RCVS consults on year one competences
RCVS is aiming to bring the Year One Competences into line with the recently updated Day One Competences.
The RCVS is consulting on a new set of Year One Competences, aiming to bring them into line with the Day One Competences for new graduates, which were amended last year.
A working party chaired by RCVS Council member Dr Tom Witte developed the updated Year One Competences, which detail the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of veterinary surgeons on completion of the professional development phase (PDP).
The new competences cover a range of areas, including general professional skills, practical and clinical competences and knowledge and understanding of veterinary medicine, legislation, research methods and other subjects.
Veterinary surgeons are expected to be competent in these areas upon completion of the PDP, which is a period of structured learning and development for new graduates. This should be completed within the first three years in practice.
RCVS head of education Christine Warman said: "We are keen that members of the profession from all stages of their career and all types of practice participate in this consultation and provide feedback and suggestions on our proposed Year-One Competences and the supporting guidance for each.
"If there are any key competences that you think are missing from our list we would also like to hear from you.
“Furthermore, in light of the fact that most graduates complete the PDP within 18 months of entering clinical practice, we are asking whether we should change the name from Year One Competences to something that better reflects the situation on the ground – for example, ‘Competences expected on completion of PDP’ or similar."
To take part in the online consultation, visit: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/about-us/consultations/our-consultations/review-of-year-one-competences-for-veterinary-surgeons/
The consolation deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, 27 October 2015.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
