In this issue: approving grouppractices, Ofqual accreditation,apprentices, exam feedback, myth-busting, meet the team, events anddiary dates.
Sweeter thanSugar? Would you be a better
boss than Sir Alan? Learnhow apprenticeships couldbenefit your practice.
VN STANDARDTHE NEWSLETTER OF THE RCVS AWARDING BODY MAY 2010
Awarding Body fees 2010
2 VN STANDARD – MAY 2010
NEWS
Fees for candidates, centres and training courses
Candidate fees £
Enrolment 195 For a maximum of five years
Enrolment extension 65 Extends enrolment for one year
Unit certificate 42
Level 2 MCQ examination discounted fee 148 Candidates sitting both papers at one appointment
Level 2 MCQ examination standard fee 158
Level 3 MCQ examination discounted fee 92 Candidates sitting both papers at one appointment
Level 3 MCQ examination standard fee 102
Level 3 OSCE (practical) examination 194
Centre fees
Initial centre approval 2,000
Approval restoration 2,000
New programme approval 1,250 Where a site visit is necessary
New programme approval, no site visit 424
Annual fee 550
Advisory consultancy per day 340
Training courses
Examiner training course 340
Assessor development course 255
All listed and registered veterinary nurses willsoon receive an updated copy of the RCVS List of
Veterinary Nurses Incorporating the Register ofVeterinary Nurses 2010, which was reprinted andre-issued during May, due to printing errors. Once youget your new copy, please recycle the old one!
Although the data held on the RCVS List/Register isaccurate, an error occurred when it was handled atthe printers, which caused the names of at least 70
listed or registered veterinary nurses to be omitted.There were also errors with respect to restorationdates appearing next to the entries for some nurses.We apologise for any inconvenience that this mayhave caused you.
As with the original publication, the data used inthe RCVS List/Register are correct as of 8 February2010. The most up-to-date information is availableonline at www.rcvs.org.uk/VNlist.
Reprint, re-issue…recycleVN List/Register re-issued due to printing errors
VN STANDARD – MAY 2010 3
The RCVS Awarding Body has been recognised byOfqual to operate in the Qualifications and Credit
Framework (QCF), the new system which will replacethe current National Qualifications Framework acrossEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland this summer.
This ensures that the Awarding Body can provideveterinary nursing vocational qualifications.
The QCF is the new government framework whichsets out how all regulated vocational qualificationsmust be structured, titled and quality assured.The QCF allows more flexibility for people to gainqualifications in smaller steps, building from aseries of units that all have credit values. The newsystem is already up and running, and fullimplementation will be in place by the end of 2010.
“We are among the earliest organisations to receivesuch recognition,” says Awarding Body BoardChairman, Jacqui Molyneux.“I am delighted that,despite the tough time-frames set by Ofqual forthe introduction of theQCF, the Awarding Bodyis on target for the newqualifications to bedelivered in autumn.”
Credit where credit’s due
All together now
The new Level 3 Diploma qualification is well on theway and we have accordingly been reviewing
centre approval processes and requirements.
The new qualification will reduce the requirementfor routine visits to Training Practices (TPs).However, TPs will remain a crucial resource forpractical training and their approval is still critical.Most centres are colleges or universities, whichmeans that TP approval and quality-monitoringvisits are carried out independently. However, thereare a small number of centres based on grouppractices, ie the organisation is acting as both acentre and students’ employer. Independent TPquality assurance is difficult in such cases and thishas recently led to a serious concern.
As a consequence, the Awarding Body will nowrequire such centres to appoint an independentquality assurance auditor on a consultancy basis.This appointee will be experienced in quality auditand will work alongside the centre staff to:
• Be actively involved in all new TP approvals
• Contribute to TP risk-banding
• Monitor the quality assurance of established TPs
• Monitor the follow-up of action plans
Copies of the auditor’s reports will be required bythe RCVS as part of the centre’s annual routinequality audit. This measure will introduce a greaterdegree of external scrutiny to organisations that actas both centre and employer for student veterinarynurses. This is seen by the Awarding Body to be animportant precaution, given the commitment thatmust be afforded to candidates, and their potentialvulnerability during training.
