What is the role of unqualified staff in a veterinary practice?
A veterinary practice may employ many different types of staff, including veterinary surgeons, listed or registered veterinary nurses, unqualified staff, practice managers and receptionists.
Unqualified nursing assistants – those who are neither qualified and listed with the RCVS nor enrolled as a student veterinary nurse with the RCVS – are only permitted to treat an animal to the extent that any other member of the public can, although they can undertake general animal care and basic supportive care. This is the case even if the individual has some other qualification, such as an Animal Nursing or Veterinary Care Assistant, and regardless of the number of years that he or she has worked within a veterinary practice.
