Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma
Why you should study with us
Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma Course
This course will give you an overview of the veterinary industry, the role played by Veterinary Support Assistants (VSAs), and the most common issues and challenges faced by those working in the profession. It will equip you with the knowledge you will need to communicate effectively with other members of the veterinary team and further your career in this sector. Working as a VSA is a great way of making a real difference to the lives of sick and injured animals on a daily basis. However, the terminology and technical knowledge required to succeed as a VSA can seem intimidating to industry newcomers. This course presents key concepts in animal care in a straightforward manner, so that you can begin your career with confidence. You will also obtain a working knowledge of key legislation necessary to keep you and your patients safe. From administering first aid to routine surgery, you will learn what happens in the consultation rooms and operating theatres in a typical veterinary practice. The course addresses patient care at every stage of treatment, from diagnosis to surgery and post-operation recovery. It focuses primarily on the treatment of common domestic species, but the needs of exotic animals and horses are also addressed. In light of the increasing emphasis on customer service within the industry, the course also examines the typical customer's experience as they seek out the best possible care for their pet. Owners can become highly stressed when their beloved pet is ill, and this course contains practical advice for communicating effectively with customers facing emotional strain both in person and on the telephone. This course will provide anyone looking to work as a VSA with a realistic insight into the workings of a veterinary practice and future options for career progression. It will also be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about animal care or further their knowledge of the veterinary industry in general.What you will learn:
- An introduction to veterinary medicine and job roles available within the industry
- How to improve your chances of getting a job as a VSA and how to undertake further training once you have obtained a position
- Health and safety issues that affect VSAs including the pieces of legislation addressing animal welfare and workplace safety
- How veterinary patients are cared for and monitored by veterinary staff during their stay
- An overview of animal welfare issues, including common ethical dilemmas and frameworks for making difficult decisions
- Common terminology and equipment used by veterinary staff in consultations and during surgery
- The most common procedures, including diagnostic tests, used in veterinary medicine
- How to handle a variety of animal species, including cats, dogs, horses and small mammals
- How emergency situations are handled, from initial assessment through to the administration of first aid and treatment
- The role of customer service in a modern veterinary surgery and how a practice can establish a positive role within the wider community
Benefits of taking this course:
- You can learn the material any place, any time, and at your own speed.
- All you need is an internet-enabled device.
- Content is presented as brief modules, making learning easy. Access to an online support system.
- A complete overview of the issues faced by those working as VSAs in modern veterinary practices.
- Affordable cost.
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
- The key purposes and functions of a veterinary practice
- A brief history of veterinary medicine
- Why it is important to understand the role of each member of a veterinary team
- An overview of the most common roles within a practice, including the necessary qualifications and main responsibilities
- The entry requirements for entering into the veterinary profession as a veterinary support assistant (VSA)
- Why it is beneficial to pursue a formal qualification
- The most popular qualifications open to VSAs
- The main areas covered by VSA qualifications
- Why you need to be aware of health and safety laws and legislation from the outset of your career in the veterinary industry
- The purposes of health and safety legislation
- The nature and purpose of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
- The nature and purpose of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Why a VSA should be familiar with the techniques used to monitor inpatients
- The assessment process for newly admitted patients
- How veterinary staff ensure that inpatients are given the opportunity to have their usual day to day needs met
- The most commonly monitored measures of health, such as temperature and blood pressure
- What is meant by animal welfare and why it is important to consider the practical and philosophical issues raised by the topic
- The nature and purpose of the Five Freedoms model approach to animal welfare
- The meaning of the term “stakeholders” in relation to animal health and welfare
- The role of ethics in maintaining animal health and welfare
- Why VSAs need to be familiar with common terminology and equipment
- Common prefixes used by veterinary professionals
- Common suffixes used by veterinary professionals
- The equipment most commonly used in a consultation room
- The purpose of anaesthesia and the ways in which it is administered
- The most common surgical procedures carried out by veterinary surgeons
- Diagnostic tests used in veterinary practice to identify health problems in patients
- The day to day practices that comprise nursing care and how they are carried out
- Why animal handling is a key skill for vets, RVNs and VSAs
- Essential points to bear in mind when handling dogs
- Essential points to bear in mind when handling cats
- How to handle small mammals, including hamsters and rabbits
- Why VSAs should be familiar with common emergencies arising in everyday veterinary practice
- The purposes and nature of first aid and who is responsible for its administration
- The importance of triage and initial assessment, in ensuring the best possible outcome for a patient
- An overview of emergency procedures, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), blood transfusions and the Heimlich Manoeuvre
- Why customer service is an important skill for everyone working in a veterinary practice
- How the typical customer selects a veterinary practice
- How understanding the customer’s journey can help you deliver great customer service
- How to interact positively with customers on the telephone
ID: YDFT67YHJ
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
Your Name
For completing the
Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma
on 21st November 2025
Selena Hurford
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
The course is broken down into 10 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Once you have completed all 10 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 10 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate to a UK address, there will be an admin charge of £10 (certificates sent internationally may cost more).