“Independent TP quality assurance isdifficult in such cases and this hasrecently led to a serious concern.”
“The Awarding Body is on target forthe new qualifications to be deliveredin autumn.”
Approving group practices as centres
Ofqual accreditation for Awarding Body
For more informationabout the newVN qualifications,see the VN StandardExtra enclosed with yourregular VN Standard, or downloadit from www.rcvs.org.uk/publications.
4 VN STANDARD – MAY 2010
NEWS
John Myatt was one of the most successful forgersof the 20th century, managing to fool the art world
into buying at least 200 ‘old masters’. Some studentveterinary nurses have more modest ambitions,usually to save themselves time and effort by forginga signature.
Sadly, we have seen a growing number offorgeries on Records of Training in recent months.Usually, the students concerned have left apractice without getting their record card competedand resort to creativity for the necessary practiceprincipal’s signature.
We hold a specimen copy of every Head of Centreand TP principal’s signature and we alwayscheck records of training prior to registering a newVN. If there is any doubt as to validity, we checkwith employers and Heads of Centre personally.The falsification of a document and forgery ofsignatures are both serious matters for anindividual applying for professional registration.Investigation always delays registration andnurses cannot be registered where documentationis found to have been falsified. Attempting to gain
a qualification fraudulently is also, of course, acriminal offence, which is taken very seriously byboth ourselves and other regulators, such as Ofqual.
All student VNs are now given a copy of the Guideto Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses -please actively encourage them to appreciate thatthey are preparing for professional registration andto take note of the guidance on record-keeping andcertification. It’s also a good idea to keep yourstudent’s Record of Training at the practice andensure it is completed whenever they are sick or onholiday, so these dates are not forgotten.
What happened to John Myatt? He spent a year inBrixton prison, where no doubt his cell was verytastefully decorated!
Forging ahead – or not…
“The falsification of a document andforgery of signatures are both seriousmatters for an individual applying forprofessional registration.”
Students forging signatures won’t get far
When the new veterinary nursing qualificationcomes on stream, the role of assessor will be
replaced with that of clinical coach. This role is to betaken by an experienced registered veterinary nurse orveterinary surgeon.
The role of the clinical coach will be an extremelyimportant one in supporting future student veterinarynurses. Whilst the current A1 assessor training gives avaluable preparation, its emphasis is on assessment.Clinical coaches will be using assessment skills,they will also be teaching and supporting studentsas they progress towards competence.
During April and May, we have been runningtraining workshops to introduce the clinical coachrole to centres and help them to prepare trainingfor the RVNs and vets who will become clinicalcoaches in their TPs. Attendance has beenexcellent and the programme very well-received.
If you have yet to attend, or have centre staff whowould like to do so, places are still available inEdinburgh on Thursday 24 June. Please [email protected] if you would like a place.
Clinical coach preparationSome places left for Scottish workshop
VN STANDARD – MAY 2010 5
ADVICE
Could you be Sir Alan?
Around a quarter of veterinary nurses now trainthrough apprenticeships. Yet many veterinary
employers are hazy about this form of training (and thepotential advantages to their businesses) and may wellbe missing out as a result.
Apprenticeships are strongly supported by thegovernment and businesses as a way of providingvocational training. They attract assistance withtraining costs, available through the Skills FundingAgency and designated training providers.
So, what are the advantages? An apprenticeship isa package of vocational training and education thathas been designed with the needs of employers,and the skills they need their employees to develop,in mind. Trainees are able to earn while they learn,and tend to remain with their training employerslonger than other employees.
Increased fundsVeterinary nurse training is available as anapprenticeship and is specifically designed to lenditself to this method of training, however, it’s evidentthat not all training providers (VNACs) considerthere is a demand from employers. A consequenceof this is increased cost to practices because othertypes of funding only cover a college course and notthe element of practical training that is essential toVN training (currently NVQs). This means that therecan be no assistance with TP fees and the costs ofassessment and internal verification.
