Employment of new veterinary graduates

Policy

Policy type: Policy
Reference: 1h
Status: Current
Date ratified: February 2017

Policy

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) believes that veterinary graduates must be given a high level of professional support during their first 12 months of employment in order to achieve acceptable levels of competency. In particular, support must be available for them when they are on call for after-hours emergencies, both verbally and in person when required.

Background

New graduates in the veterinary profession are well educated, but have limited experience and ability to deal with the immediate demands of veterinary practice. It does not benefit clients, the employer, the employee or the profession in general if new graduates are expected to deal with situations that are beyond their experience. Their first job can make or break a newly graduated veterinarian and can influence their future expectations of and participation in the profession. Veterinary retention in the profession is impacted by a lack of competence leading to low confidence, which ultimately puts pressure on the profession as a whole. Veterinary employers can, through good leadership, ensure that new graduates are adequately trained and supported to ensure they remain within the profession.

The NZVA believes that graduates should be given as much assistance as possible from employers and experienced colleagues to improve knowledge and skills, and to interact with their colleagues and customers.

The employment of a new graduate carries certain responsibilities (see the Professional Relationships section of theVeterinary Council of New Zealand Code of Professional Conduct) and requires greater input and support from the practice than employment of an experienced graduate. Not every practice has the resources to employ and appropriately support a new graduate. Some practices, even with appropriate resources, may not wish to expend the time and effort to employ a new graduate.

The accompanying template can be adapted to suit the particular requirements of a practice. It can be used for the employment of all personnel, not just new veterinary graduates.

Practices achieving accreditation under BESTPRACTICE standards have demonstrated that each component of this policy is implemented. Independent verification is provided by external audit of practices upon application to join BESTPRACTICE, and of accredited facilities biennially. Accredited practices can thus be relied on to provide a new graduate with induction and training that exceeds the standards defined in this policy. Accredited practices may use this to commercial advantage.

References and Legislation

Veterinary Council of New Zealand Code of Professional Conduct

Employment Relations Act (2000)

Health and Safety at Work Act (2015)

Appendices

Appendix I - New employee practice induction programme