CPD course for overseas vets and VNs

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is holding a two day 'Introduction to the UK veterinary professions' continuing professional development (CPD) event for overseas trained veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses next month.

The event is for all overseas qualified vets and veterinary nurses who are either already on the Register, or who are intending to join the UK Register and would like to learn more about working in the UK and takes place in London on 20 and 21 November.

The first training day will be held on Tuesday 20 November at the RCVS headquarters on Horseferry Road, London. This day, titled ‘Working in UK veterinary practice: key information for vets and vet nurses’ will focus on the logistics of UK working, as well as covering how UK veterinary professions are organised, information regarding jobs, employment rights, and support available for veterinary employees who are in need of  assistance. The course also seeks to help attendees understand their legal duties as a veterinary professional in the UK, along with their expected standards of professional conduct.

The course also seeks to help attendees understand their legal duties as a veterinary professional in the UK, along with their expected standards of professional conduct.

The course will be free to attend, with lunch and refreshments provided. The day will also see talks from various key figures in the field, including representatives from the British Veterinary Association (BVA), Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) Training, and the charity Vetlife, which was set up to help veterinary professionals manage their mental health and wellbeing.

The second part of the course will be held the following day on Wednesday 21 November and is a paid-for masterclass in communication offered by the VDS, titled ‘A master class in communication skills’. This course aims to help delegates improve their confidence and communication skills when starting work in the UK.

The course presents delegates with scenarios they may face in the consulting room, using professional actors in role-play, and advises on the best ways to handle any potential situations. The day costs £180 per person, and will be held at Mary Sumner House in Westminster, where refreshments and lunch will also be provided. 

The overall aim of this training is to improve the experience of overseas vets coming to the UK to work, as well as reducing the risk of complaints being made towards veterinary professionals, which will in turn contribute to the overall wellbeing and productivity of the UK veterinary workforce.

The overall aim of this training is to improve the experience of overseas vets coming to the UK to work, as well as reducing the risk of complaints being made towards veterinary professionals, which will in turn contribute to the overall wellbeing and productivity of the UK veterinary workforce.

Our Director of Communications, Ian Holloway, said:

“We are delighted to be able to offer training courses such as these to support the working lives of veterinary professionals from overseas, who are planning to join our veterinary workforce in the UK. We have had very positive feedback about previous courses and hope that all attendees will enjoy the training offered and find the course beneficial for their professional careers.”

If you are interested in registering for either of the days, please visit the RCVS Eventbrite page.