Veterinary Nurse Health Associate Professionals

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.

Recommended Books

2 books

Routledge Handbook of Animal Welfare

Andrew Knight, Clive Phi…

2022

Preview

Animal Welfare Governance in EU Agriculture

Diane Ryland

2023

Preview

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, …

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 …

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.

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 …

The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.

Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.

Strategies for supporting animals recovering from anesthesia and/or specific veterinary medical or surgical procedures.

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.

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, …

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.

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.

Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.

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 …

Plan, manage and evaluate the application of the five universally recognised animal welfare needs as appropriate to species, situation and own occupation.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Guide and support less knowledgeable or less experienced colleagues.

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.

Assist the veterinary surgeon during surgical procedures by carrying out the duties of a general theatre assistant.

Provide assistance in the handling of equipment and materials in a sterile manner during surgical procedures in operating theatre.'

Be able to read, understand and utilise the most current research available to justify decisions based on best practice.

Manage the care for veterinary patients in accommodation including the preparation, suitability, hygiene, and monitoring of the condition of animals. Monitor and maintain animal accommodation. This includes selecting and preparing …

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 the equipment and materials required for animal anaesthesia.'

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.

Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.

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 …

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.

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.'

Manage the waiting area in a veterinary practice and ensure that both the clients' and the animals' needs are monitored and prioritised.

Develop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.