The GA Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills qualification has been created by the BVRA utilising a wide range of leading experts within the veterinary field, including veterinary receptionists, RVNs and veterinary surgeons to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum.
Progressing on from the BVRA Foundation Course, the Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills is a comprehensive qualification that will give veterinary receptionists the skills and insights to develop their veterinary receptionist career. It gives a nationally recognised qualification which can be used to progress to further learning within the veterinary sector, or beyond.
This qualification aims to equip learners with comprehensive knowledge of key aspects of a veterinary receptionist’s role, including the principles of working as a veterinary receptionist, communication, customer service skills and teamwork, administration, diary management and practice operations. Learners will gain an understanding of preventative health and welfare and gain the essential skills in dealing with pet bereavement and grief support and, assessing the urgency of various emergencies to prioritise appropriately.
The qualification comprises 6 units and on successful completion your will be awarded with a Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills.
How to Apply
To apply for the Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills please download and complete in full the application form. Please send your completed form to contact@embarkcpd.co.uk along with a copy of supporting identification (this can be a passport, driver’s license, or utility bill).
The name on the ID provided is the name that will be used on the certificate of completion.
Once your registration has been approved and payment has been made, the Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills will be made available for you to access from your BVRA dashboard.
GA Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills comprises six Mandatory Units
Click on each Unit below to see a breakdown of the topics covered in each.
Unit 1 – Communication and Customer Service Skills
This Unit is Ofqual Unit Y/651/4399
- Veterinary Regulatory Bodies
- Effective Communication
- Team Communication
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Complaint Handling
- Multitasking, Time and Diary Management
Unit 2 – The Principles of Working as a Veterinary Receptionist
This Unit is Ofqual Unit J/651/4400
- Human Companion Animal Bond
- Mindfulness and Resilience
- Human Resources
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Pet Bereavement
Unir 3 – Administration and Veterinary Practice Operations
This Unit is Ofqual Unit K/651/4401
- Pre-Operation, In Patient and Post Operation
- Pet Insurance and Pet Health Care Plans
- Financial Transactions
- Veterinary Medicine and Dispensing
- Health and Safety
- Pet Travel Scheme
- Promoting the Practice
Unit 4 – Preventative Healthcare
This Unit is Ofqual Unit L/651/4402
- Preventative Health and Welfare
- Pet Vaccinations
- Pet Identification
- Dental Disease
- Parasitology
- Pet Neutering
- Imaging and Diagnostic Testing
- Pet Life Stages
Unit 5 – Animal Triage and First Aid
This Unit is Ofqual Unit M/651/4403
- Animal First Aid
- Triage
- Communication and Prioritising Triage
- Emergency Categories
- Client Communication
Unt 6 – Euthanasia Process and Bereavement Support
This Unit is Ofqual Unit R/651/4404
- Emotional Impact and Grieving Process
- Euthanasia Process
- Communication with Clients
- After Euthanasia
- Supporting Clients
- Pet Loss Support and Self Care
BVRA Members
£599+VAT
- Save £100+VAT as a BVRA Member!
- Unsure if you're a member? Contact us on info@bvra.co.uk to check
Non Members
£699+VAT
- Want to join as a BVRA member before going ahead? Contact us on info@bvra.co.uk
If you would like to complete the Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills over two years, you can pay £320+VAT in year one and £329+VAT in year two. This includes the examination registration fee.
In year one you will be required to complete the first three units and assessment. In year two you will be required to complete the remaining three units and assessment and on successful completion you will receive your GA Level 3 Certificate in Veterinary Reception Skills
*If you are interested in this route, please contact us on info@bvra.co.uk*
BVRA Associate Veterinary Receptionists receive a 5% discount on this qualification!
(You can now sign up as an individual BVRA member for £50+VAT per year. By doing so, you save £100+VAT on your Level 3 Certificate plus you get all of our additional membership benefits, which can be found here.)
You must be over 16 years of age.
This qualification is aimed at learners working full or part-time in a front of house role, are involved in veterinary receptionist duties already or have previous experience of working in the role.
