Vet technician (livestock) Apprenticeship Standard

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Knowledge

K1: The appropriate level of RCVS code of professional conduct for Vet Technicians and its associated guidance for the standards of professional practice.
K2: The scope of the business environment in which the vet practice operates and the need to meet ethical and legal responsibilities.
K3: The principles of infection control in livestock to control the spread of infection/ diseases. This includes using personal protective equipment (PPE), efficient hand washing techniques, the importance of biosecurity and the role of disinfection and sterilisation, particularly when working on multiple sites.
K4: The complexities of different agricultural environments and how this affects animal health and welfare.
K5: The principles and practices of handling unpredictable livestock in a safe manner and in line with Manual Handling Operations Regulations.
K6: Dynamic risk assessment processes and lone worker protocols for different environments and livestock. How risk assessments can be applied to reduce the stress and risk of injury to self and different types of livestock.
K7: Principles of collecting data to form reports to meet regulatory requirements of medicine legislation.
K8: Principles and scope of vet led protocols for the administration of vaccinations and the antibody reaction, Principles, protocols and use of veterinary medicines in livestock treatments, including how to administer them: injection, oral bolus, topical application.
K9: How to use a range of information and data to identify potential health and welfare issues and the preventative or reactive measures that could be applied.
K10: The safe use of veterinary medicines and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) essentials for farmers.
K11: Diseases (zoonoses) caused by micro-organisms, which are subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
K12: Communication strategies to develop effective working relationships and engage clients and practice colleagues.
K13: Husbandry procedures such as disbudding, foot trimming, non-surgical castration and tail docking, mobility assessment and growth monitoring.
K14: Strategies to ensure health and welfare of livestock and cost- effective preventative approaches.
K15: How to report concerns with livestock and/ or human welfare.
K16: Protocols for handling livestock during Vet Tech procedures.
K17: How collaboration with outside organisations can enhance animal health and welfare. E.g. Agricultural and Horticultural development board (AHDB).
K18: Evaluation methods including the use of software to measure the impact of treatments. The use of this information to inform future strategies across other locations/ environments.
K19: Evaluating breeding values and methods of genetic improvements for health and productivity.
K20: Social responsibility to function sustainably and minimise waste.
K21: Livestock weighing and how to carry out body condition scoring to national guidelines.
K22: The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and vet led protocols and procedures when using blood sampling for diagnosis.
K23: The requirement to maintain client confidentiality and obligations under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).

Skills

S1: Plan and carry out dynamic risk assessments taking account of lone worker protocols and varying environments/ livestock. Develop courses of action to minimise risk.
S2: Manage data collection for health plans and reports.
S3: Analyse, interpret, and evaluate data using appropriate software, to inform diagnosis/ recommendations for preventative treatment.
S4: Collaborate with agricultural staff to obtain information impacting on livestock health (e.g. feed rations).
S5: Administer appropriate veterinary medicines, as set out within a vet led protocol, to treat livestock, such as by injection, oral bolus or topical application.
S6: Identify environmental factors that can have a positive and/or negative effect on animal health and welfare.
S7: Plan and carry out livestock assessment, such as mobility assessment, weighing or body condition scoring.
S8: Identify when samples are required for parasite identification. Collect relevant samples in accordance with protocols and lab procedures.
S9: Complete disbudding/ horn removal of livestock.
S10: Plan and carry out blood sampling for disease or health analysis/diagnosis. Complete documentation for further lab analysis and to ensure traceability.
S11: Build rapport with clients whilst managing client expectations and competing priorities.
S12: Manage own workload, balancing cost and efficiency with livestock health and welfare priorities.
S13: Use equipment, such as livestock crush and raise systems for safe handling and pharmaceutical equipment and products, in line with operating procedures and manufacturers guidelines.
S14: Monitor and manage requirements for equipment maintenance and repair.
S15: Identify, use and dispose of correct PPE appropriate to the task.
S16: Identify biosecurity risks and mitigate against them.
S17: Maintain client confidentiality in line with practice requirements and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).

Behaviours

B1: Builds and maintains relationships with customers, colleagues, and suppliers.
B2: Maintains ethical standards required by the RCVS and complies with the appropriate RCVS approved day 1 code for a veterinary technician.
B3: Takes responsibility for planning and developing courses of action.
B4: Undertakes career professional development to maintain technical knowledge.
B5: Acts professionally and adapts style and method of communication to the circumstances and needs of individuals.
B6: Adheres to the requirements of health and safety legislation.

Duty 1

DUTY: Communicate effectively using a variety of appropriate methods. Take account of the factors which affect working relationships between clients and practice colleagues.

Duty 2

DUTY: Practise biosecurity to prevent transfer of pathogens between businesses premises and stock.

Duty 3

DUTY: Handle livestock in a safe manner, adapting to the facilities, environment and type of stock to reduce stress and risk of injury to self and stock. Carry out dynamic risk assessments.

Duty 4

DUTY: Carry out standard husbandry procedures and provide husbandry advice to clients where appropriate. This may include but is not limited to disbudding, foot trimming, body condition and mobility assessment.

Duty 5

DUTY: Collect and digitally record and store data. Use software to prepare reports on data used to inform business and health care planning, and to meet regulatory requirements of medicine legislation.

Duty 6

DUTY: Monitor and record signs of animal health and welfare issues, which may include but are not limited to lameness, feed intake, abnormal weight.

Duty 7

DUTY: Administer preventative medicines under the direction of a qualified vet or as part of a pre-agreed healthcare plan. This may include but is not limited to medications such as vaccinations and parasite control.

Duty 8

DUTY: Collect samples under the direction of a vet and prepare them to be sent for external lab testing and in-house testing where relevant. Use the results to inform health plans in conjunction with the vet.

Duty 9

DUTY: Identify potential health and welfare issues across a range of livestock and environments. Provide advice to the client and vet to make improvements. Use the appropriate channels to report concerns.

Duty 10

DUTY: Carry out environmental assessments and collect relevant data.

Duty 11

DUTY: Assist the vet with additional duties as required, such as help with handling livestock during fertility routines or surgical procedures.

Duty 12

DUTY: Liaise with outside organisations to promote collaborative approaches to enhance animal health & welfare.

Vet technician (livestock)

Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Vet technician (livestock) standard?

Knowledge

Skills

Behaviours

Duty 1

Duty 2

Duty 3

Duty 4

Duty 5

Duty 6

Duty 7

Duty 8

Duty 9

Duty 10

Duty 11

Duty 12

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Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Vet technician (livestock) standard?