DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
The Work-Based Assessor will assess, support and monitor Level 3 Veterinary Nursing apprentices and diploma learners in the workplace, ensuring all assessment practice meets RCVS VN Training Regulations, VetSkill awarding organisation requirements and apprenticeship standards. The assessor will focus on competence-based workplace assessment rather than classroom delivery, ensuring learners meet RCVS Day One Competences and VetSkill qualification outcomes. The work-based assessor will develop high quality, effective relationships with training practices to create a bank of work placements for learners.
Key Responsibilities
1. Support and assess veterinary nursing learners to develop and evidence occupational competence in line with RCVS and VetSkill requirements.
2. Conduct initial, diagnostic and ongoing assessments to ensure appropriate learner placement and progression.
3. Conduct formal learner reviews every 8–12 weeks, completing all aspects of the e-portfolio system including ILPs with SMART targets aligned to VetSkill units and RCVS outcomes.
4. Identify learners at risk of underachievement and implement timely interventions, recording actions in line with College and awarding body procedures.
5. Work closely with Approved Training Practices (ATPs) to ensure employers understand their responsibilities under RCVS VN Training Regulations and apprenticeship requirements.
6. Contribute to employer engagement and learner recruitment where appropriate, maintaining professional relationships with veterinary practices.
7. Carry out valid, reliable and consistent workplace assessment including direct observation, professional discussion and portfolio review.
8. Plan assessment activities to ensure timely learner progress and readiness for VetSkill assessment and EPA (where applicable).
9. ·Ensure all assessment practice complies with VetSkill, RCVS, ESFA and College quality assurance requirements, including participation in IQA and standardisation activities.
Children & Vulnerable Adults: safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults
Equipment & Materials: the furniture, equipment and consumable goods used in relation to their work
Health / Safety / Welfare: the health and safety and welfare of all employees, students and visitors under their control in accordance with Hopwood Hall College’s safety policy statements
Equal Opportunities: performing their duties in accordance with Hopwood Hall College’s Single Equality Scheme
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Qualifications
Essential Criteria
10. RCVS-recognised Level 3 Veterinary Nursing qualification.
11. Assessor qualification (A1, D32/33 or TAQA equivalent).
12. Eligible for or holding RCVS registration (where applicable).
13. Full UK driving licence with business insurance to facilitate travel to practices.
Desirable Criteria
14. Internal Quality Assurance qualification (V1/D34/TAQA).
15. Teaching or training qualification.
How Identified: Application/Interview
Experience
Essential Criteria
16. Substantial recent experience working in a veterinary practice environment.
17. Experience assessing or mentoring learners in the veterinary workplace.
How Identified: Application/Interview
Specialist Knowledge
18. Strong knowledge of RCVS VN Training Regulations, VetSkill standards and workplace-based assessment.
19. Understanding of animal welfare legislation, professional conduct and safeguarding within veterinary settings.
Essential Criteria
How Identified: Application/Interview
About Hopwood Hall
We are a Further Education College and University Centre offering a range of full and part time courses employing over 600 staff on our campuses in Rochdale and Middleton situated to the north-east of Manchester. Both campuses have ample free parking and subsidised restaurants.
We offer staff a range of benefits including free gym membership at our Middleton Sports Arena and generous holiday entitlement.
We are committed to being a great place to work and have membership status of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. We are a Living Wage employer and an accredited Disability Confident Employer. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion statement is designed to ensure that unfair discrimination does not take place in any part of our recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and colleagues and we expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. The college complies with Safer Recruitment guidance in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and all successful applicants are required to undertake a DBS check and other pre-recruitment checks in line with our Safer Recruitment policy. It is an offence to apply for a regulated role at the College if you are barred from working with children (or vulnerable adults if in a role where this applies).
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and exemption orders 1975, 2013 and 2020.
STAFF BENEFITS
Working at Hopwood Hall College comes with a wide range of benefits including generous holiday and sick pay entitlements.
Other benefits include:
20. Career average pension scheme
21. Free gym membership at our Middleton Campus Sports Arena
22. Purchase loans for computers and bikes
23. Staff discount at the College’s Riverside Salon, Sports Arena and Holiday Clubs
24. On-site nursery (Rochdale Campus)
25. Credit union for savings, low cost loans and life assurance
26. Free on-site parking
27. On-site Dog Kennels (spaces not guaranteed)
28. An electric and hybrid car salary sacrifice scheme (with charging points on site)
29. A cycle to work scheme
30. Discounted public transport tickets
31. Generous holiday entitlement (Teaching staff: 53 days, Business Support staff: 28 days plus bank holidays
32. Christmas/New Year closure and the opportunity to buy additional holidays)
33. Two Health and Wellbeing days per year
34. Subsidised bistro and refectory
Safeguarding Statement
Hopwood Hall College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.