Routes to post graduate qualifications

The VCS does not offer further education qualifications however the society strongly supports  those seeking to progress their cardiology career through our meetings and networking opportunities.

They are many potential routes that are currently available for obtaining qualifications in small and/or large cardiology.  These recognise various levels of competency up to diploma and specialised status for veterinary practitioners and nurses.

ACVIM/ECVIM diplomas are obtained through the residency route, which allows candidates to meet their ACVIM/ECVIM credentials and sit certifying examinations.  Residencies are usually available in designated university vet schools and private specialist referral centres and last 3-4 years.  Completing a rotating internship or a cardiology-specific internship beforehand is usually seen as an advantage when applying.   Successful candidates are entitled to application for RCVS Specialist status.

https://ecvim-ca.college/cardiology/

https://www.acvim.org/board-certification

RCVS Diplomas in Veterinary Cardiology are no longer available.  Current Diploma holders are entitled to apply for RCVS Specialist status.

Cardiology Technician Specialist (VTS IM-Cardiology) is a specialist veterinary nursing qualification for nurses who work in specialist referral centres and spend up to 75% of their time on cardiology cases.  Candidates have to demonstrate advanced nursing skills and knowledge of disease states, a case log and a case report.  The qualification is issued by the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians

https://www.aimvt.com/cardio-requirements.html

Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Cardiology) is a modular RCVS qualification that allows candidates to obtain a designated certificate in cardiology.  This programme is designed for general practitioners and allows the candidate a level of flexibility as to when they sit modular assessments.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/postgraduate-qualifications/certificate-in-advanced-veterinary-practice-certavp/designated-certificates/

General Practitioner Advanced Certificate (Cardiology) is a modular qualification issued by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (Harper Adams University).  Candidates have usually spent at least 5 years in general practice.

https://www.isvps.org/p/en/

Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Medicine is a modular BSAVA qualification obtainable from veterinary practice.  Although it encompasses a range of disciplines within medicine, taught day courses include cardiology, and cardiology cases can be submitted by candidates in their case book and case log.

Masters courses are university/college post graduate courses that are usually full-time over one year but can also be part-time over longer periods.   Courses and forms of assessment vary with university, and have different degrees of clinical and scientific content.  Some (MSc) are taught programmes that may be partly or entirely online, some are entirely research-based (MScR) and can lead towards PhD enrolment.  Further information is usually available on the academic centres’ websites.