identify inappetence, anorexia and dysrexia in animals
2. The methods in place to increase nutrition intake of animals
3. How to monitor nutritional intake in animals

Getting it all done: How to manage your own time and energy (VCAC2023)

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Time is the most valuable thing that we have and once it’s gone, we can’t get it back! So how can we make sure that we are using our time and energy wisely when there are constant distractions and drains on our time and energy levels? 

This session will share some tools to help you identify those distractions and to understand how effective you are at managing your own time. It will help you to decide what’s important and urgent or when you can give yourself permission to ditch or delegate something. We’ll discuss to-do-lists, how (in)effective they are, and how to use them alongside other tools and strategies to make sure those items actually get done.

Kate Main BVSc PGCERT SAM MRCVS | Tamson Durston RVN CAB BA (Hons) BSc (Hons) MSc (Hons) | VCAC2024

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

During this presentation we will take a journey through the veterinary clinic and using Dog Friendly Clinic principles, look at how Veterinary Care Assistants can best support the emotional wellbeing of canine patients within their care.

By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Outline the aims of Dog Friendly Clinic scheme and the benefits of joining.
• Summarise how you would become a member of the Dog Friendly Clinic scheme.
• Describe how Veterinary Care Assistants can use Dog Friendly Clinic principles to support the emotional wellbeing of canine patients within their care.

Claire Hobson RVN Cert Ed Canine Hydrotherapist, The College of Animal Welfare | VCAC2022
Lisa Forrest BA(Hons) GTP, The College of Animal Welfare

25 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Are you thinking of taking the next steps to train for the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing? Are you concerned you may not meet entry requirements and are looking for ways to achieve these? If so, please join CAW’s Claire Hobson (Head of Veterinary Studies, Leeds and Wigan) and Lisa Forrest (Additional Learning Support Manager) for some additional guidance.

Claire will talk through the role of the Veterinary Nurse and the entry requirements needed to undertake the qualification. Lisa will follow with advice on how to achieve Maths and English if needed, and explain the difference between Functional Skills and GCSEs. You may find it is easier than you think!

Overcoming Fears of Inadequacy and Self-doubt (VCAC2023)

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Do you ever feel inadequate or a fake?  If you do you are not alone!  These are thoughts associated with so called ‘Imposter Syndrome’.  Recent research suggests that up to 80+% of us feel this way at some point in our life.  Awareness and understanding of how our brains constantly lie and play tricks on us, can help you to challenge and overcome your own imposter thinking.  In turn, this can improve your self-assurance, confidence and enjoyment in who you are, your life and what you have to offer your teams and those who you care for.

Pet Loss and Bereavement Support (VCAC2023)

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Pet loss and bereavement support is arguably one of the most important services we offer as veterinary professionals. Being present for one of the most difficult times that pet ownership brings is a vital part of our roles, and understanding how we can best support and console clients in a professional manner is essential. 

This presentation will run through communication styles, how to help set up a supportive euthanasia appointment, post-euthanasia care for the client and how to look after yourself following difficult cases.

It aims to leave you feeling much more confident and better equipped to deal with one of the most emotional aspects of the job.

Dr Libby Kemkaran MA VETMB MRCVS | VCAC2024

35 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

This presentation will show you how understanding the 4 different brain types can lead to increased confidence, superstar communication and growing an enviable high-performance culture, where everyone gets to love their work and get along.

Work doesn’t have to feel like work. It can feel instead like a game, learning which Big Cat Brain you’re running (and who are the Big Cats you walk with every day) is the key to unlocking your next level life.

Grow your communication skills and power to influence others around you in this deep dive into cognitive diversity.

Helen Matyear RVN Cert HE ICH | BC2024

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Have you ever considered a career in the world of animal rehabilitation? Our beloved pets are living well into their senior years and an increase in complex surgical procedures and further medical treatments means the world of rehab has never been so important.

This presentation will focus on looking at the different ways the veterinary care assistant can become involved with rehabilitation of patients. We will cover the basics of hydrotherapy, name conditions that benefit from rehab treatment and investigate the career paths into the world of rehab.

The VCA’s role in ultrasound examinations (VCAC2023)

40 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

In this presentation we will go through the veterinary care assistant’s role in ultrasound examinations from preparing a suitable environment for scans to take place to patient preparation to ensure high quality diagnostic images can be obtained by the operator, also restraint techniques and a basic overview of why ultrasound is used and what we are looking at on the screen in order to be proactive when preparing the ultrasound area and machine.

VCA Congress is a one day virtual event focused solely on roles within the varied veterinary care field - exploring all aspects of the roles; from the many different responsibilities, to the challenges that are faced on a daily basis.

You’ll get the chance to listen to a variety of relevant lectures from expert industry speakers and gain valuable CPD on a range of topics.

This congress is suitable for those studying for a Veterinary Care Support or Veterinary Care Assistant qualification, as well as for those already working within these roles and similar roles, within veterinary practices and animal care environments.