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
We estimate that the course will take about 0 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
Helpful tips learned during the course and many fun facts. I will be completing 6 more courses after this one. Such a great learning experience. The knowledge in each package is phenomenal!
Each course is broken down into modules to make it easy to break down the course for short breaks and as soon as you sign back in again it remembers where you left off in your course. How clever!
I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to brush up their knowledge and skills. Best of luck!
100% Recommended. New Skills Academy is the best!
Dora Christou
It's very easy to use the website and you can access all the information you need to learn. The tutors are very quick to respond what makes even easier to understand and move on with the studies.
Very happy with the course.
Cindy Miceli
This course was excellent, detailed and enjoyable. It gave me lots of information and helped me develop my skills and knowledge to assist facilitate learning of students that have special educational needs. It outlined the main conditions that fall into the categories of SEN and a detailed explanation of them.
This course also gave me lots of ideas on how to assist learners and the confidence of how to develop my teaching resources. It also highlighted the relevant legislation covering special educational needs and gave me important information regarding the roles and responsibilities of the SENCO and the teacher in supporting learners.
I now feel more confident that I will be able to support these students better.
Emma Louise Dalton
I was a bit nervous when I first purchased the nail technician diploma online course for the one reason that it was so cheap compared to other online courses I had seen.
I have recently taken this course and i can honestly say that it is so easy to follow and you really do learn all the things you need to know to become a successful nail technician from the nail anatomy to starting your own business and all the other helpful bits in between.
I can't believe I am well on my way to becoming a qualified nail technician:) If you are worried about purchasing this course then don't be! This course is brilliant and I would recommend to anyone! xxx
Emma Thorpe
Absolutely loved this course!! I am very happy with my experience in completing this online course with New Skills Academy.
It was an easy process and their website is very easy to get around. No stress over time limits. I worked through the course at my own pace, and from the comforts of my own home.
Very informative and loved the worksheet after each module which gave me a chance to really think about the work needed for the final test and gave me a chance to really understand each module.
I will definitely be putting what I have learned from the course into practice within our office.
Natalie Rogerson
Great course. Easily readable online, no jargon and had up to date information and illustrations as well as the sources that were used within the modules. Most modules had an assessment at the end where you could check your own knowledge - this was a great add on to ensure you are up to speed. The exam was easily laid out great with no tricky to read questions. The completion certificate was easily accessible on completion and you are given your grade immediately after the exam - it even gives you the option to see your incorrect answers so you can review them in your own leisure. All of the modules are printable so you can ready back as often as you like. Not only this, but throughout the whole course, you have the ability to email representatives of the course who will answer any questions you may have and they are very prompt with their responses. I was overall very happy with this course and will definitely keep New Skills Academy in mind when taking future course. Thank you!
