The RCVS is looking for general practitioners to join one of two working groups to shape a new programme to support veterinary graduates into life in practice.
This new programme will replace the current Professional Development Phase (PDP) and the aim is to ensure veterinary graduates are fully supported in their new role, and able to progress from day one competencies into confident and capable independent practitioners.
It is being introduced on the back of the findings from the Graduate Outcomes Consultation, which found that the profession felt that support mechanisms for new graduates needed to be strengthened.
The two working groups are the EPA Working Group and the Mentor Working Group. The EPA Working Group will be assisting the development of a bank of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). EPAs describe the everyday professional tasks carried out by vets in practice, covering a wide range of areas of clinical and professional practice which graduates and their mentors can access to build into their own e-portfolio.
The Mentor Working Group will assist in shaping the role of the mentor in the new programme and create a training package for workplace mentors.
The College is looking for veterinary surgeons working in practice and who have an interest in helping new graduates gain the best possible experience to join as members of these working groups. It would be beneficial for applicants to have experience with workplace training and/or mentoring.
Successful applicants would be required to visit the RCVS for three half-day meetings over the period of a year. The RCVS would cover travel and subsistence expenses. There will also be an additional time commitment to review and feedback on material via email.
More details can be found on the RCVS website and general practitioners who would like to apply can email the RCVS education manager Britta Crawford at b.crawford@rcvs.org.uk giving a brief description of their current position and why they feel they would be an asset to the working group. The closing date for any applications is 6 March 2020.
