Two-year veterinary technician training
Who is and what does the Veterinary Technician do?
Confprofessions' CCNL finalised with the signing of the Veterinary Technician job description
Who is and what does the Veterinary Technician do?
The veterinary technician is a professional figure who assists the veterinary doctor during clinical and surgical activities, collaborates in the organisation of the facility, and manages the relationship with the client and his/her animal. He/she is responsible for reception, preparation of spaces and instruments, support for medical and surgical procedures, and management of clinical and administrative documentation.
Since 2 July 2015, the role has been officially recognised in the National Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL) for Professional Studies, thanks to the signing of Confprofessioni, CGIL, CISL e UIL. The Annex to the contract clearly defines their profile, competences and tasks, thus consolidating the presence of the veterinary technician in the veterinary professional sector.
Is it a recognised figure?
In the previous CCNL of Confprofessioni the Veterinary Technician was only mentioned, without a clear definition. With the new National Collective Labour Agreement, approved in 2015 by Confprofessioni together with CGIL, CISL e UIL, the figure finally obtains formal recognition, with specific roles, competencies and training.
The Veterinary Technician is a supporting professional to the veterinary doctor, with two-year post-school training, who collaborates in professional activities without replacing the veterinarian. This definition marks an important step in the development of veterinary facilities, improving their organisation and efficiency.
What does CEPAS certification represent?
CEPAS, founded in 1994 and part of the Bureau Veritas Group since 2016, is a certification body that guarantees the quality of professional training and competence of personnel. It certifies people according to the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 and training courses according to ISO/IEC 17065:2012, ensuring high standards of preparation and updating.
La CEPAS certification is internationally recognised in several European countries, allowing qualified professionals to practice abroad. In addition, it collaborates with national and international training organisations to constantly monitor and improve the quality of training courses. CEPAS's mission is to promote competence, transparency and professional growth in all areas where training is essential.
Can you also study online if I am already working?
Yes - generally speaking you can study even if you already work, because the course provides a distance/online or mixed mode that allows flexibility. However:
You must check how many days or hours of attendance are required (internship, laboratory, examinations),
You must check that the online schedule is compatible with your work (evenings, weekends, free use)
You have to make sure that the degree obtained is fully recognised (requirements, accreditation, employability)
How much does the course cost? I would like more information...
Thank you for your interest.
To find out the cost of the course and receive detailed information, please contact us directly by email. We will be happy to provide you with all the necessary information and answer any personalised questions you may have.
How does the training take place?
The curricular traineeship has a total duration of approx. 800 hours, distributed equally between the first and second year of the course. abivet.com
The hours can be carried out at the facilities managed by Abivet (if the student lives in Rome) or at an external veterinary facility (already in service or known to the student) that has the necessary equipment to learn the tasks of the veterinary technician. abivet.com
During the first year, the placement includes activities such as shelter management, general care of hospitalised animals, as well as secretarial, acceptance and discharge procedures for animals. abivet.com
In the second year, the tasks become more specialised: assisting with diagnostic and laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging (radiology, ultrasound, endoscopy), and nursing in surgery and anaesthesiology. abivet.com
Finally, to be able to host a trainee, the facility must be equipped with certain rooms, equipment and services (e.g. examination room, analysis laboratory, hospitalisation rooms, ultrasound, radiology, operating room, anaesthesiology) in order to guarantee a complete training experience.
How does the final examination take place?
The final examination of the entire training course consists of a written test on all the subjects of the 1st and 2nd year of the course, after which one can enter the practical test.
Examination sessions are scheduled in September and March (minimum of 10 students), each year.
The final examination takes place in the presence of Rome at the premises of the’ABIVET Società Benefit a R.L.
With the signature of 2 July, the entry of the Veterinary Technician into the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) for Professional Practice Employees was definitively formalised. After the April agreement on the contractual text, Confprofessioni and the trade unions also signed the technical Annexes to the CCNL, including the Annex concerning the professional profile of the Veterinary Technician-Assistant (see box). While the CCNL included, for the first time on 17 April, the wording of the Veterinary Technician in the relevant contractual level, the Annex defines the Veterinary Technician by detailing his tasks. The hypothesis of CCNL was signed, in Rome, on 17 April 2015 at the headquarters of Confprofessioni (Confederazione Italiana Libere Professioni) by the trade unions Fl LCAMS - CGIL (Federazione ItalIana Lavoratori Commercio Turismo e Servizi), FISASCAT - CISL (Federazione Italiana Sindacati Addetti Servizi Commerciali Affini e del Turismo), UILTuCS - UIL (Unione Italiana Lavoratori Commercio Turismo e Servizi). Confprofessioni signs the CCNL as the employer party representing the freelance employers.
MANSIONS
The Veterinary Technician is a <<worker able to assist the Veterinary Doctor, according to his instructions, during the provision of medical-surgical services, in the organisation of the facility and in the management of the relationship with the client and his animal, implementing the organisational lines dictated by the Veterinary Doctor relating to the general running of the facility, assisting him in his professional activity ». His or her skills, abilities and knowledge concern: welcoming the client, setting up clinical and surgical treatment spaces and equipment, assisting with clinical-surgical procedures, and processing clinical and administrative-accounting documents.
Classification in the CCNL for Professional Studies
With the signature on 2 July of the Annex defining the tasks, the Veterinary Technician has been definitively consolidated in the CCNL for professional practices. The Annex, signed by Confprofessioni and the trade unions Cgil, Cisl and Uil, defines the profile of the Veterinary Technician, the competences and the duties of the Veterinary Technician. The Collective Bargaining Agreement regulates, in a unified manner and throughout the national territory, the employment relationships within the scope of professional activities, also in the form of associated studios and/or in the corporate forms permitted by law, as well as the employment relationships between other employers who carry out other activities and services instrumental and/or functional to the same, and the relative employees. The Contract (which is being published as we go to press) will last for three years with effect from 1 April 2015.
Source: Extract from La Professione Veterinaria 25/2015www.confprofessionilavoro.eu