Accreditation Panel Members

The RCVS undertakes formal visitations to UK veterinary nurse training providers to monitor compliance with the Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training. 

The interval between visitations is normally 5 years, however, this is at the discretion of the VN Education Committee. Visitations are carried out by a panel made up of 5 or 6 members who are led by a Chair.

Do you want to be considered as an RCVS visitor?

We are keen to expand our pool of possible panel members and invite veterinary nurses who have not previously taken part to be considered to join our visitation panels.

Each visiting panel is usually made up of one representative from the RCVS and three representatives from different backgrounds within the veterinary nursing profession, as well as an external Chair.  The areas covered by the external panel members include student representatives, employer representatives and education representatives.

Each member provides a unique perspective for the panel and is expected to contribute fully to all aspects of the accreditation process. This includes:

• a thorough review of the accreditation application and supporting documentation
• attendance and contribution to the pre-accreditation panel meetings
• engagement and contribution during the accreditation event
• writing of the relevant sections of the report within the timescale required
• review of the proposed action plan

Licence to practise accreditations take place over three days; you will need to be available for the duration of the event and commit the time to the application review and report writing. It is anticipated that this will equate to approximately seven working days.

Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing accreditations take place over two days; you will need to be available for the duration of the event and commit the time to the application review and report writing. It is anticipated that this will equate to approximately three working days.

Loss of earnings allowance is paid for your time away from work.

All panel members are required to attend an online training session, in order to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Accreditation Standards Framework.  Panel members will need good problem solving skills, the ability to interpret large amounts of complex information, and good communication skills.

If you would like more information about becoming a VN Visitor, please contact the RCVS via email at [email protected] indicating which area you would be representing. You will then be provided with the role specification and an application form, which must be completed and returned to [email protected].

It is important that your application includes sufficient detail to demonstrate your suitability as a panel member. Whilst applications from student and employer representatives are reviewed by the VN Qualifications Lead, educator representatives are considered by the VN Education Committee.  In order to agree the appropriate level of programme that an expert can review, the VN Education Committee must be able to make an informed decision and so requires enough detail and examples of your experience with the essential criteria.