AMTRA assessors: Supporting you in the Viva exam

Ever wondered what the role of an AMTRA assessor entails? We get to know the newest additions to the team of AMTRA assessors taking RAMA candidates through their Viva exams.

In addition to the written assessment organised by AMTRA, RAMA candidates will have a one-to-one 10-15 minute oral examination, also called a Viva, which is carried out by an AMTRA assessor.

The Viva exam is a unique additional check by AMTRA alongside the written assessments, giving AMTRA additional confidence that RAMA candidates are fit to be included on the AMTRA register.

The Viva, which, prior to November 2020, took place as a face-to-face interview, is designed to demonstrate that a candidate has an understanding of, and ability to implement in practice the key legislative elements of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, the Code of Practice, and the VMD’s guidance for retailers.

In more recent years, technology has enabled the Viva exam to take place online, via a Zoom video interview. When introducing the new digital format, AMTRA was sure to provide a test link, to ensure candidates are at ease with the process, allowing them to perform to the best of their ability.

Regular feedback is collected from candidates who have taken the Viva exam, which reports a valued flexibility of where and when the exam can be taken, with 92% of candidates reporting the experience as satisfactory, good or excellent.

AMTRA assessors are, as the name suggests, there to support candidates through the process of their exam and journey to becoming a Registered Animal Medicines Advisor (RAMA). Here, we introduce the five newest AMTRA assessors, who joined the team in 2022.

Originally from East Anglia, Chris now lives in Canada where he works as a veterinary pharmacist.

With experience in the veterinary field, Chris put himself through the SQP qualification and the Harper Adams veterinary programme, and later chose to become an AMTRA assessor.

Becoming an assessor felt like a natural progression for Chris, who has previous experience teaching and working closely with pharmacy students at a college. Chris believes his role as an AMTRA assessor is to make people feel at ease, as students often know the information, but can find exams stressful.

Amelia became a qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2012. She has worked in various roles leading clinical teams in practice, and has recently become a territory manager for a veterinary instrumentation and equipment provider.

In 2020, Amelia gained an ISVPS certificate in anaesthesia, and joined the AMTRA team as a Viva assessor in January 2022.

Amelia’s passion for education has led her to deliver lectures at national industry events, and spend many years on the marking board for a Lantra certificate in wound management. Amelia has moderated on the BSAVA Merit Award and VetNurse.co.uk wound forums, and is an OSCE Examiner for student veterinary nurses.

Laura grew up on a pig and sheep farm in Armagh, Northern Ireland, and, after graduating, worked in a mixed practice in North Wales. After a few years, Laura moved back to Northern Ireland where she worked at a variety of veterinary practices before joining Norbrook.

Laura regularly works with RAMAs in her professional life, which led her to make the decision to become an AMTRA assessor. Becoming an assessor has given Laura the opportunity to apply her understanding of veterinary pharmaceuticals to a new career path, which she hopes will support her aim to start practicing as a locum again.

Based on the edge of New Forest, Rachel is a small animal vet, running her own veterinary locum business. Her first job at a pharmacy was where she discovered her interest in medicines and the legalisation surrounding them. She later moved to a small animal veterinary practice where she stayed for 16 years, giving her a solid grounding in regulations.

After joining AMTRA as a Viva assessor in 2022, Rachel was keen to support individuals who experience nervousness and anxiety when taking exams after experiencing these feelings herself. The role has given Rachel the opportunity to focus on an interesting subject matter and help calm candidates so they can achieve their best potential.

Stacey works as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) and a Chartered Teacher (CTeach) as well as a qualified RAMA with experience in education, moderation, and quality assurance in assessment.

As an AMTRA Viva assessor, Stacey takes the opportunity to promote the RAMA role, and inspire others. She believes the more RAMAs in the industry, the greater the animal welfare and customer service standards.