CQ
Level 3
QN: 603/2318/8
Curriculum Active
CQ Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing - Small Animal Practice
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by CQ. Classified as a Occupational Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 1290 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
CQ
Syllabus Units
18 Units
Guided Hours
1290 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Applied animal welfare, health and husbandry in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of animal welfare in relation to dogs, cats, rabbits and birds
- Understand the essential factors for maintaining animal health for a range of species
- Know the nutritional requirements of animals
- Understand the reproduction and breeding of animals
- Know methods of animal identification
- Be able to handle and restrain animals safely
2
Diagnostic imaging in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the legal requirements for operating radiographic equipment in a veterinary practice
- Understand the principles of radiography
- Understand how to take radiographs
- Know how to process radiographs and understand digital storage and communication systems
- Know the principles of alternative imaging techniques
3
Infection control in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the role of infection in animal and human health
- Understand the principles of disease transmission and isolation nursing in veterinary practice
- Understand the principles of disinfection and sterilisation
- Understand how to maintain a clean clinical environment
- Understand how to maintain personal hygiene in relation to cross-infection
- Understand the principles of infection monitoring
4
Laboratory diagnostics in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the function and use of laboratory equipment
- Understand how to collect and prepare specimens for examination
- Be able to test pathological specimens
- Be able to prepare specimens for transportation
5
Operating theatre practice for small animal veterinary nurses
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of operating theatre design and use
- Understand the use of operating theatre furniture and equipment
- Be able to dress and behave appropriately in an operating theatre
- Understand the principles of instrument care and sterilisation
- Be able to assist the operating surgeon as a circulating nurse
- Understand the management of instruments and materials during a surgicalprocedure
6
Operational requirements in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the roles of members of the veterinary team
- Understand the aims of effective health and safety within a veterinary practice
- Understand how to use and maintain equipment in a veterinary practice
- Understand how to maintain stocks of veterinary consumables and pharmaceuticals
- Know the principles of record-keeping
7
Practical monitoring of anaesthesia for small animal veterinary nurses
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to prepare
- use and maintain anaesthetic equipment
- Be able to assist with anaesthetic preparation and induction
- Be able to monitor an animal during anaesthesia and recovery
8
Practical small animal peri-operative veterinary nursing support
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to prepare a patient for surgery
- Provide immediate post-operative care
- Deliver nursing requirements of the convalescent patient
- Provide species-specific nursing for patients before, during and following specificprocedures
- Be able to facilitate home convalescence
9
Practical small animal veterinary nursing support
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to follow a plan and provide care for animals with a range of commonly encountered conditions
- Be able to maintain the hygiene of in-patients
- Be able to provide food and fluid to in-patients
- Be able to address the mobility and behavioural requirements of in-patients
- Be able to apply simple wound dressings and bandages and demonstrate effective wound management techniques
- Be able to administer medications
- Be able to perform a range of complex nursing techniques in support of sick animals
- Be able to provide nursing care to patients requiring isolation
- Be able to provide appropriate home plans for chronically sick animals
- Be able to participate in a veterinary nursing clinic
10
Principles of small animal peri-operative veterinary nursing support
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to prepare a patient for surgery
- Understand the requirements for immediate post-operative care
- Understand nursing requirements of the convalescent patient
- Know species-specific nursing requirements for patients before, during and following specific procedures
- Understand how to facilitate home convalescence
11
Principles of small animal veterinary nursing support
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how pathology affects the normal function of an animal
- Understand how to plan and deliver care for animals with a range of commonlyencountered conditions
- Understand the principles of wound healing and care
- Understand how to facilitate effective home and follow-up care for animals with long-term illness
- Understand how to support a client through grief and loss
12
Principles of supporting anaesthesia for small animal veterinary nurses
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of anaesthesia
- Know the function of anaesthetic drugs
- Understand the function of anaesthetic equipment
- Understand anaesthetic preparation and induction
- Understand the principles of monitoring an anaesthetised animal
- Know how to recognise and respond to anaesthetic emergencies
13
Professional relationships and communication in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the dynamics of communication
- Be able to communicate with clients and colleagues
- Understand factors affecting working relationships with clients and within theveterinary team
- Understand the principles of customer service
14
Professionalism and ethics for small animal veterinary nurses
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the legal frame
- work for veterinary nursing practice
- Understand the accountability of veterinary nurses
- Understand the application of ethical principles
- Understand the principles of consent to veterinary treatment
- Understand legal and ethical duties to clients, colleagues and animals
15
Small animal functional anatomy and physiology for veterinary nurses
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know anatomical and physiological terminology in relation to veterinary nursing practice
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of body systems in mammals
- Know the key anatomical features and body functions of birds and reptiles
- Be able to relate normal form and function to the effects of disorder in diseaseprocesses
16
Veterinary medicine supply in small animal practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the legal requirements in relation to the storage and supply of veterinary medicines
- Know how to supply veterinary medicines to clients
- Understand the principles of pharmacodynamics
- Provide advice to clients on the administration of veterinary medicines
17
Veterinary nursing care for hospitalised small animals
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of a systematic approach to the provision of nursing care
- Understand how to assess the condition of patients
- Understand the use of different types of accommodation for hospitalised animals
- Understand the basic nursing care and management of patients
- Understand the principles of intravenous cannulation
- Be able to administer medications
18
Veterinary nursing support for emergency and critical care of small animal patients
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of small animal first aid
- Know how to support emergency veterinary care
- Understand the nursing requirements of a critically ill or injured animal
- Understand special intensive nursing care techniques
- Know species-specific nursing requirements for patients requiring intensive care
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 603/2318/8
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- CQ
- Qualification Type
- Occupational Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2017