Course aims to support overseas professionals considering work in the UK.
Overseas veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are being encouraged by the RCVS to sign up for its ‘Introduction to the UK’ training course.
The course, created in collaboration with VDS training, aims to support overseas qualified veterinary professionals who are considering practising in the UK and those who have been doing so for less than two years.
Part one of the training is a free online course consisting of a series of pre-recorded talks and a live Q&A session with key personnel from the RCVS, VDS Training and other key veterinary organisations.
Participants will hear from people working across the profession, with topics including:
- finding a great career in UK veterinary practice
- how to register with the RCVS as a veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon
- RCVS statutory membership exam
- what support you can access whilst working as a veterinary professional in the UK
- introducing participants to practising as a veterinary professional in the UK, including the RCVS Code of Conduct.
Part two of the course is an optional, paid-for online communication session led by VDS training. Those who participate in this training will work through some common pitfalls experienced during client consultations and develop the confidence and skills to communicate effectively.
“This course will help overseas-qualified veterinary professionals, who have recently started practising in the UK, to learn more about what to expect, and what is expected of them, while working in the UK as vets or vet nurses,” explained Ian Holloway, director of communications at the RCVS. “We also want the training to help learners understand where they can go to get professional support and what registering with the RCVS will mean for them.
“Overseas-qualified vets and VNs are a huge asset to the UK veterinary community, and we hope that this training is a useful and welcoming introduction to life as a UK-based veterinary professional”.
Commenting on the communications skills workshops, VDS training consultant Elly Russell said: “Communicating with clients can be one of the most rewarding, but also challenging parts of our jobs as veterinary professionals. However, communication problems can sometimes lead to complaints, increase your stress at work and can impact the care our patients receive.
“Our training is a highly interactive, online four-hour workshop where participants will work in small groups with our experienced facilitators and role players using realistic scenarios to practise and develop communication skills. We will help learners to feel more confident managing common communication challenges in UK practice.”
For more information about the course, including the dates of the live Q&A sessions, visit: rcvs.org.uk/overseas
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. 
