Veterinary training: Day One Competences

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  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

‘Day One Competences’, set by the European Union, is the minimum standard required for newly graduated veterinarians and is the starting point for a variety of roles in the veterinary profession. The goal is to ensure consistency in the recognition of professional qualifications in the European Union and beyond. 

The competencies are presented here as approved by ECCVT on 30 March 2023.

Forewords
Day One Competences

Forewords

  • A. Competence is a concept that integrates knowledge, skills and attitudes. Competence requires acquisition of technical skills but further involves applying relevant knowledge and having the confidence and ability to transfer what has been learnt to a variety of contexts.
  • B. In order to facilitate for VEEs to meet the requirements of the overall basic veterinary competence that the EU has established, it needs to be broken down to more specific “Day One Competences”, which are linked to regularly updated EU regulations.
  • C. Overall basic competence should encompass all references in the different pieces of the EU legislation to ensure consistency in the recognition of professional qualifications in the European Union and beyond.
  • D. ‘Day One Competences’ is the minimum standard required for newly graduated veterinarians and is the starting point for a variety of roles in the veterinary profession. After graduation, ongoing professional development will be needed in whichever field the new graduate decides to enter, and some roles may require postgraduate training and further formal qualifications (e.g. Diplomate of a European College, PhD, which are not covered under the Day One Competences).
  • E. New graduates who have achieved Day One Competences should be capable to independently perform appropriate entry-level tasks and duties of the veterinary profession and confident enough to practise veterinary medicine at a primary level on their own, while knowing when it is appropriate to seek direction from more experienced colleagues. New graduates are likely to need more time to perform some procedures. Support and direction from more senior colleagues should be available.
  • F. VEEs are responsible for developing the Day One Competences of their students and ensuring that they have met the competences by the time they graduate. They may be assisted in this by external entities, which provide EPT so that students can apply these competences in the workplace.
  • G. The proposed Day One Competences are not listed in order of importance.

Day One Competences

  • 1.1 Act in a way that shows understanding of the ethical and legal framework within which veterinarians should work, including professional-, animal welfare-, client-, public health-, societal- and environmental-related aspects.
  • 1.2 Understand scientific research methods, the contribution of basic and applied research to science and implementation of the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
  • 1.3 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the organisation, management and legislation related to veterinary practice. Understand the economic and emotional context in which the veterinarian operates.
  • 1.4 Promote, monitor and contribute to maintaining health and safety of oneself, patients, clients, colleagues and the environment in the veterinary setting; demonstrate knowledge about the principles of quality assurance; apply principles of risk management in practice.
  • 1.5 Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience concerned and in full respect of confidentiality and privacy.
  • 1.6 Implement principles of effective interpersonal interaction, including communication, leadership, management, team working, mutual respect and other soft skills.
  • 1.7 Prepare accurate clinical and client records, and case reports when necessary, in a form satisfactory to the relevant audiences.
  • 1.8 Work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of services and recognise the contribution of all team members.
  • 1.9 Be able to review and evaluate literature and presentations critically.
  • 1.10 Understand and apply principles of One Health to ensure veterinary Good Clinical Practice, and research-based and evidence-based veterinary medicine.
  • 1.11 Demonstrate ability to critically analyse evidence, cope with incomplete information, deal with contingencies, and adapt knowledge and skills to varied scenarios and contexts.
  • 1.12 Use of professional capabilities to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge and the One Health concept, in order to promote the health, safety and welfare of animals, people and the environment, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • 1.13 Demonstrate the ability to recognise personal and professional limits, and know how to seek professional advice, assistance and support when necessary.
  • 1.14 Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and to professional development. This includes recording and reflecting on professional experience and taking measures to improve performance and competence.
  • 1.15 Engage in self-audit and peer-group review processes on a regular basis in order to improve performance.
  • 1.16 Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal or animal group, and its/their husbandry and environment.
  • 1.17 Handle and restrain animal patients safely and with respect of the animal and instruct others in helping the veterinarian to perform these techniques.
  • 1.18 Perform a complete clinical examination and demonstrate ability in clinical decisionmaking.
  • 1.19 Develop appropriate treatment plans and administer treatment in the interest of the animal under their care with regard to the resources available and to appropriate public health and environmental considerations.
  • 1.20 Attend in an emergency and perform first aid in common animal species*. Prioritise situational urgency and allocate resources accordingly.
  • 1.21 Assess the physical condition, welfare and nutritional status of an animal or group of animals and advise the client on principles of husbandry, feeding, reproduction, production, welfare, individual health, herd health and public health.
  • 1.22 Collect, preserve and transport samples, select appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret and understand the limitations of the test results.
  • 1.23 Communicate clearly and collaborate with referral and diagnostic services, including providing an appropriate history.
  • 1.24 Use basic diagnostic equipment and carry out an examination effectively as appropriate to the case, in accordance with good health and safety practice and current regulations. Understand the contribution of digital tools and artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine.
  • 1.25 Recognise signs of possible notifiable, reportable and zoonotic diseases as well as abuse of animals and take appropriate action, including notifying the relevant authorities.
  • 1.26 Access the appropriate sources of data on information and legislation relating to animal care and welfare, animal movement, notifiable and reportable diseases, use of medicines, including responsible use of antimicrobials.
  • 1.27 Prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in accordance with legislation and latest guidance.
  • 1.28 Report suspected adverse reactions through the appropriate channel.
  • 1.29 Recommend and evaluate protocols for biosecurity, and apply these principles correctly.
  • 1.30 Perform aseptic procedures appropriately.
  • 1.31 Safely perform sedation and general and regional anaesthesia; implement chemical methods of restraint.
  • 1.32 Prevent, assess and manage pain.
  • 1.33 Recognise when euthanasia is appropriate and perform it with respect of the animal and its owners, using an appropriate method, with due regard to the safety of those present; advise on ethical and legal disposal of the carcass.
  • 1.34 Perform necropsy in all common animal species, including sampling, dispatching and reporting.
  • 1.35 Perform ante-mortem inspection of food-producing animals including paying attention to welfare aspects, systematic gross post-mortem examination, record observations, sample tissues, store and transport them.
  • 1.36 Perform inspection of food and feed to correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of products of animal origin, including related food technology.
  • 1.37 Protect public health by identifying conditions that are directly or indirectly related to animals, their products and by-products, when they contribute to the protection, conservation and improvement of human health.
  • 1.38 Advise on and implement preventive and eradication programmes appropriate to the disease and species, in line with accepted animal health, animal welfare, public health and environmental health standards.