Page 74 - CPD 2022

LILI-MAI RCVS Certificate in Advanced 75
Veterinary Practice (CERTAVP)

WELSH RCVS CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED

SECTION D VETERINARY PRACTICE
(CERTAVP)

The RVC has been accredited to assess a range of modules for Why choose the RVC?
the RCVS Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP). The CertAVP at the RVC encourages independent, adult-centred
and self-directed learning; it is not a taught course. The aim of the
All candidates who wish to obtain the post-nominal CertAVP must assessment process at the RVC is not only to support you to fully
be assessed to achieve 60 credits. These must be completed within understand the quality of your current clinical practice but also to
a 10-year time period and candidates may ‘mix and match’ module foster life-long learning skills and to advance and enhance your
assessments offered by different providers.
clinical knowledge, skills and understanding. Reflective, critical
There are two compulsory modules which cover a range of competencies practice is expected and encouraged.
expected from an experienced practicing veterinary surgeon: The learning scaffold for CertAVP at the RVC is your clinical and
Foundations of Advanced Veterinary Practice (Module A-FAVP.1 – 10 professional experience –the learning you build by reading, formal
credits) and Clinical Practice (various B modules – 10 credits). You may CPD and other learning activities around the professional issues you
then choose specific discipline-based C modules or a combination have faced in your practice and the clinical cases you manage. Setting
of B and C modules to reach 60 credits (a total of four additional C your own learning goals to help you achieve the learning outcomes for
and/or B modules). 100 hours of work is required for most modules the modules and seeking the learning opportunities that fulfil your
which can be made up by research, reading journals, case studies/ learning needs are crucial activities for an adult learning experience.
diaries, attending conferences and relevant CPD courses.
So, although the CertAVP at the RVC is not a taught course (which can
Learning outcomes of the CertAVP imply that everyone has the same learning needs), there are rich learning
You will need to demonstrate: opportunities at every stage. These include the detailed and personalised
• A thorough understanding of the knowledge base and a critical feedback you will receive on your work, a range of discounted RVC CPD
awareness of developments at the forefront of your area of courses that support learning outcomes for many CertAVP modules,
professional practice; a wide variety of online learning resources including access to the
• A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to RVC library and where needed one-to-one learning support from
your own area of practice; our Learning Development team or module leaders.
• Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical RVC assessors have clinical, professional and higher educational
understanding of how established techniques of research and qualifications that ensure the level of assessment is educationally
clinical enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in sound, robust, fair and at the level expected of veterinarians aspiring
your professional area;
• Conceptual understanding that enables you to: to achieve Advanced Practitioner status. Extensive feedback is provided
on all submitted work. Assessment of your work is as and for your
• critically evaluate current literature and research in your learning, not just of your learning. Our aim is to help you develop life-long
professional area;
• evaluate clinical methods and techniques and develop critiques commitment to improving your practice, and therefore skills such as
self-analysis, clinical reasoning, and accessing, interpreting, and applying
of them, and where appropriate, propose new approaches to information, are of utmost importance to the RVC-based CertAVP.
professional practice.
Reflection is an important component of the CertAVP for a very good
Typically, holders of the CertAVP qualification will be able to: reason and will remain so. By learning to reflect on your practice, you
• Deal with complex issues in an organised and creative manner, make learn how to analyse what you do and why you do it, become better
sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate placed to explain this to clients or colleagues, and identify areas for
their conclusions clearly to veterinary colleagues and to non-veterinary improvement. Even more importantly, where you are competent at a
audiences, including clients;
• Demonstrate self direction and originality in tackling and solving skill in one context, reflection probes you to consider whether you
could repeat that skill in a more demanding situation, or adapt it to fit
problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks a more challenging context. By analysing situations where you feel
in their professional area of work; continue to advance their knowledge some discomfort, reflection encourages you to consider why you feel
and understanding, and develop new skills to a high level.
less satisfied, and how you could develop your approach to be more
Candidates will have the qualities and transferable skills satisfying in future. Were it not for reflection, the implication is that
necessary for professional veterinary work requiring: there is no room for improvement.
• The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
• Decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations;
• The independent learning ability required for continuing
professional development.