Workplace guidance

We have a range of useful documents and guidance on a variety of issues in the veterinary workplace

Within this section you will find guides for

Careers advice

Document name

 Description Accessibility
BVA guide to job hunting Comprehensive advice and guidance on getting a job, such as preparing a CV, writing application letters, effective interview techniques and more.

Members only Indicates a member only document

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BVA guide to planning for your last 10 years in practice
Contains in-depth information and advice regarding retirement including financial planning, guidance for partners and practice owners and practical tips for adjusting to retired life.

Members - £25.00

Non-members - £50.00

Prices include postage. Guide is non-VATable.

Order by email from the BVA or by calling us on 020 7908 6362

Employment law and contracts

Document name

 Description Accessibility
BVA guide to contracts of employment Contracts of employment guidance for veterinary surgeons in private practice (employers and employees). It includes a model agreement.

Members only Indicates a member only document

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Contracts of employment information leaflet Information on employees' rights and employers' responsibilities in relation to contracts of employment. Available for all to download free of charge
BVA guides on maternity, paternity and adoption rights. Guidance for employees, employers and locums with supporting FAQs, timelines or quick reference and H&S advice including a template risk assessment form. Members only Indicates a member only document

Personal development reviews

Document name Description Accessibility
BVA guide to personal development reviews Information and advice on personal development reviews including useful links Members only Indicates a member only document

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How to carry out a personal development review What to consider when carrying out a personal development reviews Members only Indicates a member only document

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How to get the most from your personal development review How to prepare and what to expect from your personal development review

Members only Indicates a member only document

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Employer preparation form                 For a personal development  review                                            

Members only Indicates a member only document

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Employee preparation form For a personal development review

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Discussion summary form For a personal development review

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Action plan For a personal development review

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Professional development phase (PDP)

Document name

 Description Accessibility
BVA guide to PDP for new graduates Guidance for new graduates on the PDP.

Members only Indicates a member only document

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BVA guides to PDP for employers Guidance for employers on the PDP.

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Employee wellbeing

Document Description Accessibility

Employee wellbeing

 - Guidance for employers

 - Workplace questionnaire

Guidance and a questionnaire to help ensure wellbeing in the workplace

 

 Members only Indicates a member only document

Exit interviews

 - BVA guide to exit interviews

 - How to carry out exit interviews

 - Sample exit interview

 - Exit questionnaire

 Guidance including useful questions and a template questionnaire to ask employees when leaving. Members only Indicates a member only document

Working time regulations

- Sample workforce agreement

 Useful guidance for working time regulations. Members only Indicates a member only document
BVA guidance on whistleblowing Guidance on the kinds of situations which may cause you to 'blow the whistle', along with sources of further information and help. Members only Indicates a member only document
Guidance on domiciliary visits and lone working A safety guide for domiciliary and on-farm visits and suggestions for reducing the risks when working alone

Members only Indicates a member only document

Business

Document name Description Accessibility
BVA guide to partnerships in veterinary practice   A practical guide on areas to consider prior to drawing up a partnership agreement.   Members only Indicates a member only document

Ethical guidance

Document name

 Description Accessibility

Euthanasia

 -Euthanasia

 - The role of the vet in treatment choice

 Guidance documents about issues relating to euthanasia and the role of the vet in treatment choice.

Members only Indicates a member only document

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Guide to being a professional witness Guidance for veterinary surgeons attending a case likely to result in a court appearance

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Recognising abuse in animals and humans Guidance for veterinary surgeons and other veterinary employees on recognising abuse in animals and humans. Produced by the Links group and approved by the BVA. Available for all to download free of charge

Reporting to the Kennel Club

 - FAQs on reporting to the Kennel Club 

  - List of surgically-corrected conformational problems to be reported

 - Veterinary report of a caesarean operation on a dog and/or a procedure altering the natural conformation of a Kennel Club registered dog 

 Guidance for members on reporting surgical conformation corrections/caesareans to the Kennel Club.

Members only Indicates a member only document

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Welfare plan for livestock shows  Voluntary welfare plan and guidance for show vets and show organisers to check and sign off welfare arrangements in advance of livestock shows Members only Indicates a member only document


Guidance for government legislation

Title Description Availability
Disclosure and Barring Service A guide to the Disclosure and Barring Service which replaced CRB and ISA Members only Indicates a member only document
Workplace guidance on dangerous dogs This guide has been produced to provide up-to-date information about the current law on proscribed dogs and dangerous dogs Members only Indicates a member only document
BVA good practice guide to handling veterinary waste for England and Wales A practical guide to assist the veterinary profession to comply with waste regulations in England and Wales Members only Indicates a member only document
Good practice guide to handling veterinary waste in Scotland  A practical guide to assist the veterinary profession to comply with waste regulations in Scotland Members only Indicates a member only document
BVA good practice guide to handling veterinary waste in Northern Ireland A practical guide to assist the veterinary professional to comply with waste regulations in Northern Ireland. Members only Indicates a member only document
Guidance notes for the safe use of ionising radiations - IRR 1999 A basic, easy to use guide written by veterinary surgeons who are radiation protection advisors (RPA) and is supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).

Members - £16.00 including P&P

Non-members - £32.00 including P&P

Order by email from the BVA or by calling us on 020 7908 6344

Veterinary Dental Radiography Guidance Advice on the installation and safe use of equipment designed specifically for dental radiography. They are supplementary to, and should be read in conjunction with the above Guidance notes for the safe use of ionising radiations in veterinary practice. Members only Indicates a member only document

Extramural studies

Document name Description Accessibility
Extramural studies: a guide for practitioners

This guide has been reviewed and updated in line with the recent changes to the EMS requirements.

This guide raises awareness on numerous issues to consider in order for everyone to get the most from the EMS experience. 

 Members only Indicates a member only document
Extramural studies: a guide for students

This guide has been reviewed and updated in line with the recent changes to the EMS requirements.

This guide raises awareness on numerous issues to consider in order for everyone to get the most from the EMS experience. 

 Members only Indicates a member only document

Treatment of strays

Document name

 Description Accessibility
RSPCA/BVA Memorandum of Understanding The agreement outlines the arrangements for emergency treatment of sick and injured stray and wild animals.

Members only Indicates a member only document

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RSPCA/BVA initial emergency treatment flowchart The flowchart outlines the procedure practices should use when faced with sick and injured tray and wild animals requiring initial emergency treatment. 

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Stray racing pigeons Advice on dealing with stray racing pigeons.

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Certificates

Document name

 Description Accessibility

Export certificates

 - Export certificates for dogs, cats and small animals (PDF)

- Export certificates for dogs, cats and small animals (Word)

 Export certificates to download and copy into your practice's management system.

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Certificate of veterinary examination of a ram intended for breeding A certificate to download and copy into your practice's management system.

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