The Student Room Group

VetMed - does this count as clinical work experience? (RVC)

I have been volunteering at a Wildlife Hospital, where I assist in the care and rehabilitation of injured, sick, and orphaned animals. My responsibilities include:

Cleaning cages

Feeding animals (including force-feeding younger birds)

Weighing patients

Observing and documenting changes in behavior and physical appearance (such as weight loss, bleeding, or coughing)


During this time, I’ve worked with a variety of species, including pigeons, corvids, hawks, hedgehogs, badgers, and foxes.

Does anyone know whether RVC will count this work experience towards the 70 hours clinical requirement?
I don't want to waste a choice on the UCAS form if this is not counted as clinical.

Reply 1

Original post by BelindaFlamazing
I have been volunteering at a Wildlife Hospital, where I assist in the care and rehabilitation of injured, sick, and orphaned animals. My responsibilities include:

Cleaning cages

Feeding animals (including force-feeding younger birds)

Weighing patients

Observing and documenting changes in behavior and physical appearance (such as weight loss, bleeding, or coughing)


During this time, I’ve worked with a variety of species, including pigeons, corvids, hawks, hedgehogs, badgers, and foxes.
Does anyone know whether RVC will count this work experience towards the 70 hours clinical requirement?
I don't want to waste a choice on the UCAS form if this is not counted as clinical.

Is there a full time vet working there and does he / she oversee what you are doing?

Reply 2

Original post by Euapp
Is there a full time vet working there and does he / she oversee what you are doing?

There are a few vets and veterinary nurses.
Yes and no. We report all observations to the vets, discuss moving animals from areas to areas and whether they are ready for the release, get us to prep the cages for the new patients etc.

Reply 3

Original post by BelindaFlamazing
There are a few vets and veterinary nurses.
Yes and no. We report all observations to the vets, discuss moving animals from areas to areas and whether they are ready for the release, get us to prep the cages for the new patients etc.

In which case I would count it as a clinical placement but I would phone the schools concerned to double check. They normally think of a small animal first opinion clinic as the classic work experience but if it isn’t stipulated then the placement should count. Make sure that you get the reference in the right format with the days and hours worked, exactly as required by your schools. ( some want days, others total hours so I would get them to write both) and then get it signed by the vet responsible for the hospital.

Reply 4

Original post by Euapp
In which case I would count it as a clinical placement but I would phone the schools concerned to double check. They normally think of a small animal first opinion clinic as the classic work experience but if it isn’t stipulated then the placement should count. Make sure that you get the reference in the right format with the days and hours worked, exactly as required by your schools. ( some want days, others total hours so I would get them to write both) and then get it signed by the vet responsible for the hospital.

I have contacted RVC, but haven't heard back.
Anyways, thank you for your advice!

Update
Heard from RVC, they will count it as non-clincal. *sigh*
(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 5

Original post by BelindaFlamazing
I have contacted RVC, but haven't heard back.
Anyways, thank you for your advice!
Update
Heard from RVC, they will count it as non-clincal. *sigh*

Oh dear. It’s going to be difficult to get clinical wex now before the cut off date unless you’re on a gap year 😥

Reply 6

Original post by Euapp
Oh dear. It’s going to be difficult to get clinical wex now before the cut off date unless you’re on a gap year 😥

It's fine, good to find out before I wasted a choice.

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