Manchester CPD event for overseas graduates
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has joined forces once again with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) to offer a free day of continuing professional development (CPD) for overseas veterinary graduates either working or considering working in the UK.
The free day takes place on Thursday 28 May 2015 and is followed on Friday 29 May by a master class in communications skills, provided by the VDS, which involves role-play with professional actors and costs £160.
Combined, the two days provide overseas vets with the necessary information and support they need to practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK. Vets can choose to attend the two days separately.
In the year to 31 March 2015 the RCVS registered 939 overseas graduates – compared with 813 graduates from UK universities. The top five countries from which veterinary surgeons graduated were Spain (199), Australia (94), Italy (93), Romania (74) and Ireland (73).
The ‘Introduction to the UK veterinary profession – an essential CPD course for overseas vets’ is aimed at overseas vets in their first two years in the UK and those considering working here.
All three organisations wish to reduce the risk that such veterinary surgeons may become the subject of a complaint, and to improve their UK experience and advance their communication skills. The course also aims to help them understand their legal duties as a veterinary surgeon in the UK which can vary significantly from their own country.
The first day – ‘Key information and skills needed to practise as a vet in the UK’ – maps out how the UK veterinary profession is organised, and includes information about jobs, employment rights and the support available for when things go wrong.
Talks will be given by representatives from each of the three organising bodies, together with the Veterinary Benevolent Fund. In addition, Luis Sainz-Pardo from VetAbroad will provide ‘tips from an overseas vet who has survived’.
The second day, ‘A master class in communication skills’ goes through challenges in the consulting room and how to handle them.
The course takes place at the Novotel Manchester West, Worsley Brow, Worsley, Manchester M28 2YA.
Those interested in attending can register online at www.rcvs.org.uk/overseascpd or contact Lizzie Lockett, Director of Communications at the RCVS, for further information on l.lockett@rcvs.org.uk
