PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT
BEING AN ENGAGED PROFESSIONAL MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
This is the third and final article in the series of articles on engaged professionals . One of the guiding principles in the Guidance on Professionalism for Veterinarians is the veterinarian ’ s responsibilities to the profession and society . Recognition of the privilege of self-regulation and the responsibility to merit this privilege by seeking trustworthiness and building confidence in each member individually and the profession is the basis for this article that focuses on member engagement with the College .
Being engaged in your profession has many rewards : an opportunity for growth and learning , an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and leadership , and an opportunity to contribute to the reputation of the veterinary profession . Read on for additional ideas on how to engage with the College and discover the benefits .
Participate in and reflect on continuing professional development :
Making your continuing professional development ( CPD ) a priority contributes to the public ’ s trust in the profession . CPD includes activities you pursue to maintain your professional competence , keep up with innovations and advancements , or develop expertise in a new area or scope of practice .
An essential component of effective CPD is reflection on the value of an activity as it relates to your professional development and practice . By critically thinking about a learning experience , reflection promotes deep learning and identification of relevant learning goals .
The CPD Activity Log in your Professional Practice Portal is an excellent tool to track learning activities for continuing professional development and reflect on the learning value of the activity . By using the tool , it automatically populates the CPD hours on your annual license renewal form .
Participate in Quality Assurance Programs :
The College delivers Quality Assurance
Programs that support veterinarians in demonstrating their continued competence and the safety and quality of their practice . Consider volunteering for a Peer Review of Medical Records to ensure that your records are meeting the standards and learn what improvements will enhance patient care .
The College will soon be launching its core Quality Assurance Program , the Peer Advisory Conversation . Learn about your strengths and areas to focus your continuing professional development related to standards of care and professionalism .
Engagement in these programs throughout your career provide an opportunity to participate in ongoing learning and respond to the evolving nature of veterinary medicine .
Stay informed :
The College , through its communications , endeavors to inform licensed veterinarians about new or updated policies and standards , new College initiatives and programs , and information that is important to the practice of veterinary medicine in the province . This is accomplished through the College website , the E-update newsletter , sent by email to licensed veterinarians monthly , and through College Connection which is published four times a year .
From time to time , information that is important to veterinarians in their practice may be sent by an email notice . It is important to check your email
Dr . Kim Lambert Associate Registrar - Quality Practice
regularly for news from the College . Keep your email address updated through your Professional Practice Portal .
Explore College resources : Modules , Videos , Practice Advisory Service , Sample Documents , Podcasts and more …
The College supports licensed veterinarians in the delivery of safe , quality veterinary medicine by providing useful resources to assist with understanding their obligations . Our knowledgeable Practice Advisors are a helpful resource if you are seeking information related to the regulations , policy and expectations associated with the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario . This service offered by the College is free and confidential .
The Quality Improvement Program at the College has developed a collection of free resources to assist veterinarians in their understanding of the rules pertaining to their practice including drug management , medical record keeping , the veterinarian-client-patient relationship , and more . Learning modules on communication are a popular resource that support positive client relations and patient outcomes . Consider these when planning your yearly CPD .
Instilling public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 3