All can applyWhich students are eligible for apprenticeships?The answer is all of them, provided they are inemployment in a training practice. However, thereare significant age limitations on the funding oftraining, which mean that while younger apprenticesreceive 100% funding, those between 19 and 25receive 50% of their training costs. Funding forolder students is, unfortunately, minimal. The age-related aspect of apprenticeship funding means itis important, if at all possible, to enrol students for
training at the earliest opportunity. Requiring a yearor more of experience in the practice first, as manyemployers do, can be very costly if your studentcelebrates her 19th or 25th birthday in the process!
Is there a catch? If you employ an apprentice, yourtraining provider will visit your practice every threemonths to ensure your apprentice’s wellbeing andprogress as a condition of the public fundinginvolved. Other than that, a VN apprentice trains inthe same way as any other vocational student.
Interested? Do find out if your training provideroffers apprenticeships. If not, make it clear that youare interested - training providers respond todemand and cannot gauge this if they are not madeaware. For more detailed information and advice,contact the National Apprenticeship Service atwww.apprenticeships.org.uk or 08000 150 600, orcontact Lantra on 0845 707 8007 or [email protected].
“Trainees are able to earn while theylearn, and tend to remain with theirtraining employers longer than otheremployees.”
How to access increased funding through apprenticeships
Benefits of employing apprentices• 80% of those who employ apprentices agreethey make their workplace more productive
• 81% of consumers favour using a companywhich takes on apprentices
• Over 100,000 employers offer apprenticeshipplaces in over 190 job roles across a wide rangeof sectors.
• 88% of those who employ apprentices believethat apprenticeships lead to a more motivatedand satisfied workforce.
• One in five employers is hiring moreapprentices to help them through the tougheconomic climate
(Learning and Skills Council national research)
Who’s whoSkills Funding Agency - manages the funding ofapprenticeships nationally (took over from theLearning and Skills Council (LSC) on 1 April 2010)National Apprenticeship Service – promotesapprenticeships, co-ordinates funding and assistsemployersLantra (Sector Skills Council) – ensures training isavailable for veterinary practicesTraining provider – holds an SFA contract anddelivers apprenticeship training
6 VN STANDARD – MAY 2010
PRACTICAL EXAMS
The practical examinations entries continue to rise -this March, 210 students sat at three centres, an
increase of 28% on March 2009. This time, weanalysed additional data in relation to studentperformance at each OSCE station, which gives us auseful extra insight into candidates’ strengths andweaknesses.
The box below illustrates the quantity of studentspassing at each OSCE station. It is clear that theareas of weakness on this occasion wereRadiography, Medical Nursing (Hand Hygiene)and Theatre Practice. Students performed best inLab, Administration of Medication and FluidTherapy (SF00).
In Radiography, 36% of students failed to label theradiograph or did not include the appropriateinformation. Remember that, as of January 2010, itis a requirement to include the microchip or tattoonumber as well as the Kennel Club Registrationnumber, the date the radiograph was taken, and leftor right markers. The positioning technique wasalso poor, and it was felt by the examiners that 65%of the radiographs would have been rejected by theBritish Veterinary Association. Congratulations tothe 35% who passed this OSCE station. Especiallyto the 53 students who gained 100% of the marks -demonstrating that it is possible to position themodel dog appropriately.
During the Hand Hygiene OSCE, 48% lost vitalmarks because they were unaware of the correctmethod to attach clipper blades to clippers. This issurprising because this is an activity undertakenmost days by students. The manufacturers advisethat the motor should be turned on prior to theblade being snapped into place.
On this occasion, the anaesthetic OSCE station wascarried out well. Students were able to calculatethe Fresh Gas Flow rate, but 25% did not includethe correct units of measurement. Examples of thetypes of answers being given by students areprovided in the article on page 8.
