CLSD

RE: CLSD

Selena Carnell — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:20:31 GMT

same here, we've filled an rvn vacancy with a VCA it was either that or kill off our current staff due to over work.

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 16:32:53 GMT

[quote user="VetNurse Anon a/c"]

my manager does not want to pay a RVN wage and is making excuses to not hire someone else.

[/quote]

Might not have occurred to you but they may not be able to find an RVN ? - we were looking for months and never managed to turn up anything that wasn't a locum

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 16:26:46 GMT

[quote user="WelshyNurse"]

I did sole charge a few years ago and am not an RVN but my employers at the time did not ask anything of me that I wasn’t allowed to do.

[/quote]

I think most employers would be the same.

I can't imagine many employers would be asking anybody to do anything they aren't allowed to do because until you have the bit of paper that says you are an RVN it is their neck on the block.

The sole charge position - how long in hours or minutes would you be truly alone? I work in a practice with a single vet - at worst if the nursing assistant is on holiday I would only be alone for a maximum of 2 hours and during that two hours I am still able to contact the vet by phone for advice. Is it a busy practice or a small branch practice with limited opening hours? If the manager that has decided this is not a vet then that is why I suggested sitting down with the vet and talking it through. If it is the vet then they obviously feel you are up to doing the sole charge so along with the butterflies feel a little pride in there as well . Ok it can be a bit daunting to start with but see it as an opportunity to showcase your skills.

How far into the course are you - ie have you just started or are you nearing completion?

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

Alison Clare Hickman — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 14:42:35 GMT

Hiya, my two penn'oth for you... firstly, don't immediately panic about 'sole charge' (i.e. no VS on the premises) if your boss means no Schedule 3 responsibilities. I think you need to ask for more clarification as to the extent of this responsibility... unless you already know but haven't declared it here? I was sole charge as an SVN for OOH but the practice knew the limitations of this and I was absolutely made aware (and comforted) by what I could and couldn't do. If it doesn't involve any S3 and you need some training in any duties expected of you - ask for it.

If he/she does mean it with S3 responsibilities (e.g. IM injections) then that's a different ball-game...

Hope this helps you understand what you can (and shouldn't) do and, importantly, helps with the respectful chat you ask for with your boss; to sort things out for everyone's happiness, health and safety, (the patients', you, him/her and the practice pocket).

If I was in your shoes - would very politely and respectfully point out that I am not Qualified (yet) and whilst very happy to undertake Schedule 3 duties, these very definitely require me to be under supervision. This means your VS must be present on the premises. Moreover these duties are meant to be undertaken as an integral part of my learning.

Note that anyone SVN, RVN, receptionist, ANA or work experience can(and should) raise a flag and decline to undertake any duty, without assistance, that they feel untrained in. So, feel confident to state that this is the case for any job you are asked to do (and clearly very especially S3 duties). I should also speak to your college or university to alert them to your circumstances but as a matter of FYI, not involvement, at this stage; after a chat with your boss the issues might be fully resolved!

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/delegation-to-veterinary-nurses/

Student veterinary nurses under the direction of their veterinary surgeon employer to animals under their employer's care. In addition,

medical treatment or minor surgery must be supervised by a veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse and, in the case of minor surgery, the supervision must be direct, continuous and personal. The medical treatment or minor surgery must be carried out in the course of the student veterinary nurse's training (see paragraph 18.5).

18.5 The RCVS has interpreted these as follows:

'direction' means that the veterinary surgeon instructs the veterinary nurse or student veterinary nurse as to the tasks to be performed, but is not necessarily present.

'supervision' means that the veterinary surgeon is present on the premises and able to respond to a request for assistance if needed.

'direct, continuous and personal supervision' means that the veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse is present and giving the student veterinary nurse his/her undivided personal attention.

I truly hope that with a confident chat to your boss to ask for his/her help to sort things out, you will both be back on track and happy again. Go for it!

Ali h

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

Robyn — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 10:41:16 GMT

And you can ABSOLUTELY say no!!

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

Robyn — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 10:40:49 GMT

Discuss this with them, and make sure you're crystal clear on what you can and cannot do per the vet surgeons act if you do end up doing this! Don't let yourself be talked into doing anything you don't feel competent or confident doing by yourself, or doing anything you know is illegal for you to do!

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

WelshyNurse — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 09:38:24 GMT

How can you be a student nurse with no RVN? Who is your coach?

As others have mentione, a practice doeS not have to employ an RVN. But they should not expect you to do so if not comfortable and not expect you to carry out RVN dutie.

I did sole charge a few years ago and am not an RVN but my employers at the time did not ask anything of me that I wasn’t allowed to do.

I actually enjoyed sole charge and had a lovely kennel assistant helping me

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 00:34:44 GMT

first off a student nurse is not a qualified nurse.

Second in agreement with James there is no obligation for the practice to employ a qualified nurse - I work with 3 VNA's - when I am not there between the hours of 8.30 and 10.30am they are the nursing staff. If you aren't happy then might be productive for both yourself and the vet to sit down and work through the bits you feel less confident in? That way you may feel a bit happier about what is expected or possible

RE: PLEASE HELP - SVN left to work alone with no RVN in building - Is this fair?

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 22:42:06 GMT

You are allowed to say whatever you like!

There is no obligation on the practice to employ an RVN - there are practices out there that don't.

You do need to make it clear that you are not confident in this role! Assuming it is a VS then who looks after your training??