Vet technician (livestock)

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The appropriate level of RCVS code of professional conduct for Vet Technicians and its associated guidance for the standards of professional practice. Back to Duty

K2: The scope of the business environment in which the vet practice operates and the need to meet ethical and legal responsibilities. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K4: The complexities of different agricultural environments and how this affects animal health and welfare. Back to Duty

K5: The principles and practices of handling unpredictable livestock in a safe manner and in line with Manual Handling Operations Regulations. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K7: Principles of collecting data to form reports to meet regulatory requirements of medicine legislation. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K10: The safe use of veterinary medicines and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) essentials for farmers. Back to Duty

K11: Diseases (zoonoses) caused by micro-organisms, which are subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). Back to Duty

K12: Communication strategies to develop effective working relationships and engage clients and practice colleagues. Back to Duty

K13: Husbandry procedures such as disbudding, foot trimming, non-surgical castration and tail docking, mobility assessment and growth monitoring. Back to Duty

K14: Strategies to ensure health and welfare of livestock and cost- effective preventative approaches. Back to Duty

K15: How to report concerns with livestock and/ or human welfare. Back to Duty

K16: Protocols for handling livestock during Vet Tech procedures. Back to Duty

K17: How collaboration with outside organisations can enhance animal health and welfare. E.g. Agricultural and Horticultural development board (AHDB). Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K19: Evaluating breeding values and methods of genetic improvements for health and productivity. Back to Duty

K20: Social responsibility to function sustainably and minimise waste. Back to Duty

K21: Livestock weighing and how to carry out body condition scoring to national guidelines. Back to Duty

K22: The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and vet led protocols and procedures when using blood sampling for diagnosis. Back to Duty

K23: The requirement to maintain client confidentiality and obligations under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations). Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

S2: Manage data collection for health plans and reports. Back to Duty

S3: Analyse, interpret, and evaluate data using appropriate software, to inform diagnosis/ recommendations for preventative treatment. Back to Duty

S4: Collaborate with agricultural staff to obtain information impacting on livestock health (e.g. feed rations). Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

S6: Identify environmental factors that can have a positive and/or negative effect on animal health and welfare. Back to Duty

S7: Plan and carry out livestock assessment, such as mobility assessment, weighing or body condition scoring. Back to Duty

S8: Identify when samples are required for parasite identification. Collect relevant samples in accordance with protocols and lab procedures. Back to Duty

S9: Complete disbudding/ horn removal of livestock. Back to Duty

S10: Plan and carry out blood sampling for disease or health analysis/diagnosis. Complete documentation for further lab analysis and to ensure traceability. Back to Duty

S11: Build rapport with clients whilst managing client expectations and competing priorities. Back to Duty

S12: Manage own workload, balancing cost and efficiency with livestock health and welfare priorities. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

S14: Monitor and manage requirements for equipment maintenance and repair. Back to Duty

S15: Identify, use and dispose of correct PPE appropriate to the task. Back to Duty

S16: Identify biosecurity risks and mitigate against them. Back to Duty

S17: Maintain client confidentiality in line with practice requirements and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations). Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Builds and maintains relationships with customers, colleagues, and suppliers. Back to Duty

B2: Maintains ethical standards required by the RCVS and complies with the appropriate RCVS approved day 1 code for a veterinary technician. Back to Duty

B3: Takes responsibility for planning and developing courses of action. Back to Duty

B4: Undertakes career professional development to maintain technical knowledge. Back to Duty

B5: Acts professionally and adapts style and method of communication to the circumstances and needs of individuals. Back to Duty

B6: Adheres to the requirements of health and safety legislation. Back to Duty