VSC455 Transition to Practice (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Animal and Vet Science (ANVET)Animal and Vet Science (ANVET)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject prepares students for their Clinical Rotations and provides a structured summary of the business elements of operating a veterinary practice, including the laws governing veterinary science, insurance, personal and professional liability, the financial management of practices and personal finance, interpersonal skills, staff management, interaction with lay staff and veterinary staff employed in the workplace, employers, and professional colleagues, ethics and management of ethical dilemmas, professional behaviour and responsibilities to the Veterinary Practitioners Boards, communication skills, interacting with clients, Related issues which have been studied in case-context during the PBL delivered parts of the course will be reviewed to illustrate and reinforce topics. The research component provides direction in writing a literature review in their chosen research area or on a clinical condition. For students entering the honours program this subject will also be an opportunity to plan and design experimental work or plan data analyses. For other students it will allow them to prepare for their clinical rotations.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Internal | Wagga Wagga |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VSC455
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Assumed Knowledge:
VSC415 and VSC426 and VSC427 and VSC450 and VSC451 and VSC453
Enrolment restrictions:
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology /Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) student only
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to identify and access the relevant veterinary legislation and apply this to practical situations as they apply to professional conduct, responsibilities and restrictions.
- be able to set in place safety nets such as consent forms, client advice forms and to also be capable of achieving informed consent.
- be able to set personal income goals utilising realistic strategies of how to achieve these levels.
- be able to draw up a personal budget for first six months in practice.
- be able to demonstrate high to exceptional levels (as measured against current standards) of communication skills resulting in the ability to effectively interact with clients, staff and colleagues.
- be able to draft a weighted list of desired criteria to be considered in selecting a suitable position.
- be able to identify areas of risk with respect to potential personal injury including physical and mental stresses.
- be able to demonstrate advanced driving skills (optional).
- be able to outline methods of coping with personal stress and risks of drug and substance abuse.
- be able to identify opportunities for research and further education.
- be able to write a literature review on their chosen topic.
-be able to demonstrate understanding of the basic elements of experimental design and ethics on the use of animals in research.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
Professional Ethics, Conduct and Veterinary Regulations
Including Veterinary Practice Act, Therapeutic Goods Act, Stock Acts.
Defensive Veterinary Practice - working with the legal profession and the veterinary boards role as expert witness.
Practice Management
Including: Sensible charging, achieving a reasonable income level, profits and profitability, record keeping and budgeting.
Personal; Management
Including: Personal budgeting, debt control, life/ work balance, personal stress, drugs: use and abuse and appropriate legislation, burnout, dealing with euthanasia.
Health and Safety:
Including: injury avoidance / sensible work practices, defensive driving (possibly a practical session) workplace hazards.
Continuing Education
Including philosophy of, opportunities, resources and pathways.
Acquiring Employment
Including what graduates should look for in a practice, what employers are looking for in employees, writing C.V.s, covering letters, interview technique, contracts.
Research
Including: finding and evaluating literature, reviewing literature, training in experimental design, interpreting and analysing research data and the ethical use of animals in research.
Practical Skills:
May include skills identified by students and / or academic staff as being currently deficient.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.