Responsibilities of Veterinary Nurses in Practice

Animal Health and Welfare

Primary consideration for veterinary nurses in practice.

Area of Competence

Veterinary nurses must work within their skill limits.

Emergency First Aid

Immediate care provided by nurses in urgent situations.

Pain Relief

Management of animal discomfort per nurse's skills.

Responsible Medicine Administration

Veterinary nurses must supply medications carefully.

Professional Communication

Essential for ensuring animal welfare and health.

Clinical Governance

Framework for maintaining professional standards in practice.

Client Honesty

Veterinary nurses must be transparent with clients.

Impartial Advice

Veterinary nurses must avoid conflicts of interest.

Client Information

Nurses must inform clients about services and costs.

Informed Consent

Obtaining client agreement before treatments or procedures.

Clinical Records

Accurate documentation of nursing and client interactions.

Client Confidentiality

Protection of client information unless permitted otherwise.

Responding to Complaints

Veterinary nurses must address client concerns promptly.

Fitness to Practice

Addressing health issues that affect professional capability.

Professional Development

Continuous learning and skill enhancement required.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Coverage for professional activities against liabilities.

Registration with RCVS

Mandatory for veterinary nurses to practice legally.

Disclosure to RCVS

Reporting any cautions or convictions affecting registration.

Public Health Protection

Veterinary nurses must safeguard public and animal health.

Honest Reporting

Veterinary nurses must provide accurate facts and opinions.

Professional Advertising

Promotion of services must maintain professional standards.

Legislative Compliance

Adherence to laws governing veterinary service provision.

Professional Conduct

Avoiding actions that harm the profession's reputation.

Delegation of Tasks

Assigning duties only to qualified personnel.

Core Standards

Minimum practice standards set by RCVS Practice Standards.

Whistle-blowing

Reporting unethical practices to protect animal welfare.

Veterinary Team Coordination

Collaboration among veterinary staff for animal care.