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- Council Members
- Role of Council Members
- Council meetings
- Council elections
- Previous election results
- Dr Louise Allum
- Dr Sam Bescoby
- Dr Andrew Clemence
- Dr Tshidi Gardiner
- Dr Reginald Godwin
- Paddy Gordon
- Dr Danielle Greenberg
- Dr Gerard Henry
- Dr Richard Hillman
- Dr Benjamin Kennedy
- Dr Tom Lonsdale
- Dr Darren Partridge
- Martin Peaty
- Alison Price
- Dr Peter Robinson
- Dr Jennifer Simmons
- Dr Sadie Spencer
- Dr Mary Thomas
- William Wilkinson
- Dr Lara Wilson
- Past-Presidents
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- Standards Committee
- Advancement of the Professions Committee
- Audit and Risk Committee
- Education Committee
- Disciplinary Committee
- Charter Case Committee
- Preliminary Investigation Committee and Disciplinary Committee Liaison Committee
- Registration Committee
- Preliminary Investigation Committee
- Paper classification: some definitions
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- About extra-mural studies (EMS)
- EMS requirements
- Information for vet students
- Information for EMS providers
- Information for vet schools
- Temporary EMS requirements
- Practice by students - regulations
- Health and safety on EMS placements
- EMS contacts and further guidance
- Extra-mural studies fit for the future
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- Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons
- Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses
- Contact the Advice Team
- XL Bully dog ban
- 'Under care' - guidance
- Advice on Schedule 3
- Controlled Drugs Guidance – A to Z
- Dealing with Difficult Situations webinar recordings
- FAQs – Common medicines pitfalls
- FAQs – Routine veterinary practice and clinical veterinary research
- FAQs – Advertising of practice names
- GDPR – RCVS information and Q&As
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- Accrediting veterinary degrees
- Accrediting veterinary nursing qualifications
- Reasonable adjustments for student vets
- Health and disability in veterinary medicine study and practice
- The role of the veterinary schools and the RCVS
- Reasonable adjustments and the Equality Act 2010
- Reasonable adjustments and Day One Competences
- Examples of reasonable adjustments for vet students
- Annex
- Reasonable adjustments for student vets - summary
- Reasonable adjustments for student veterinary nurses
- Health and disability in veterinary nurse education and training
- Reasonable adjustments for students and the UK disability discrimination legislation
- Educational assessment of veterinary nurses
- Roles of key stakeholders in the application of reasonable adjustments
- Examples of reasonable adjustments for vet nurse students
- Embracing reasonable adjustments for student vet nurses - summary
- External review of the RCVS by ENQA
- Requirements for remote and online student assessments
Clinical placement top tips
Get ready for your EMS clinical placement with our top tips.
Tie back long hair and avoid jewellery
For safety reasons, long, loose hair and jewellery are prohibited in operating rooms and other clinical areas. Feisty cats may snag their claws on earrings, and nobody wants the lingering smell of animal vomit in their hair.
Wear comfortable shoes
It’s likely you'll be on your feet most of the day. Trainers may be allowed on some placements, but always find out if there’s a dress code before you start.
Follow the dress code
Smart, practical clothing is essential in the workplace. Avoid jeans on your first day, as some practices don’t allow them. Darker colours are advisable, and be prepared to do lots of washing when you get home.
Say goodbye to personal space
It's difficult to maintain your personal space when you're helping to restrain an agitated Akita. If being in close proximity to others makes you feel uncomfortable, remember it's usually only temporary to ensure an animal's wellbeing.
Keep busy, keep learning
The ‘Q’ word ('quiet') is usually banned in clinical settings due to a common superstition that saying it out loud will immediately dramatically increase the workload. If you find yourself at a loose end, ask what you can do to help - or use your initiative. There will always be kennels to clean, instruments to wash, colleagues to support, questions to ask or learning to be consolidated.
Make the practice team your new best mates
The supporting veterinary team will have a wealth of valuable knowledge you can tap into. Veterinary nurses will probably be the staff members who teach you essential skills such as inserting a cannula or restraining a rabbit. Receptionists can demonstrate effective client communication, including how to empathise with grieving owners. Animal care assistants can give guidance on cleaning protocols. The entire team can offer you valuable learning opportunities.
Brush up on clinical knowledge
Understand species-specific parameters, common diseases, and clinical abnormalities. Try to use the correct medical terminology when discussing cases.
Ask questions
Vets and nurses are usually happy to share knowledge. Be mindful of timing and avoid interrupting stressful procedures, such as euthanasia.
Bring a notebook, stethoscope, torch pen and fob watch
These will be incredibly useful on placements. Most practices have spare stethoscopes, but pens are like gold dust, so keep yours safe.
Try not to worry
Placements may feel new or challenging. Be assured that you have a valuable role to play and the team will welcome the extra pair of hands. By the end of your placement you’ll have gained valuable experience, expanded your network and created some wonderful memories!