Consider the saying, ‘if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling further behind’. This aptly describes the obligation that veterinary professionals not only maintain currency in medical, surgical, and diagnostic services, but that they actively upskill in these areas, too.
As the technical capability of the veterinary profession expands, so too does the expectation that clients can access up to date services through their local vet. Continuing education of vets, nurses and techs is key to this – or risk being the last local clinic to embrace contemporary services like abdominal ultrasound, or dental radiographs, for example.
CPD also has additional benefits for the individual. In-person or face-to-face practical skills training can increase job satisfaction and strengthen social connection within the veterinary community, while online training courses offer more affordable and flexible access to upskilling.
Whether you are a veterinarian, veterinary nurse or veterinary technician, there is always something to learn. Professional development is your pathway to new clinical skills.
Continued Professional Development requirements
To maintain current registration as a veterinarian in Australia, individuals must meet formal professional development requirements. The minimum amount has been agreed by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), and is set at 60 CPD points over a three-year cycle.
The final number of CPD points varies from state to state, but most allow a combination of unstructured CPD points such as clinical rounds, reading and mentoring, along with a proportion of structured CPD points. Structured CPD points must comprise at least 15 of the total 60, and these come from formal activities which are validated by providers. Examples of structured CPD activities are conferences, authoring or refereeing of peer reviewed articles, or completing workshops or courses.
The CPD requirements for vet nurses and techs are less clearly defined, and part of it depends on your registration status under the AVNAT registration scheme. Nonetheless, it’s strongly recommended that veterinary professionals from all levels engage in CPD, and VetPrac certainly caters for nurses and technicians of all levels.
Australian based training with VetPrac
The team at VetPrac – led by anesthesiologist and Director Dr Margie McEwen – offers in-person workshops and online courses for veterinary professionals, right here in Australia. VetPrac provides current and real-world practical skills education with a high tutor to attendee ratio, so every attendee receives the attention they need to learn and refine new skills.
VetPrac embraces the latest technology and selects educators with specialist qualifications and teaching experience, making it possible to help veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians to expand their repertoires and learn new skills in line with industry best practice. VetPrac’s courses and workshops are not just a great way to expand your knowledge base and bridge the gap between learning and doing – they also help to tick off any required CPD points as well. When it comes to furthering your career in the veterinary sector, it’s a no-brainer.
Start learning today
VetPrac offers a range of workshops, from online theory-based learning to hands-on practical workshops in clinical and surgical skills. Skills workshops are held around the country, making face-to-face training more accessible and providing more options for our colleagues in rural practice. All courses are designed by vets, techs and nurses, with a focus on making gold standard practice more achievable to all members of the veterinary community.
VetPrac has recently expanded its vocational skills training to celebrate the collaboration between vets, nurses and techs. The theory is if you work together, you should learn together. In dual-stream workshops like Fix the Face and the new and improved TPLO Surgery, vet-and-nurse or vet-and-tech teams attend as a pair, working together in some sessions and following more tailored streams at other times.
With small, intimate groups and motivated, passionate educators, VetPrac ensures you get the most out of each session and walk away with the skills you need to be a better practitioner.
For more information on current VetPrac courses and workshops, please click here.