CVS Level 4 Receptionist Certificate offers colleagues Associate Veterinary Receptionist status

16th Dec, 2024

CVS receptionist colleagues who undertake its Level 4 Certificate in Client Care will be eligible for Associate Veterinary Receptionist (AVR) status by the British Veterinary Receptionist Association (BVRA).

It is the first time BVRA has recognised an external veterinary group’s own receptionist training programme as adequate enough to award AVR status.

The BVRA will offer AVR status to all past Level 4 CVS receptionist certificate holders and will offer the accreditation to all new qualifiers moving forward[i].

The AVR status is a UK industry-standard recognition of quality and ongoing commitment to the veterinary receptionist role. It is normally only awarded after the completion of the BVRA’s Level 3 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists and other approved BVRA training - usually completed over a 1-2 year training period.

CVS’ Level 4 Endorsed Certificate in Veterinary Client Care is for its experienced receptionists with at least one year’s experience. It has been specifically designed to help receptionists consistently offer the highest levels of client care, essential to the industry.

The training covers a wide range of skills and knowledge including; client care, finance, preventative healthcare, bereavement support, self-leadership and working with others. The course also helps receptionists to support other colleagues in their practice with client care.

CVS’ Level 4 Certificate is endorsed by Training Qualifications UK. It is a mixture of online content, live Zoom sessions and a forum to share ideas and experiences.

Philip Webb, Learning Partner at CVS who helped to design its Level 4 Endorsed Certificate in Veterinary Client Care, said: 

“We are thrilled that our Level 4 Certificate has been recognised by the BVRA. It is a high-level quality certificate and feedback from our receptionist attendees has been excellent. 

 “We value our receptionists highly. Being eligible for Associate Veterinary Receptionist will be of huge benefit to them. It will give them the status and recognition they deserve and will give them access to many AVR benefits - including ongoing access to additional CPD and professional and industry developments."

The British Veterinary Receptionist Association represents receptionists in the veterinary profession and has 7,000 corporate group and independent practice members. A searchable register of AVRs is maintained by the BVRA and successful candidates can use the post nominals AVR (Associate Veterinary Receptionist).

All AVRs must also be BVRA members and memberships need to be renewed annually. BVRA’s offers its AVRs a range of member benefits. These include; a certificate which can be publicly displayed in practice and an AVR badge to highlight the wearer’s status; access to specialised and relevant training, including BVRA courses; discounts on eligible courses and events, including the annual BVRA congress; a regular BVRA newsletter, AVR newsletter, and news bulletins; and the opportunity to apply to join the BVRA council.

CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. In 2023 the group set stretching targets with the aim of becoming a more sustainable company. CVS progress and targets are outlined in the company’s 2024 Sustainability Report 2024 Results and Reports | CVS Group (cvsukltd.co.uk). For further general information on CVS visit www.cvsukltd.co.uk .