Veterinary Medicine (Graduate Entry)  (VTS3)

This programme will deliver excellence in veterinary education by the advancement and communication of knowledge, research and scholarship, and by the provision of the highest quality care for animals. It is aligned with the academic, societal, global and national needs of both veterinary professionals and veterinary scientists. We value and promote a culture of learning for our students which focuses on wellbeing and community. We encourage our students to become autonomous, lifelong learners so that they can develop their knowledge and skills throughout their professional careers. We continuously endeavour to discover innovative ways to improve the quality of our research, education and patient care, underpinned by an evidence-based approach to veterinary medicine. We aim to provide a stimulating, integrated learning environment that will allow students develop Day One Competences and become ethical 21st century veterinary practitioners meeting the highest standards of professional practice guided by our national and international accreditation bodies. Our programme incorporates a range of teaching approaches in addition to didactic teaching such as: blended learning, work-based learning, group work, online learning and hands-on practicals. 

1 - Access the appropriate sources of data on licensed medicines, prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in accordance with relevant legislation, and ensure that medicines and waste are safely stored and/or disposed of
2 - Appropriately collect, preserve and transport diagnostic/research samples
3 - Carry out Veterinary Certification correctly
4 - Carry out appropriate clinical reasoning with prioritisation of clinical problems, selection of the appropriate diagnostic tests and initiation of the appropriate treatment plan or offering referral of the patient where appropriate
5 - Follow correct procedures after diagnosing notifiable, reportable and zoonotic diseases
6 - Handle and restrain all common domestic species safely and humanely, and instruct others in performing these techniques
7 - Minimise the risks of contamination, cross infection and accumulation of pathogens in veterinary premises and in the field
8 - Obtain an accurate and relevant history about an individual animal or animal group, and its/their environment
9 - Perform a complete clinical examination on all common domestic species
10 - Perform and document a basic gross post-mortem examination
11 - Perform ante and post mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain and correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of products of animal origin
12 - Perform basic first aid on all common domestic animal species in an emergency situation and understand the principles of intensive care case management
13 - Perform basic surgical procedures with the adherence to the principles of aseptic technique
14 - Prepare clear case reports and maintain patient health and welfare records in a form satisfactory to colleagues
15 - Recognise when euthanasia is necessary and perform it humanely using an appropriate method
16 - Safely perform sedation, general and regional anaesthesia, implement chemical methods of restraint, and assess and control pain
17 - Understand the principles of herd- health management having regard to animal health, animal welfare and public health standards, seeking advice and assistance where necessary
18 - Use radiographic and ultrasonic equipment which can be used as a diagnostic aid, safely and in accordance with current regulations
19 - Exhibit veterinary professionalism in a range of contexts through effective, compassionate and courteous communication with clients, professional colleagues, and responsible authorities
20 - Work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to provide optimal veterinary care
21 - Act in a professional manner with regard to the veterinary practitioner s professional and legal responsibilities for animal health, welfare and public health, and apply the ethical codes of the appropriate regulatory bodies in the context of ever-changing societal expectations
22 - Review and critically analyse the literature relevant to veterinary medicine to improve clinical practice and decision making in an evidence based approach
23 - Recognise limitations in knowledge and clinical skills and demonstrate awareness of when and from where to seek professional advice, assistance and support
24 - Demonstrate lifelong learning skills to enhance areas of professional competence
25 - Demonstrate comprehensive problem solving skills in a range of veterinary contexts
26 - Identify the fundamental principles underpinning modern management and organisation of a veterinary practice, including regulatory law relating to employment, health and safety, staff and public liability
27 - Demonstrate an understanding of the central biological principles and mechanisms that underlie animal health and disease from the molecular and cellular level.
28 - Demonstrate an understanding of normal function, homeostasis, nutrition, pathophysiology, mechanisms of health and disease of important domestic and foreign animal diseases.
29 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of disease prevention and biosecurity.
30 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of nutrition, therapeutic intervention, surgery, medicine, anaesthesia, diagnostic methods and interpretation (including diagnostic imaging, diagnostic pathology and necropsy).
31 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of patient management and care including intensive care, emergency medicine and isolation procedures for clinical diseases of individual animals and populations.
32 - Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of welfare, ethics, epidemiology, zoonoses, food safety, the relationship between animals and the environment and the role of the profession in public health and professional healthcare teams.

You can work in mixed, small animal, farm animal or equine practice. You may also obtain further specialist clinical qualifications. Beyond clinical practice, veterinarians play an important role in the protection of public health, in research into diseases of animals and man, and in other areas such as conservation and wildlife protection. While most graduates work in clinical practice, increasing numbers pursue research in public service or private sector research. This reflects the important role of the veterinarian in animal health control and consumer protection. At present there is almost complete employment for veterinary graduates.

UCD Veterinary Medicine School Office,
Belfield,
Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 6100
Email: vetprogrammes@ucd.ie
Web:www.ucd.ie/vetmed

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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