A RECOGNISED qualification is soon to be launched for Vet Techs working within UK, writes Dan Griffiths of Paragon Vets, based in Dalston, near Carlisle.

Veterinary practices, the qualification will provide a standard skill set for Vet Techs.

The course is set to be a level 5, Two year apprenticeship and has been developed by Independent farm practices, XLVets & Vetpartners which is due to be launched in autumnn2021 by Harper Adams University.

The course will follow the format of 80 percent of learning Karen McNeil being practical based out on farm and within the vet practice.

The remaining 20 percent will be Vet Tech, a mixture of online learning which we have all become familiar with during the pandemic and there will also be 2/3 intensive training sessions per year provided by the university.

With competent and hard working farm staff becoming increasingly difficult to find this is where Vet Techs could make a real difference on farm.

The qualification will help develop vets and farmers confidence in using Vet Techs for certain farm tasks e.g disbudding, mobility scoring and monitoring calf health, it will also ensure high health standards are maintained at all times.

The main aims as Vet Techs are to provide a hassle free, cost effective service which we hope farmers see as valuable to their business.

Keep a look out for the Vet Techs website which is currently under construction.

The purpose of the website is to give anybody interested in pursuing a career as a Vet Tech a bit of an insight into what the career entails and will also provide information to Veterinary practices who are thinking of introducing a Vet Tech Service.

For existing Vet Techs working within UK Veterinary practices, a number of forward thinking individuals from across the UK are working closely together to set up the British Vet Tech Association (BVTA).

This association will allow Vet Techs from different practices to share ideas and advice within their field and also provide further training opportunities.

There has already been a lot of positive interest and feedback regarding the qualification but if you are interested in this new exciting qualification please email info@vettechs.org.uk to find out further information.

The roots of the Paragon Veterinary Group stretch back to 1938 when a practice was established on Townhead Road, Dalston by John Cubby who qualified from Liverpool University in 1935. Initially the main workload was farm animals and horses, and many of those original farming families are still clients today. Over the years the practice has expanded to work with small animals, exotic species and birds and it has dealt with public health services as well.