The open gloving technique has improvedtremendously. Only a small minority - 17% - failedto carry this out without breaking asepsis. However,the examiners reported that students struggled onthis occasion to recognise orthopaedic instruments:34% were unable to correctly select eightinstruments out of the 17 provided.
In the Laboratory, students were examined on theirability to prepare a urine sample in order to carryout an analysis for uroliths. In this case, 37% ofstudents failed to label the microscope slide and27% did not dispose of their waste correctly.
There was a marked improvement in the calculationof Clamoxyl for the administration of medication.Only three students failed to calculate the correctdose and all students included the correct units ofmeasurement. This is an improvement on theDecember exams, when many students wereunable to calculate the correct accurate dose ofVetergesic. The biggest area of error in this stationwas that 40% of students chose the wronghypodermic needle to administer the drug - thedata sheet for Clamoxyl recommends that a needleno finer than 20 gauge should be used. On a morepositive note, only 15 students re-sheathed theneedle after administering the medication and, foronce, no needle-stick injuries were reported duringthe examination.
Practical applicationFeedback from the March OSCE examination
OSCE station Pass rate (%)
Anaesthesia SA01 59
Medical Nursing (Bandaging) SB04 61
Medical Nursing (Hand Hygiene) SM01 33
Medical Nursing(Administration of Medicine) SP04 77
Fluid Therapy SF00 79
Laboratory SL01 78
Radiography SR02 38
Theatre Practice ST06 55
“The open gloving technique hasimproved tremendously. Only a smallminority failed to carry this out withoutbreaking asepsis.”
VN STANDARD – MAY 2010 7VN STANDARD – MAY 2010 7
We continue our series that debunks some of themyths that surround the practical exams.
Myth: the examinations will always consist of oneOSCE from radiography, theatre practice,pharmacy, bandaging, anaesthesia and fluidtherapy, and two from laboratory.
Fact: there is nothing within the award specificationwhich constricts us to this pattern. The aim of theexamination is to test a broad range of nursingskills. There are 33 small animal and 26 equineOSCEs. Many of these test the same thing, butthere have recently been new OSCEs added to thebank which test different skills. This gives greaterscope to use more than one OSCE from somesections. Candidates should therefore ensure thatthey are fully prepared to undertake all OSCEsand realise that, just because they have had oneOSCE in an area, it does not mean that anotherone will not follow.
Myth: the oral questions in the examination do notcontribute to the overall marks.
Fact: not all OSCEs include ‘knowledge andunderstanding’ questions but where these areincluded, they do form part of the marking schemeand are calculated as part of the overall percentage.However, oral questions are never key steps, sofailing the oral question alone does not usuallyresult in a fail.
There will be more myth-busting in the next issue –why not send us your favourites?
Shaggy dog storiesBarking up the wrong tree?
The training is now over and the Pan-EuropeanPractical Assessment System project (PEPAS) has
now entered its pilot phase. Partners met in Majorcain late March to discuss the sustainability of theproject. This seemed like a glamorous location when itwas booked but, unfortunately, there was a cold snapand Vicky Hedges, our VN Exam and Higher EducationQuality Manager, landed in a flurry of snow!
At the conference, each partner detailed theirprogress with the pilot OSCE examination and apresentation was given by Debbie Jaarsma from theUtrecht Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, whooutlined the examination being run at Utrecht andthe different methods of calculating the pass mark.
“The session was very informative and providedsome ideas for the development of our ownOSCEs,” reports Vicky. “The PEPAS project ends inSeptember 2010 but it is hoped that the conceptwill continue.”
Veterinary nurse educators are invited to attend thefinal conference in Norway on 3 September 2010,
where delegates will be able to assess the workproduced and evaluate the benefits of joiningthe project.
The main benefits of the project to the UKveterinary nursing schools would be:
• Access to approximately 100 tried and testedOSCE mark-sheets, along with examiner notes.These can be used for both formative andsummative assessments by centres and universitiesin the UK
• Integration with other European veterinarynursing schools
• OSCE examiner CPD events
We will send a formal invitation to centres to attendthis meeting shortly. In the mean time, if you wouldlike to find out more or register your interest inattending, please contact Vicky on 020 7202 0782or [email protected]. Further information is alsoavailable at www.pepas.net.
