Core Competencies for New Veterinary School Graduates

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Introduction

Veterinarians in equine practice perform a wide variety of tasks with widely varying frequency. The following skills are identified as “core competencies” for new graduates. Educators and employers are encouraged to use this information when determining the training necessary for new graduates to achieve career success.

The AAEP recognizes that some educational programs will not afford all graduates the opportunity to perform some procedures. Students should use this list as a tool to seek opportunities to gain experience in these areas. Similarly, some post-graduate programs are designed to give very in-depth experiences in a particular area. As such, some post-graduate programs may not afford experiences in each area.

These lists are to provide general guidance when evaluating new graduate or post-internship skill sets and are not meant to be an inclusive evaluation for all situations.

The AAEP’s identification of core competencies is based on the following published article resulting from a survey of equine practitioners:

“Frequency of activities and procedures performed in private equine practice and proficiency expected of new veterinary school graduates”, Perspectives in Professional Education, JAVMA, Vol 232, No. 1, January 1, 2008, John A. E. Hubbell, DVM, MS, DACVA; William J.A. Saville, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM; Rustin M. Moore, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS.

Skills a new equine veterinary graduate should be able to perform:

Medical Knowledge

Take a complete medical history
Estimate weight
Interpret a hemogram (CBC)
Interpret a serum biochemical profile
Identify the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome and be able to discuss a complete management plan
Develop a vaccination strategy for different ages, locations and exposure risks
Recognize and treat systemic and localized pain
Estimate degree of dehydration and develop an appropriate treatment plan
Analyze the basic components of a ration and make general recommendations based on the patient’s caloric needs
Understand/be able to find information on drug withdrawal periods for performance horses and have knowledge of their implications on treatment options
Develop a plan to medically manage a superficial or deep corneal ulcer, stromal abscess, or foreign body
Recognize when surgical intervention is necessary for a corneal infection or injury
Recognize and develop a treatment plan to manage Equine Recurrent Uveitis
Discuss testing for genetic diseases and coat colors: Indications, risk factors, avoidance practices

Examination

Perform a physical examination on a foal and an adult horse
Auscult and interpret respiratory sounds of foals and adults
Auscult and interpret heart sounds
Auscult and interpret gastrointestinal sounds
Perform a neonatal examination
Perform a post-foaling examination

Techniques

Administer medication PO (paste)
Administer an IM injection
Perform jugular venipuncture
Administer an IV injection
Administer an SC injection (medication and fluids)
Use an HCT tube and tabletop centrifuge to determine PCV
Use a refractometer to determine total plasma protein concentration
Use a portable machine to determine glucose and lactate concentrations in fresh blood  Recognize overt lipids in a venous blood sample
Place and secure a catheter in the jugular vein
Pass a nasogastric tube
Administer liquid medication with a nasogastric tube
Perform fluorescein staining of the cornea
Perform and interpret a test for measuring IgG concentration in foals
Perform an enema
Perform a skin scraping
Aspirate a mass
Flush a nasolacrimal duct
Perform a fecal flotation
Prepare and read a Gram stained slide
Perform an auriculopalpebral nerve block
Perform a complete ophthalmic examination with direct or indirect ophthalmology
Obtain measurements of IOP

Reproduction

Place a tail wrap on a mare
Perform rectal palpation for mid- and late-stage pregnancy
Examine the cervix with a vaginal speculum
Obtain a uterine sample for culture
Know the basic indications and technique for performing a Caslick’s procedure
Discuss the basic techniques of breeding a mare with CSS, and frozen semen: Know the basics of a mare’s reproductive cycle; Develop and discuss a breeding plan with an owner
Discuss the process of collection of semen for the purpose of developing a plan to breed a client’s mare
Discuss the aspects of an unsuccessful breeding cycle: Mare factors, Stallion factors, Handling/management factors

Anesthesia

Sedate an adult horse
Perform a line block for local anesthesia
Sedate a foal
Monitor the depth of anesthesia
Develop an anesthesia plan for both long and short procedures requiring general anesthesia  Develop a sedation plan for long-term standing procedures

Husbandry Techniques

Apply a lip twitch
Approach, capture, and attach a halter and lead
Elevate and examine a hind limb
Elevate and examine a forelimb
Perform proper animal restraint
Tie a quick-release knot
Restrain a foal
Apply a tail tie

Surgery

Apply a wound dressing
Apply a bandage to a limb
Apply a bandage to a foot
Remove sutures and staples from a healed surgical wound
Clean and debride a wound
Suture proficiently
Perform surgery; properly gown and glove and aseptically prepare a patient for surgery
Perform hemostasis; isolate, clamp, and use hand and instrument ties to ligate a bleeding vessel
Demonstrate proper postoperative patient care, including wound evaluation
Properly prepare and sterilize a surgical pack
Know the basic principles of wound management and appropriate use of drains for a soft tissue lesion
Identify, diagnose with radiographs, and create an appropriate treatment plan for a sinus infection
Determine the need for and interpret radiographs of the neck
Discuss and understand the basic technique for performing and interpreting a myelogram

Client Education and Regulatory

Complete a health certificate
Explain gastrointestinal parasite identification, treatment, and prevention
Write clear Discharge Instructions in lay terminology
Explain medical conditions to a client clearly and concisely in an understandable manner
Explain proper healthy animal nutrition to client
Recognize the risk factors of age-related issues in older horses and discuss preventative geriatric monitoring

Business of Veterinary Medicine

Maintain complete and concise medical records
Effectively communicate over the telephone
Recognize major breeds, colors and performance disciplines by appearance
Manage time and resources appropriately to meet the needs of a busy schedule while covering unanticipated aspects of the scheduling
Demonstrate a willingness to work cooperatively as a member of a mixed team of professionals and lay coworkers
Communicate effectively (oral and written) with referral veterinarians and referring veterinarians

Dentistry

Know the dental formula and eruption schedule and how to determine approximate age from the dentition
Understand the anatomy and physiology of the teeth and oral cavity and associated structures
Perform and document a complete oral and dental examination
Recognize common dental and oral pathology
Perform dentistry procedures to manage sharp enamel points and occlusal abnormalities
Understand the management of persistent or mal-erupted deciduous teeth
Discuss the indications and locations of local and regional nerve blocks associated with dentistry

Lameness

Obtain a history for a horse presented for a lameness/performance issue
Demonstrate proficient use of hoof testers
Locate and treat a subsolar abscess, with guidance if needed
Perform a musculoskeletal exam of a horse presented for lameness issues
Perform a lameness examination and determine degree of lameness and be able to identify the affected limb
Discuss a diagnostic plan for a horse presented for lameness
Perform basic lower limb diagnostic nerve blocks
Discuss the indications and locations of advanced diagnostic nerve blocks
Identify angular limb/flexural deformities in foals and discuss options for correction

Skills an equine veterinary graduate should be able to perform post-internship or one-year post-graduation