Gemma Johnston
Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma Course
This course will give you an overview of the veterinary industry, the role played by Veterinary Support Assistants (VSAs), and the most common issues and challenges faced by those working in the profession. It will equip you with the knowledge you will need to communicate effectively with other members of the veterinary team and further your career in this sector. Working as a VSA is a great way of making a real difference to the lives of sick and injured animals on a daily basis. However, the terminology and technical knowledge required to succeed as a VSA can seem intimidating to industry newcomers. This course presents key concepts in animal care in a straightforward manner, so that you can begin your career with confidence. You will also obtain a working knowledge of key legislation necessary to keep you and your patients safe. From administering first aid to routine surgery, you will learn what happens in the consultation rooms and operating theatres in a typical veterinary practice. The course addresses patient care at every stage of treatment, from diagnosis to surgery and post-operation recovery. It focuses primarily on the treatment of common domestic species, but the needs of exotic animals and horses are also addressed. In light of the increasing emphasis on customer service within the industry, the course also examines the typical customer's experience as they seek out the best possible care for their pet. Owners can become highly stressed when their beloved pet is ill, and this course contains practical advice for communicating effectively with customers facing emotional strain both in person and on the telephone. This course will provide anyone looking to work as a VSA with a realistic insight into the workings of a veterinary practice and future options for career progression. It will also be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about animal care or further their knowledge of the veterinary industry in general.What you will learn:
- An introduction to veterinary medicine and job roles available within the industry
- How to improve your chances of getting a job as a VSA and how to undertake further training once you have obtained a position
- Health and safety issues that affect VSAs including the pieces of legislation addressing animal welfare and workplace safety
- How veterinary patients are cared for and monitored by veterinary staff during their stay
- An overview of animal welfare issues, including common ethical dilemmas and frameworks for making difficult decisions
- Common terminology and equipment used by veterinary staff in consultations and during surgery
- The most common procedures, including diagnostic tests, used in veterinary medicine
- How to handle a variety of animal species, including cats, dogs, horses and small mammals
- How emergency situations are handled, from initial assessment through to the administration of first aid and treatment
- The role of customer service in a modern veterinary surgery and how a practice can establish a positive role within the wider community
Benefits of taking this course:
- You can learn the material any place, any time, and at your own speed.
- All you need is an internet-enabled device.
- Content is presented as brief modules, making learning easy. Access to an online support system.
- A complete overview of the issues faced by those working as VSAs in modern veterinary practices.
- Affordable cost.
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
- The key purposes and functions of a veterinary practice
- A brief history of veterinary medicine
- Why it is important to understand the role of each member of a veterinary team
- An overview of the most common roles within a practice, including the necessary qualifications and main responsibilities
- The entry requirements for entering into the veterinary profession as a veterinary support assistant (VSA)
- Why it is beneficial to pursue a formal qualification
- The most popular qualifications open to VSAs
- The main areas covered by VSA qualifications
- Why you need to be aware of health and safety laws and legislation from the outset of your career in the veterinary industry
- The purposes of health and safety legislation
- The nature and purpose of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
- The nature and purpose of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Why a VSA should be familiar with the techniques used to monitor inpatients
- The assessment process for newly admitted patients
- How veterinary staff ensure that inpatients are given the opportunity to have their usual day to day needs met
- The most commonly monitored measures of health, such as temperature and blood pressure
- What is meant by animal welfare and why it is important to consider the practical and philosophical issues raised by the topic
- The nature and purpose of the Five Freedoms model approach to animal welfare
- The meaning of the term “stakeholders” in relation to animal health and welfare
- The role of ethics in maintaining animal health and welfare
- Why VSAs need to be familiar with common terminology and equipment
- Common prefixes used by veterinary professionals
- Common suffixes used by veterinary professionals
- The equipment most commonly used in a consultation room
- The purpose of anaesthesia and the ways in which it is administered
- The most common surgical procedures carried out by veterinary surgeons
- Diagnostic tests used in veterinary practice to identify health problems in patients
- The day to day practices that comprise nursing care and how they are carried out
- Why animal handling is a key skill for vets, RVNs and VSAs
- Essential points to bear in mind when handling dogs
- Essential points to bear in mind when handling cats
- How to handle small mammals, including hamsters and rabbits
- Why VSAs should be familiar with common emergencies arising in everyday veterinary practice
- The purposes and nature of first aid and who is responsible for its administration
- The importance of triage and initial assessment, in ensuring the best possible outcome for a patient
- An overview of emergency procedures, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), blood transfusions and the Heimlich Manoeuvre
- Why customer service is an important skill for everyone working in a veterinary practice
- How the typical customer selects a veterinary practice
- How understanding the customer’s journey can help you deliver great customer service
- How to interact positively with customers on the telephone
ID: YDFT67YHJ
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
Your Name
For completing the
Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma
on 21st November 2025
Selena Hurford
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
The course is broken down into 10 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Once you have completed all 10 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 10 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate to a UK address, there will be an admin charge of £10 (certificates sent internationally may cost more).
