PSS assessor training

All Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) assessors undergo initial and ongoing training. This ensures that every assessment we carry out is consistent and of the same high standard. It also helps assessors better support practices taking part in the scheme.

Initial training

Initial training for assessors is provided by internal and external trainers. Topics covered include:

• Assessing all PSS modules
• Behaviour-based assessment for PSS awards
• Additional medicines training (from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD))
• Communications training, including handling difficult situations (from the Veterinary Defence Society Communications department)
• An introduction to Stanley, the PSS admin and support system

Putting training into practice

Once they've done their initial training, assessors carry out:

• at least two accreditation visits, and
• one award visit.

A more experienced assessor will attend each of these visits. This ensures that the assessor is ready to carry out assessments alone.

Ongoing training

We arrange ongoing training for our assessors in the following areas:

• Equality and diversity
• Conscious and unconscious bias
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Planning the assessment day
• Ionising Radiation legislation
• Health and safety
• Waste Regulations
• Quality Improvement
• Standardisation of assessments
• Regular medicines updates with VMD
• GDPR
• Other relevant topics as they arise

Peer support visits

Each year, our lead assessor will shadow other assessors while they carry out a visit. This ensures that all our assessors are working to the same high standard.

Auditing reports

We audit all assessor reports before releasing them to practices. This is to ensure consistency in assessment and reporting style.

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