There are no other formal entry requirements for this qualification; however, due to the nature of the qualification content, those undertaking the qualification must have a proficient level of spoken and written English (e.g. GCSE Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent). It may also be appropriate for learners to be undertaking Level 2 maths and English qualifications alongside studying for this vocational qualification at Level 2.
It is recommended that prior to commencing a programme of study leading to this qualification, candidates receive detailed advice and guidance from the training provider in order to ensure the programme and qualification will meet their needs. If you are in doubt about your eligibility to complete this qualification please contact us directly at info@bvra.co.uk.
Gatehouse Awards
Gatehouse Awards Ltd is an Ofqual-recognised private limited company registered in the UK, operating as an Awarding Organisation involved in the design, development and award of regulated qualifications.
Gatehouse Awards (GA) qualifications are designed to give candidates the skills to be active in the modern labour market and progress in their career and/or into higher level study.
iPet Network
iPET Network is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, CCEA Regulation and Qualifications Wales. iPET Network specialises in the creation of qualifications in the Animal Care and Veterinary Science sector. iPET Network is unique in its approach, being a sector specific Awarding Organisation.
iPET Network demand the highest standard of practice to ensure their suite of qualifications work for pets, learners and training providers. Quality is at the heart of what they do.
What does Ofqual signify?
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England. Ofqual’s remit and responsibilities are established in law by the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and the Education Act 2011.
Ofqual are responsible for making sure that:
Regulated qualifications reliably indicate the knowledge, skills and understanding students have demonstrated.
Assessments and exams show what a student has achieved.
People have confidence in the qualifications that they regulate.
Students and teachers have information on the full range of qualifications that they regulate.
Click here to find this qualification on the Ofqual website.
The content for the Level 3 Certificate has been written with the help of experts across the veterinary industry including:
Additional FAQ’s
This qualification will give you increased skills and confidence in carrying out your duties. It will support you and will help you cope with the challenges involved in the role. It will also help you support your colleagues and make the overall workplace more efficient for all. You will receive a nationally awarded qualification which will be recognised not only within your practice but externally as well. It will provide the opportunity to build on this as a stepping stone to further study and career progression.
We would expect a significant Return on Investment (ROI) for your practice. By supporting relevant staff Continuing Professional Development (CPD), your practice will attract and retain key staff.
The average cost of employee turnover, based on the average UK salary, is around £11,000 per person.
Additionally upskilling receptionists and other key non-clinical staff, means they can better support the clinical team, thus improving overall efficiency, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall practice profit.
Yes, tutor support will be available for the duration of the qualification. You will have a designated tutor who will be available on set days/times via email, telephone or video call.
No, it is not a requirement in order to enrol and successfully complete this qualification, however where possible having a mentor inhouse to support you would be advantageous. Ideally this is someone who has a level 3 or above qualification, and/or several years’ relevant experience within the industry.
All the learning materials will be readily available so you will be able to start right away once you are enrolled!
You can plan your studies around your existing commitments and be in control of the pace and place of your learning.
You will have twenty four (24) months in total to complete the qualification from your initial registration date. (Under exceptional circumstances you can apply for a limited extension of this time, if granted, this may also be subject to an additional fee.)
Your L3 Certificate will be issued within three months of completion of the course work and assessment
There are no exams to sit and each Unit has a range of assessment tasks aimed at meeting the assessment criteria of the Unit.
You will have time to thoroughly understand a Unit before completing any assignments.
Yes, on successful completion of the Level 3 you will automatically be enrolled as an AVR for one year, free of charge.
Most qualifications have a difficulty level. The higher the level, the more difficult the qualification is. Examples of level 3 qualifications are A levels, T levels, International Baccalaureate and advanced apprenticeships.
Qualifications at the same level sometimes cover different amounts of the same subject. The overall length of the qualification will dictate if it is an award, certificate, or diploma. This level 3 qualification is a certificate.
Yes. Installment payment options are available to receptionists who are purchasing the qualification themselves. This will not be an option for practice payments. Please contact us on info@bvra.co.uk if you require installment payments.