Who is your current employer and what do they do?
Cromwell Veterinary Group – Small animal veterinary practice.
VetSkill – Awarding body – Self-employed OSCE examiner for Central Qualifications, City and Guilds and College of Animal Welfare.
What is your job title and what does the job entail?
Student and Training Coordinator and RVN at CVG. I look after all the student veterinary nurses and support the clinical coaches. I select the diploma students we employ and choose which degree students we have on placement. I organise training and CPD for vets and nurses. I also work weekend shifts as an RVN.
How did you achieve your current position?
Following maternity leave, I was unable to work the required nursing shifts due to available childcare. I actually went in for a few hours to help the practice prepare for our RCVS practice standards inspection in October 2015. It was decided then there was a need for someone to organise internal training and so my hours were made permanent. I then took on the student coordinator role last September following resignation of our head nurse who had previously done this. I was awarded the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Examiner qualification in 2008 and have continued to examine on an ad hoc basis.
What do you enjoy about your job
Varied work! I enjoy the mix of nursing, organising, training and examining. Most importantly it fits around my family as a work/life balance is really important to me. I feel I’m fully focused at work as I’m part time. I work school hours so I am there for my daughter and my days are flexible so I don’t miss sports day, dance shows etc. I am also able to do some work from home.
What are the challenging aspects about your job?
Fitting my work into the hours available. I have to be really organised and focused to get everything done at work when I’m there. Making sure I reply to colleagues in a timely manner.
What are your plans for the future?
To continue the same. I’m really lucky to have a role that fits around my daughter and family life. I’m not yet ready to give up nursing completely so I will continue to work the odd weekend shift.
What other qualifications do you hold?
D32/D33 Assessor
Clinical Coach
RCVS Examiner
What key piece of advice would you give to anyone wishing to follow a similar career path?
I think the role I have is suited to a large practice where there are numerous students, vets, nurses and clinical coaches. I was able to prove the need for the role so I would recommend if you see something similar working in your practice then to do the same. I started by keeping schedules of equipment training and organising CPD events when gaps in knowledge were visible.
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