Veterinary nurses support animals undergoing veterinary treatment and give advice to veterinary clients in the promotion of animal health and disease prevention in accordance with national legislation.
Strategies for supporting animals recovering from anesthesia and/or specific veterinary medical or surgical procedures.
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
Types, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, social and training activities.
Animal emergency treatment, including the principles and aims of the provision of first aid treatment to animals.
Animal health conditions, disease processes, veterinary treatment and nursing care, as well as nursing care plans, records and communication with owners and other professionals.
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
Safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and working environment.
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
Provide supportive care for animals recovering from anaesthesia and/or a veterinary medical or surgical procedure.
'Plan and provide nursing care to hospitalised animals, conducting a range of activities related to areas including fluid and nutrition, hygiene and grooming, comfort and pain management, toileting, positioning and exercise, attention and enrichment, and the nursing environment.'
Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.'
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and work environments.
Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'
Assist the veterinary surgeon in administering anaesthetics to animals including the maintenance and monitoring of anaesthesia during veterinary procedures.
Assist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.
Provide assistance in the handling of equipment and materials in a sterile manner during surgical procedures in operating theatre.'
Collaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
Be able to read, understand and utilise the most current research available to justify decisions based on best practice.
Handle veterinary patients in accommodation including the preparation, suitability, hygiene, and monitoring of their condition. Monitor and maintain animal accommodation. This includes selecting and preparing the accommodation for animals, cleaning, and maintenance.
Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.
Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
Plan, manage and evaluate the application of the five universally recognised animal welfare needs as appropriate to species, situation and own occupation.
Ensure that clinical environments, including equipment and materials, are properly prepared and maintained for use. Prepare and maintain working environments and ensure that equipment and materials are available.'
Adhere to veterinary professional codes of practice and legislation.
Prepare animals for anaesthesia, including performing pre-anaesthetic checks and procedures and reporting findings.'
Prepare animals for minor and major surgical procedures and carry out the correct positioning and use of aseptic skin preparation.'
Prepare the surgical environment, including preparation rooms, operating theatres, equipment and materials. prior to surgery.
Prepare and turn on all equipment required for animal anaesthesia, such as the anaesthesia machine, breathing circuit, endotracheal tube, intubation tools and anaesthetic monitors. Ensure they function and have undergone appropriate safety checks.
Protect health and welfare of animals and their handlers.
Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Assist clients seeking veterinary treatment and during the provision of veterinary services. Aid clients with the care of their animals by demonstrating care techniques and use of veterinary products. Provide support during difficult situations.
Supply veterinary medicines under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
Prepare the equipment and animal for diagnostic imaging. Conduct or support diagnostic imaging procedures. Provide care for the animal undergoing diagnostic imaging.'
Prepare equipment and animals for veterinary diagnostic tests. Conduct or support sample collection. Preserve samples from animals for analysis and communicate the results. Provide care for the animal undergoing examination.'
Carry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.
Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders. Pursue a cycle of self-improvement and develop credible career plans.
Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
Guide and support less knowledgeable or less experienced colleagues.
No competences in this bucket.
Animal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.
Spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.
No competences in this bucket.
No competences in this bucket.
Maintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'
Create and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'
Maintain stocks of veterinary materials to ensure there is an adequate supply. Ensure appropriate storage, rotation and record keeping for veterinary materials.
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
Manage the waiting area in a veterinary practice and ensure that both the clients' and the animals' needs are monitored and prioritised.
Categorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.
Accept, schedule and cancel appointments.
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
Work safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how to address them to promote personal safety and that of others.
Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
Develop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.
Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.