Cruising in to landPEPAS project enters pilot phase
PRACTICAL EXAMS
8 VN STANDARD – MAY 2010
During the OSCE examinations, students areexpected to undertake calculations in several
areas, including anaesthesia, medical nursingand fluid therapy.
There has been a marked improvement in students’calculations in recent times, with the majority usinga recognised method. In most cases, studentsachieve the correct result, but in anaesthesia, manyfall down at the last hurdle as they are unable toexpress the appropriate units of measurement.Meanwhile, simple dose calculations causedproblems for a third of students in the March exams.
Example 1 – anaestheticFor the Fresh Gas Flow calculations, the answershould always be expressed as ml/min or ml/litre.This is the setting that the flow meter should be at.It is not acceptable to express the final answer as anumber without units of measurement. A modelanswer is given below:
Calculate the Fresh Gas Flow for the followingpatient using an Ayres T-Piece:3.5kg catTidal volume of 15ml/kgRespiration rate of 20 breaths per minuteSystem factor of 2
Calculating successA guide to OSCE anaesthetic calculations
Calculation Method This example
Tidal volume calculation Body weight x volume of gasinhaled/exhaled during eachrespiratory cycle
3.5 x 15 = 52.5 ml
Minute volume calculation Tidal volume x respiratory rate 52.5 ml x 20 = 1050 ml/min
Fresh gas flow calculation Minute volume x anaestheticsystem factor
1050 x 2 = 2100 ml/minThis can also be expressedas 2.1 l/minOther recognised methods arealso acceptable
Examples of the final, incorrect, answers given by some students
2100 litres/min
2100 ml
2100 ml/per day
2.1 Fresh gas flow
2.1 litres per day
2.1 litres
2100 ml per hour
2100 ml/patient
2100 litres
VN STANDARD – MAY 2010 9
Example 2 – calculating dosesOur phones were red hot when the OSCE stationSP03 was published online, with students,assessors and college staff phoning to report a typoin the OSCE. All correspondents were directed tothe data sheet, which provides the dose rate in bothml/kg and microgram/kg. On this occasion, arelatively simple calculation flummoxed 33% of
students. Three students failed to achieve anymarks because they were unable to completethe calculation in six minutes. A model answer isgiven below:
Calculate the dose of a drug using ml/kg for thefollowing dog:Weight 12.5 kgDose rate 0.3 ml per 10 kg
Calculation Method This example
Quantity of drug for a 12.5 kgpatient
Patient bodyweight x quantity ofdrug per kg bodyweight
12.5 kg x 0.03ml = 0.375 mlThis can be rounded up to 0.4 mlOther recognised methods arealso acceptable
The results from the 2010 exams wereposted to the candidates in April -
including both theory and practical exams.
Overall, the results are broadly similar toMarch 2009, except for the Level 2Theory exam, where only 46% ofcandidates passed, compared with 67%in March 2009. A total of 486 candidateswere entered for veterinary nursing examsin March 2010, up by 200 from March2009, when 286 candidates were enteredfor examination.
“The number of exam entrants isrelatively small, so a small change in theactual number of candidates passing orfailing can produce a percentage changethat seems relatively large,” says LibbyEarle, RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing.“However, now the results are available,we will look closely at any correlationbetween the pass-rates and the centressubmitting candidates for examination.”
