Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants (College Course)
- Pibwrlwyd Campus
This is the ideal qualification for those looking to go into employment within a veterinary practice as a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA). VCAs provide basic care to animals under the direction and/or supervision of a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse.
For the purpose of this qualification, veterinary care service providers include but are not limited to first opinion veterinary practice, second opinion or referral veterinary practice, veterinary hospitals, veterinary departments within animal welfare establishments and veterinary schools.
Course details
- Part time
What you will learn
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Programme Features
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Progression and employment
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Programme content
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Method of assessment
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Additional costs
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Entry requirements
Units of study:
- Principles and practices of animal handling and care in the veterinary environment
- Principles and practices of assisting with care in the veterinary environment
- Principles and practices of administrative duties in the veterinary care environment
Following successful completion of the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide care to animals within the veterinary practice setting under the direction or supervision of a Veterinary Surgeon or Registered Veterinary Nurse.
On completion students may be able to progress to become a student veterinary nurse, subject to meeting the enrolment requirements set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for Student Veterinary Nurses.
Opportunities for progression may be:
- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing - Small Animal Practice
- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal)
- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing - Equine Practice
- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine)
- Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship in Animal Care
- Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care.
The programme is designed to provide practical competence and underpinning knowledge that is relevant to the role of veterinary carer in a modern veterinary practice while containing additional skills and knowledge which go beyond the scope of the National Occupational Standards.
Students will attend college 1 day a week. Students must also complete a minimum of 600 hours within a veterinary practice. This may be as paid employment or an unpaid work placement.
Modules are assessed via assignments. Each assignment is made up of:
- A series of practical marking checklists and case studies which assess the competency elements of the qualification and should be completed and kept in a portfolio of evidence
- A number of written tasks that assess the knowledge elements of the qualification such as reports, leaflets, handouts, case studies, written tests, posters, or presentations
Students will be required to source and purchase their own personal protective equipment (PPE).
You will need to provide your own stationery and there may also be additional costs if the department arranges educational visits.
Course Fee band N
A paid or unpaid placement at a veterinary practice for a minimum of 2 – 3 days per week. The veterinary practice must provide the student with a mentor/supervisor in the workplace, either a qualified Veterinary Nurse or Veterinary Surgeon or someone who has significant and current experience within veterinary practice.
There are no formal academic entry requirements for learners undertaking this programme.