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
We estimate that the course will take about 0 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
Helpful tips learned during the course and many fun facts. I will be completing 6 more courses after this one. Such a great learning experience. The knowledge in each package is phenomenal!
Each course is broken down into modules to make it easy to break down the course for short breaks and as soon as you sign back in again it remembers where you left off in your course. How clever!
I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to brush up their knowledge and skills. Best of luck!
100% Recommended. New Skills Academy is the best!
Dora Christou
It's very easy to use the website and you can access all the information you need to learn. The tutors are very quick to respond what makes even easier to understand and move on with the studies.
Very happy with the course.
Cindy Miceli
This course was excellent, detailed and enjoyable. It gave me lots of information and helped me develop my skills and knowledge to assist facilitate learning of students that have special educational needs. It outlined the main conditions that fall into the categories of SEN and a detailed explanation of them.
This course also gave me lots of ideas on how to assist learners and the confidence of how to develop my teaching resources. It also highlighted the relevant legislation covering special educational needs and gave me important information regarding the roles and responsibilities of the SENCO and the teacher in supporting learners.
I now feel more confident that I will be able to support these students better.
Emma Louise Dalton
I was a bit nervous when I first purchased the nail technician diploma online course for the one reason that it was so cheap compared to other online courses I had seen.
I have recently taken this course and i can honestly say that it is so easy to follow and you really do learn all the things you need to know to become a successful nail technician from the nail anatomy to starting your own business and all the other helpful bits in between.
I can't believe I am well on my way to becoming a qualified nail technician:) If you are worried about purchasing this course then don't be! This course is brilliant and I would recommend to anyone! xxx
Emma Thorpe
Absolutely loved this course!! I am very happy with my experience in completing this online course with New Skills Academy.
It was an easy process and their website is very easy to get around. No stress over time limits. I worked through the course at my own pace, and from the comforts of my own home.
Very informative and loved the worksheet after each module which gave me a chance to really think about the work needed for the final test and gave me a chance to really understand each module.
I will definitely be putting what I have learned from the course into practice within our office.
Natalie Rogerson
Great course. Easily readable online, no jargon and had up to date information and illustrations as well as the sources that were used within the modules. Most modules had an assessment at the end where you could check your own knowledge - this was a great add on to ensure you are up to speed. The exam was easily laid out great with no tricky to read questions. The completion certificate was easily accessible on completion and you are given your grade immediately after the exam - it even gives you the option to see your incorrect answers so you can review them in your own leisure. All of the modules are printable so you can ready back as often as you like. Not only this, but throughout the whole course, you have the ability to email representatives of the course who will answer any questions you may have and they are very prompt with their responses. I was overall very happy with this course and will definitely keep New Skills Academy in mind when taking future course. Thank you!
Gemma Johnston
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