Spring exam results inTheory and practical results published
Entries Pass
Level 2 – small animal theory
First-attempt candidates 54 34 (65%)
All candidates (includes the above) 161 72 (46%)
Level 2 – equine theory
First-attempt candidates 6 2 (33%)
All candidates (includes the above) 11 3 (27%)
Level 3 – small animal theory
First-attempt candidates 53 43 (82%)
All candidates (includes the above) 101 67 (68%)
Level 3 – equine theory
First-attempt candidates – –
All candidates (includes the above) 3 1 (33%)
Level 3 – small animal practical
First-attempt candidates 94 62 (66%)
All candidates (includes the above) 210 131 (62%)
10 VN STANDARD – MAY 2010
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
What’s your role?VN Centres Officer
What’s yourbackground?After graduating witha BA Hons degree inGerman with Frenchfrom the University ofWarwick, I spent ayear working for aninternational
healthcare provider. I joined the RCVS in 2007as Careers and Admissions Officer and moved tothe role of Centres Officer in 2009.
What do you do?I assist with the planning and co-ordination ofVNAC, Course Provider and Training Practiceapproval, and ongoing monitoring visits, as wellas processing new Training Practiceapplications. I am responsible for maintainingVNAC, Course Provider and Training Practicerecords on our database and monitoring thevisits undertaken by External Verifiers. A key partof my job is providing administrative support forthe Awarding Body Quality Assurance Managerand the External Verifiers. I maintain theveterinary nursing pages of RCVSonline and alsoprovide secretarial support to the Europeanaccreditation committee, Acovene.
My role involves organising the annual Heads ofCentres meeting and the RCVS Internal VerifierContinuing Professional Development events,which run throughout the year, keeping recordsup to date and monitoring attendance.
What’s been your biggest challenge?There are a lot of major changes taking placewithin the College this year, with the migrationover to a new database and the development of anew website. The development of a new VNqualification is also keeping our department verybusy! Dealing with the vagaries of the office air-conditioning on a day-to-day basis also requiresa certain degree of patience.
Surprise us….I’m half Swiss and speak fluent Swiss German.
Meet the teamChristine James
Were you one of the 370 people who entered our‘guess the animal noises’ quiz at BSAVA
Congress? Fewer than one in three got it right – did you?
The correct answers were a purring cat, a Chihuahuadog (the breed had to be specified) and a guineapig. Some of the more outlandish answers included,for the cat noise: elephant, lion, whale and dolphin;and, for the guinea pig noise: ferret, meerkat, dove,chicken and frog. However, the majority of thosegetting it wrong were stumped by the breed of dog,with Jack Russell Terrier proving a favourite.
The first correct entry out of the hat belonged toLiverpool-based veterinary surgeon Anna Rountreewho won an iPod Nano.
The noises competition linked to our theme for theevent, ‘Falling on deaf ears?’, which examinedhow the RCVS takes account of responses to itsconsultations - including those on the new VNqualifications - debunking the myth that those whotake the trouble to reply are not listened to. Thetopic was addressed by President Professor SandyTrees in a presentation on the Saturday of Congress.Visitors to the stand were also given RCVS-brandedearphones to reinforce the listening message.
Jacqui Molyneux, Chairman of the RCVS AwardingBody Board, made a presentation about the newVN qualifications, which can be downloaded fromRCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/ear_ear).
Noises offDid you guess correctly at BSAVA?
VN STANDARD – MAY 2010 11
Progress with the new Level 3 Diploma qualificationis moving on apace and, along with the Clinical
Coach training events recently offered, we shall beholding awareness-raising events for centres duringMay and June. These events will give centre staff anexcellent early opportunity to explore the newqualification and see how the electronic NursingProgress Log will work, and will help them to preparefor their own TP liaison meetings later in the summer.This focus will be on the structure of the newqualification and delivery issues for centres.
The dates and venues are:• RCVS, London – Wednesday 26 May• Warwickshire College – Thursday 27 May• Sparsholt College – Friday 11 June• Bicton College – Thursday 10 June• Askham Bryan College – Monday 14 June
All meetings will take place from 1.30-4pm.
If you haven’t already booked and would like toattend, please email [email protected] as soon aspossible. We have allocated two places per centre;however, additional places are likely to be available,depending on demand and available space.
Copies of presentation materials will be available tohelp with your subsequent employer-liaisonmeetings and internal staff awareness-raising.
