Options within practice after a CertAVP

RE: Options within practice after a CertAVP

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 07 May 2017 23:38:26 GMT

Firstly - are you sure there is no prospect of partnership? Have you specifically had this discussion?

I too enjoyed the CertAVP process, I went through it at the same time as my wife. It absolutely made us better vets and increased our enjoyment of the job. The issue is the further study is kind of contagious and has lead to us doing other things afterwards.

We've gone down a route of concentrating on our own areas within the practice and moving work to the more appropriate person, I guess a kind of internal referral but that sounds more grand than it really is. Discussion around cases in the practice shares knowledge and makes everyone better, I don't think it makes others lazy, but that may depend on the team.

Extra pay would have to depend on a lot of factors, who paid for the training, what extra work are you doing, what is your value elsewhere etc. Also depends what you decide to do next (more cert AVP modules, further study etc).

I disagree with James in that (certainly in some areas) alternative residencies do exist and can be done from practice. I suppose it depends on your area of work. It's odd that these things seem much more accessible in the farm sphere.

Try and decide what you would want to be doing and put a plan to your employers. The first thing to decide is what you want to be actually doing....

RE: Options within practice after a CertAVP

James Dunne — Sun, 07 May 2017 08:03:16 GMT

Hi There

I am not sure what exactly you want. If it is increased income then that can be discussed with the business partners provided you can demonstrate clear evidence that your increased knowledge has had a direct positive impact on the practice's earnings. If you are looking to be the 'go-to' person for the trickier cases, then you do need to set aside time for them and they do need to be charged accordingly. If you don't want to be the 'go-to' because others don't read up their own cases, then really you should just take satisfaction from your better treatment of your cases. Moving practice to progress your career is fine - if you can find the right practice! Progressing clinically with a formal qualification beyond a certificate in practice is not possible in many cases, particularly for one of the reasons you outlined - moving family about is not always possible for sure and if you are hinting at wishing to pursue a Diploma, this qualification does not encourage part-time learning or 'Alternative Pathway Residency'. If you wish to extend your academic knowledge and qualifications a Masters or Doctorate may be a more realistic proposal from practice. I guess if you have not yet completed your qualification, do so, consolidate what you have learnt and take some time to think it out.

RE: Options within practice after a CertAVP

Nicola Lawlor — Sat, 06 May 2017 17:21:18 GMT

I think you need to sit down with your employer for an honest chat about the fact you want to use your improved knowledge but would like to be moving up the ladder in some way with this as well. Talk about the options for partnership perhaps or some sort of improved income.

Consider if there are other employers in your area where you may be able to gain a role with more prospects if you dont get the answers you want from your current employer? Don't rule out some of the bigger groups out there, often there are opportunities to take cases on from others in a group using your skills and despite how things can be portrayed on a forum like this big groups are not necessarily all bad and may be able to give you access to facilities you don't currently have or expect.

Good luck with the rest of the certificate studies :-)