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Why bother with EMS students?
Alison Lambert spoke at BSAVA Congress in Birmingham. 
Alison Lambert on the importance of employer reputation 

"Attracting and retaining team members is a business priority," said Alison Lambert from Onswitch, speaking at the BSAVA Congress in Birmingham on why EMS students matter.

She explained how word of mouth and key opinion leaders are very important. They are the people who candidates respect and believe.

"EMS students are practice ambassadors," said Alison. They are a ready supply of walking adverts and have, on average, a minimum of 200 social media 'friends'. They have a network of other student vets who will be looking for a job within the next few years.

EMS students are assessing your practice even when they are not looking for a job at the time. They are absorbing the culture of your practice all the time.

Recruitment challenges are not a problem specific to the veterinary profession. It is an issue across all industries and requires attention to 'employer branding' – which should be distinctive, promise a particular employment experience and an appealing culture.

Your practice's reputation as a place to work is the single most important driver to attracting good candidates. Having a 'social bridge' is important to new graduates too – having a life and contacts outside practice life.

It is vital to apply all the principles that you as a practice routinely use to attract and retain clients. "So, is there anything on your website specifically for potential EMS students?" said Alison. "Have a special procedure when they first contact your practice and a personalised introductory process that involves all the team members."

She suggested that it was maybe a good idea to offer a modest EMS travel bursary to students working in your practice. "Always remember that the EMS student with you now may not end up working for you, but they will know someone who might," she concluded.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.