Lantra Awards Level 4 Award as a Suitably Qualified Person

Who should attend?

This qualification is for you if you currently work in the animal health industry and have an interest in becoming an SQP.

It's also suitable for you if you're already a qualified SQP with one of three VMD regulators; AMTRA, VetSkill and Vetpol, and wish to upgrade your qualification with additional animal species.

You can add one, two or three species all together in one sitting, or top up your qualification gradually.

What will be covered?

This qualification will assess that you understand or know:

• What SQPs can legally do and their responsibilities
• The positive contribution SQPs make to society and animal health
• The principal factors when choosing a medicine
• How the veterinary industry is structured
• The importance of using the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) database compendium of datasheets
• How to distinguish between the different legal categories of medicines and how to select the correct category 
• The need for, and promotion of, responsible prescribing 
• How to store medicines correctly 
• How to demonstrate competency in administering medicines, understanding how medicines work and how this affects an SQP’s recommendations 
• Safety considerations and how to report adverse events 
• The principles of homeostasis 
• Protective mechanisms and health 
• The basic principles of anatomy and physiology 
• The basics of infectious and nutritional disease 
• The animal owner’s needs 
• When to refer to a vet 
• How to communicate effectively with owners away from the premises 
• The basic requirements for the health and welfare of companion animals (dogs, cats and rabbits) in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act
• The parameters of the SQP’s legal obligations in terms of supply and pharmacovigilance
• When to implement treatments for common endo- and ectoparasite infestations in dogs, cats and rabbits
• How to interact with a cat/dog/rabbit owner in accordance with SQP standards
• When to implement treatment for fly strike and fleas in rabbits
• How to work in accordance with the elements of the Animal Welfare Act for farm animals
• The different performance priorities farmers must balance to achieve their objectives 
• The principles of immunity 
• The importance and value of colostrum 
• The importance of working collaboratively with other professionals in herd health planning  
• Sheep/pig/beef/dairy farming priorities, key diseases and treatments in which SQPs may be involved
• The basic welfare requirements of birds
• The common avian diseases and their treatments 
• The obligations of the SQP when dealing with an avian customer
• Specified Feed Additives (SFAs) and their use
• The basic welfare requirements for horses
• The SQP’s legal responsibilities concerning horse passports
• The different kinds of endoparasites, their life cycles in horses and how they may be controlled
• The different kinds of ectoparasites and understand measures to control ectoparasites
• Understand the basics of skincare, wound and hoof care.

Other areas of interest

Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines (e-learning) as a taster or precursor for this qualification