Qualified but not registered

Re: Qualified but not registered

Sharon Kelly — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:01:09 GMT

Hi Casey

This came up recently for me as I had RCVS Practice Standards Scheme inspections of the practices I manage.

After the Panorama thing, I luckily had the opportunity to ask an inspector directly what the guidance is:

He stated that if a nurse is qualified but not listed or registered, they are basically the equivalent of an unqualified nurse/nurse assistant as far as the RCVS is concerned. Therefore they shouldn't be performing any medical procedures including administering any medication via injection, blood samples and iv fluids, monitoring anaesthesia etc (microchipping is a slightly controversial issue to which he had no clear advice at this point)

Real shame for great experienced qualified unregistered nurses but the advice was crystal clear. The RCVS will also be clarifying this for the profession in the near future.

It does means as far as locums go, if they are unregistered/unlisted they will be restricted on what they can do within the nursing team and may therefore be paid less than an RVN.

I think you may find, in light of the Panorama programme that a lot of practices may be tightening up on this issue and requesting only RVN's for their locum positions.

Sorry to waffle on a bit but hope it helps!

Re: Qualified but not registered

Donna France — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:10:20 GMT

[quote user="Casey77"]

aha...Thanks a million Donna, I also read that on their website but like Sally missed the bit in brackets...damn my fast reading skills!

I guess it is like any other profession such as Physiotherapy, Dentistry etc...you've got to be on the list. But also it seems that if the vet I work for is happy for me to undertake general routine burse duties (just not sched 3) then it's ok. At least that is what understand...

Thanks guys!

[/quote]

No worries, Yeah if its a practice that are happy with your skills then I cant see a problem.

Re: Qualified but not registered

Sal the 1st — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:11:25 GMT

As there are locum agencies sending out unqualified locums I guess that will be the case and if the practice you are working for is happy with this - but dont know where you would stand re insurance? Maybe clarify it with RCVS to be sure

Re: Qualified but not registered

Casey77 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:55:03 GMT

aha...Thanks a million Donna, I also read that on their website but like Sally missed the bit in brackets...damn my fast reading skills!

Thanks guys!

Re: Qualified but not registered

salliee5 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:33:10 GMT

oops! silly me I see it!

Re: Qualified but not registered

Donna France — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:31:42 GMT

Hi,

The bit in brackets next to unqualified says( or unregistered or unlisted), I presume this is the situation for casey.

Probably best ringing the RCVS for advice to be sure

Re: Qualified but not registered

salliee5 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:28:28 GMT

Yes I have wondered this too actually!

What you got from the website is talking about unqualified people though? If Casey is qualified and has the papers to prove it, it must be different right?

I also thought that about the RVN and 2003 thing, but I guess if you are not listed you can't be registered. There must be loads of qualified nurses out there who are not on the RVCS list but still practice....

Re: Qualified but not registered

Donna France — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:18:03 GMT

Ha, dont know why it has copied and pasted like that!

Re: Qualified but not registered

Donna France — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:17:08 GMT

Hiya

As far as im aware, anyone qualiying after the 1st of January 2003 would automatically take up the registered bit of the title.

Im not sure how it stands if you havnt paid your fee's,

Just found this on RCVS website.....

How do I stand in relation to unqualified

nurses in my practice?

Unqualified (and qualified but unlisted or

unregistered) nurses may undertake the

nursing care of animals and assist in the

general running of a veterinary practice.

However, they may not give any medical

treatment or undertake any surgical

procedure on an animal, even if asked to do

so by a veterinary surgeon.

The Guide requires RVNs to ensure that they

are aware of the limits of practice for lay

staff and students (veterinary and nursing). It

also requires that you must be sure that any

person to whom you delegate work is:

• Legally entitled to carry out the work

• Competent to do so

You must therefore take care when delegating

any work to another person, regardless of

whether or not it is a Schedule 3 procedure,

that the person you are expecting to carry

it out is competent to do so. In the case

of Schedule 3 work, you must also be sure

that they are a veterinary surgeon, Listed or

Registered VN or a student working under

appropriate veterinary supervision.

Hope this helps?