New qualification roadshowSeries of meetings for centres planned
It’s easy to imagine the RCVS as a facelessorganisation, based in ‘Belgravia Towers,’ there simply
to make your life difficult. We accredit, we regulate, weassess, we examine, we charge fees… they are not themost positive of tasks, however vital. But we are alsothere to support the veterinary nursing and veterinaryprofessions in delivering excellent standards ofprofessional care to owners and their animals.
If you want to find out more about what the Collegedoes – perhaps you are thinking of standing forelection to VN Council or RCVS Council – join us fora Meet the RCVS Day.
As part of a small group of vets, VNs and othersassociated with the profession, you will gain theopportunity to see what goes on behind the scenesat Belgravia House, meet the Officers, members ofVN Council and staff, and network with otherprofessionals.
Plus we offer reasonable travel expenses and a jollynice lunch. Interested? Our next event takes placeon 23 June. Contact [email protected] to bookyour place.
Ivory tower? You decide!Visit Belgravia House on us
RCVS Day – the College’s AGM and awardspresentation – will take place on Friday 2 July 2010,
at One Great George Street, Westminster, London.Come and support veterinary nurses and veterinarysurgeons as they are presented with their Diplomas,and the new members of the Veterinary Nurses Counciland RCVS Council as they take up their places.
The guest speaker will be Professor Roger ShortFRS FRCVS, from the Faculty of Medicine,University of Melbourne, Australia, who will give atalk entitled “The way ahead for the veterinaryprofession in a warming world”.
All members and listed/registered veterinary nursesare welcome to attend the day, which includeslunch. To apply for tickets, which are free, pleasecontact Lydia Meakin on 020 7202 0773 [email protected] by 18 June.
Join us for RCVS DayAGM and awards presentation in London
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road,London SW1P 2AF | www.rcvs.org.uk
CONTACTS AND DATES
12 VN STANDARD – MAY 2010
Who does what…
Libby EarleHead of Veterinary Nursing
Annette AmatoDeputy Head of Department,Awarding Body ManagementBoard Secretary
Julie DugmoreQuality assurance andEV liaison
Vicky HedgesExaminations and highereducation quality assurance
Christine JamesCentre approvals andmonitoring
Amy WoodsStudent enrolments,careers advice
Jenny OrmeAward certificates, registrationfor newly-qualified nurses
Ben MyringExaminations
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CONTACTING UST: 0207 202 0788 | F: 0207 222 2004 | E: [email protected]
PEFC/16-33-240
If you are working in a Training Practice which isalso accredited as a General Practice under the
Practice Standards Scheme – or one that is workingtowards accreditation – be aware that a new Manualcame into force on 1 April. It includes new standardsagreed by the Practice Standards Group, whichcomprises members from all of the key veterinaryorganisations and the BVNA.
New among the standards is that the practice musthave in place an annual performance review systemfor all clinical staff to monitor and plan development.
There is also a development to the way in whichinspections will take place. It’s no longer just aboutchecking that the right paperwork is in place –although this remains important – but ensuringthat practice teams actually use protocols and
systems, and that they are embedded in daily life.This may mean employees are called upon by theinspector to explain how a particular protocolwhich affects them is put into place. The newManual can be downloaded from RCVSonline atwww.rcvs.org.uk/newpssmanual.
New Standards for accredited practicesUpdated Manual effective 1 April 2010
Practical examinations
Summer 2010 Autumn 2010 Winter 2010
Closing datefor entries
14 May 13 August 5 November
Exam weekend 18 – 20 June17 – 19September
10 – 12 December
Results published 29 July 21 OctoberJanuary 2011Dates TBC
Written examinations (e-assessment)
Summer 2010 Winter 2010
Award registrationdeadline
7 January 10 May
Closing datefor entries
7 May 10 September
Appointmentbooking window
7 June – 2 July18 October –12 November
Exam week(s) 5 – 17 July 15 – 20 November
Results published 26 AugustJanuary 2011Dates TBC
