Introduction to the UK Veterinary Professions online course

We held the first online 'Introduction to the UK Veterinary Professions' course in September and were delighted that so many of you were able to attend. 

The free course is designed for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who qualified outside of the UK and have started work in a veterinary practice in the UK during the past two years or are considering coming to work in the UK in the near future.

Overview

Jointly organised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and VDS Training, this course is designed to equip you with the vital knowledge and insight needed to work in UK veterinary practice.

Representatives of the RCVS, VDS Training, RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council, British Veterinary Association, VetAbroad and the charity Vetlife all gave talks on a number of topics which included:

• An overview of how the UK veterinary professions are organised
• The responsibilities and legal duties of veterinary professionals in the UK
• Expected standards of professional conduct
• Recognising and understanding cultural differences
• Securing your dream job in the UK

Please scroll down for the full programme.

As part of the course we held a Live Q&A session where delegates were able to ask any questions they had. We received a wide range of questions from the RCVS Statutory Membership Exam to prescribing medicines under the cascade and will publish a full list of the questions and answers received on the RCVS website shortly.

Programme:

• Introduction and welcome – Ian Holloway, RCVS Director of Communications
• What it means to be a veterinary professional in the UK (part 1) – Kimberley Richardson, RCVS Senior Standards and Advice Officer/Solicitor
• Tips from an overseas vet who has survived (part 1) – Andreia Dias MRCVS, VetAbroad
• Introducing Vetlife: support for the veterinary community – Geoff Little MRCVS, Vetlife President
• Tips on avoiding pitfalls in practice (part 1) – Christine Magrath HonFRCVS, VDS Training Director of Communication Skills Training & Michael Stanford FRCVS, VDS Claims Consultant
• Finding a great career in UK veterinary practice (part 1) – Richard Holborow MRCVS & Iain Richards MRCVS, veterinary surgeons in practice
• The art of delegation – Matthew Rendle RVN, Chair of RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council
• What can BVA membership offer you: support and key services – Daniella Dos Santos MRCVS, BVA President
• What it means to be a veterinary professional in the UK (part 2) – Rob Girling, RCVS Disciplinary Solicitor
• Finding a great career in UK veterinary practice (part 2) – Richard Holborow MRCVS & Iain Richards MRCVS, veterinary surgeons in practice
• Developing your skills and knowledge – Jenny Soreskog-Turp, RCVS Lead for Postgraduate Education
• RCVS Knowledge – Chris Gush, RCVS Knowledge Executive Director 
• Tips on avoiding pitfalls in practice (part 2) – Christine Magrath HonFRCVS, VDS Training Director of Communication Skills Training & Michael Stanford FRCVS, VDS Claims Consultant
• Tips from an overseas vet who has survived (part 2) – Andreia Dias MRCVS, VetAbroad
• RCVS Strategy and Direction – Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO