To become a resident you have to be a veterinarian. The first step is to get acknowledgement of your internship. The document has to be send to the Credentials Committee.
Once this is approved, you need to register as a resident by sending the document to the Education&Residency Committee.
Your training programme should be acknowledged as a standard or alternative programme by the Credentials Committee. Standard programmes have to be re-evaluated every 5 years by resubmission of the document.
During the residency you have to keep an activity logbook and send in an evaluation and progress report every 6 months to the Education&Residency Committee.
Each year of residency you have to send in a case report to the Credentials Committee by March 1st.
After completing the 3-5 year training programme, you are able to submit your exam application to the Credentials Committee.
All the required documents are stated below.
Background:
>> WHY TO BECOME A DIPLOMATE?
Being a ECVCN Diplomate may allow to qualify for advanced expert positions in the area of nutritional sciences in practice, in academy and in the food and feed industry.
>> HOW TO BECOME A RESIDENT?
To apply for a resident vacant position in a residency program. Job postings can be found on our website.
>> WHAT IS A RESIDENCY PROGRAMME?
A ECVCN-approved Residency Programme is designed to provide in-depth training in veterinary nutrition, combining related basic and applied sciences and clinical Nutrition.
This will allow a qualified veterinarian (the Resident) to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the general nutrition of food and companion animals and specific knowledge on either category.
Once the requirements have been fulfilled, the resident will be able to sit the ECVCN Diploma Examination and by passing this examination become a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition.
The residency programmes of ECVCN are performed under the supervision of Diplomates of the College.
The objectives of the programme are:
*to develop technical sophistication and major professional expertise in the areas of veterinary medicine and nutrition;
*to provide experience in research and investigative projects to develop critical thinking,clinical experience, and acquisition of the ability to assess experimental data;
*to provide experience in presentation techniques for teaching and education;
*to develop a scientific basis for veterinary medical practice, food and feed industry, and administration that allow the successfull trainee to manage large and small animal patients,problems of herd health and veterinary public health with nutrition as a central area.
Residency programme description
Download the full description of the ECVCN residency programme in the policy and procedures
Standard programme:
The total residency programme would last a minimal of a 4-year period, divided as follows:
- A 1 year rotating internship in veterinary internal medicine or surgery, or its equivalent as defined in advance by the Credentials Committee.
- A 3-year nutrition training programme conducted under the supervision of a Diplomate of the College.
The second part of the programme consists of supervised training, postgraduate education, and in-depth experience in the science and state of art in veterinary and comparative nutrition and their supporting disciplines under the supervision of at least 1 ECVCN Diplomate who participates actively in that programme or its equivalent, as defined by the Education Committee
The training can be taken consecutively or on a part time basis as long as the total time is equivalent. Each preceptor shall prepare a statement that the candidate has satisfactory completed the approved time of training. There shall be no restriction on training institutions as long as they meet the requirements for approved postgraduate programs.
Alternative programme:
In exceptional cases it will be possible to follow an alternative training programme. The length of this programme should be at least similar to the total length of a standard residency programme. If the programme is not continuous, it must be arranged in blocks of no less than half a month per block, with a minimum total of 4 months per year. The alternative training programme should be under the direct supervision of a Diplomate of the ECVCN and/or ACVN, and the Education & Residency Committee should have approved it in advance of the commencement of training. The applicant will be responsible for setting up an alternative programme in cooperation with his/her supervisor. All the requirements for the formal residency programme should also be met for an alternative programme, including publications, case log, presentation log, and activity log. It is stressed that alternative programmes are only approved for an individual and not for an institution.
>> HOW TO SIT THE DIPLOMA EXAMINATION?
Qualifications to sit the Diploma Examination are required:
1> THE CANDIDATE HAS TO COMPLETE THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM TRAINING (what is certified by a letter from the Resident Supervisor)
2 > THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS ALSO HAVE TO BE MET:
- Two (2) publications in an internationally refereed scientific journal of which the applicant must be the principal author. At least one of them should be an original study and in English with first authorship of the candidate.
- Documentation of practical experience by three (3) written case studies. At least one of these should be published.
- At least one English oral presentation at an international conference.
- Recognition, where applicable, as a specialist in their specialisation at national level.
3> A COMPLETE FILE WITH ALL INFORMATION SHALL BE SENT TO THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE together with the application form to sit the examination