CVS has launched a new Patient Care Assistant Hub to help its PCAs – and non-clinical staff wanting to step into a PCA role – develop their skills and excel in their role.
Thought to be a first in the profession, the PCA Hub aims to provide a foundation in all of the attributes required of a great veterinary PCA – all in one place.
Within the profession it is believed that many veterinary colleagues are unaware of what PCAs can do.
Often PCAs are not used to their full potential and are instead performing basic tasks such as sterilisation and cleaning.
The new PCA Hub sits on CVS’ unique Knowledge Hub. It provides a wide range of online CPD, training, resources and support designed specifically for PCAs.
Courses span the wide remit of the PCA including theatre practice, dispensary, lab skills, consulting skills, neonatal care and inpatient care.
Training ranges from short bite size learning to an in-depth Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support Apprenticeship.
While resources include articles, videos and webinars on a variety of topics.
CVS’ new PCA Hub has been made available to all colleagues in both in practices and support operations. Many of the courses are free or trainees can use their CPD allowance.
Rob Kelly, head of clinical veterinary education at CVS, said: “We want our Patient Care Assistants to have better job satisfaction and to make their day-to-day jobs more rewarding. We also want practices to understand the skills they have and to use them to their full potential, whilst freeing up other clinical staff to do other jobs.
“So this new hub for the first time provides all of the training, resources and support required by our Patient Care Assistants – in a one-stop-shop.
“The courses have been specifically designed to provide our PCAs with their own continuous professional development.
“A lot of PCAs will also go on to become student vet nurses, so giving them this foundation will hugely help them with their future studies.”
The PCA Hub is one of a number of hubs being developed by CVS’ learning, education and development team. These already include “client care” and “leadership”, with more to come.
To access the PCA Hub visit the PCA Hub website. For more information about CVS Group visit their website.
