Roles and Responsibilities

Question 1

members of the veterinary team?

Answer 1

veterinary surgeons
veterinary nurses
practice manager 
animal nursing assistants
receptionists
support staff

Question 2

veterinary surgeons?

Answer 2

only people who can practice veterinary surgery and medicine in the UK

• diagnosis of disease
• perform tests, medical treatments and surgical operations
• patient management

Question 3

veterinary nurses?

Answer 3

supportive nursing care 
diagnostic imaging 
lab testing
monitoring anaesthesia 
customer care

Question 4

practice manager?

Answer 4

runs accounts, human resources and marketing

Question 5

animal nursing assistants?

Answer 5

first aid
supportive care under direction/supervision
cleaning
reception
handling med and stock control
restraint
monitoring 
general care

Question 6

receptionist?

Answer 6

first point of contact

• appointments
• queries
• payments
• vaccination reminders
• referrals
• insurance

Question 7

support staff?

Answer 7

admin
cleaners
maintenance
lab technicians

play an important role in helping the practice to run smoothly

Question 8

VS considerations when delegating tasks to nurses?

Answer 8

• how difficult procedure is in light of risks
• whether the nurse is qualified to treat the species
• whether the nurse understands the associated risks
• whether the nurse has the necessary experience
• whether the nurse can react appropriately if problems occur
• whether the nurse feels capable to carry out the procedure

must be able to assist if needed

Question 9

who can perform anaesthesia?

Answer 9

administration done by VS

maintaining is responsibility of VS
- a suitable trained person may assist - evidence of training must be provided

monitoring and recovery responsibility of VS
- can be delegated to a suitable trained person

RCVS state the most suitable person of these tasks is and RVN or a SVN under supervision

Question 10

who can give vaccinations?

Answer 10

first vaccination

• VS must carry out clinical assessment
• VS or RVN/SVN under direction can administer

second vaccination

• authorised by VS at time of first vaccine
• VS should be on premises in case of adverse reaction

booster

• same rules as first
• because not close in time to first vaccination

Question 11

who can perform dentals and microchipping?

Answer 11

extraction of teeth not minor surgery so must be VS
- VNs can clean and remove plaque

microchipping

• VS
• VNs/SVNs under direction of VNs
• anyone assessed on a training course
• anyone who received training prior to 2015