Page 9 - Clinical Connections - Autumn 2022

Internships
PRIMARY CARE AND SHELTER MEDICINE

POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITY

he RVC has created a new course study and analyse data from a primary care Education pathway at the RVC, or similar
– the first of its kind in the UK – for related project. institution, while working in a clinical
T veterinary surgeons with particular educator role in a primary care setting at an
interests in primary care and shelter The candidates associated practice.
medicine. The Postgraduate Diploma in Louise Allum, Head Vet at the RVC Shelter
Veterinary Primary and Accessible Care Medicine Programme and Course Director,
and Education Internship (PG Dip V-PACE) said: “The ideal candidates will have been
is designed to develop clinicians’ skills in practice for at least two years and are
in teaching and research within practical now looking to develop their careers. If you
settings. are a vet in your practice who all the extra-
The PG Dip V-PACE is a one-year full- mural studies (EMS) students follow, or
time programme. Course members will you are always identifying and suggesting
complete various intern placements in ways to improve your practice, this course
hospital and charity partner sites in London could help you further develop your skills
and Cambridgeshire. Sites include the RVC in these areas. This new programme is a
Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital on great opportunity for all vets with a passion
our Camden Campus and Wood Green for primary care, and shelter medicine in
near Huntingdon. Teaching is scheduled to particular.”
begin next summer. Professor Adrian Boswood, Vice Principal
Interns will receive advanced training for Learning, Teaching and Assessment,
and support in education, leading to the added: “Clinical internship training has
additional award of Associate Fellowship of previously been targeted at interns wishing
the Higher Education Academy. The taught to focus on specialty practice. We were
theory will then be applied by teaching keen to develop an internship that offered Alternatively, holders of this qualification
other RVC students about primary care and a deeper understanding and broader will have the opportunity to pursue further
shelter medicine. experience of primary and accessible care primary care focused research via a master’s
The PG Dip V-PACE has been developed while developing expertise in education; or doctoral level research qualification.
in line with the RVC’s wider offering of allowing these interns to share their Graduates also have the option to work as
leading internship programmes. This enthusiasm for practice with the next veterinary clinical teaching fellows or can
means there are four modules to complete generation of vets.” simply return to work in primary care with a
in the year: Shelter Medicine, Primary Graduates from the course will be able to deeper understanding of the expertise and
Care Practice, Foundations in Veterinary contribute to and influence the development evidence base required for such work.
Education and Practice-based Research. of future veterinary surgeons by pursuing All applicants must be a member of the
The Practice-Based Research module will veterinary education as part of their career. RCVS by the date the internship starts,
teach interns how to design and undertake a This may form part of the Veterinary and ideally by the date of application and
interview. Course members would have
had a minimum of two years' experience
as a veterinary surgeon in small animal
primary care. There are English language
requirements for entry onto the course.

For more information, visit:
www.rvc.uk.com/VPACE

or for general internship enquiries,
contact Louise Allum, Course Director,
at: lallum@rvc.ac.uk

For small animal referrals, please call:
01707 666399
Email:
Postgraduates on the programme will undertake placements in animal shelters qmhreception@rvc.ac.uk

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