Become a Diplomate

In order to become a Diplomate, veterinary surgeons, known as Residents, must undergo a rigorous Training Programme in either Large or Small animal surgery, supervised by recognised veterinary specialists (Diplomates). Below is the information and reporting forms required to complete your evaluation once enrolled as a Resident.

For more information regarding becoming a Resident, please read the How to become a specialist document or contact the ECVS office.

Once you have successfully completed the Training Programme you will be considered for the final Board Examination.

Occasionally, open Residency positions are advertised on our website. Check the job ads.

ACVS Diplomates can apply to become ECVS Diplomates - read more here.

Residents and Alternate Trainees

The ECVS Training Brochure has been updated in November 2021:

All Residents and Supervisors are expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to these guidelines when applying and submitting Annual Reports and Credentials. The reporting modalities are described in Chapter 9. How to report to ECVS of the Training Brochure.

Important Information:

Note: The 'Instructions' menu in RED has recently been updated with further details on how to submit annual reports and credentials. All Residents reporting through RED are kindly asked to read the instructions when submitting their reports.

• Large Animal residents (ALL - existing and new applicants) report their activities via the Resident Electronic Database (RED; accessible via 'your ECVS') from August 2019. If you do not see the link to RED in 'your ECVS', please contact the office at [email protected].
• Small Animal residents accepted to an ECVS training programme from 1 July 2019 onwards report their activities via the Resident Electronic Database (RED; accessible via 'your ECVS') from now on. If you do not see the link to RED in 'your ECVS', please contact the office at [email protected].
• Small Animal residents started before 1 July 2019 report their activities via the previously used platform as per the instructions in the Training Brochure, Chapter 9., 2b) (page 28).
• Note: As of July 2020, hard copies and CDs / USB sticks are no longer required. Residents submit their reports online only. Scanned signatures are required.

For training periods affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, please observe our  > special COVID-19 reporting instructions

Deadlines for all Annual Reports and Credentials submissions:

• 31 July: deadline for Annual Reports to be submitted online and to the ECVS office.
• 15 August: deadline for Credentials to be submitted online and to the ECVS office.

Reporting Forms

Attention: The table below lists only the forms which need to be downloaded from the ECVS webpage and completed. Please refer to the Evaluation form for a complete list of documents to be submitted per year.

Please make sure to download the current forms each year and do not reuse and overwrite old forms.

 > COVID-19 reporting instructions for training periods affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

¹⁾ If the original signed form has been submitted and approved in a previous year, it does not need to be sent again with the credentials package.

Further information:

• Where to publish - for a list of accepted journals please consult the Training Brochure, Element 8: Produce, publish and present Clinical Research.
• Requirements for surgical procedures - are listed in the Training Brochure, Element 3: Case load of adequate size, standard and variety.
• Updated coding information is available for all SA residents, particularly for those in training before July 2019, in the Training Brochure: Element 3 pages, 18 and 19.

Resident Ombuds

The role of the ombuds is to represent the interests of the Residents enrolled on ECVS training programmes. The typical duties of an ombuds are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations or mediation.

The ombuds is independent of all ECVS committees. They are appointed by the Board of Regents. The currently appointed ombudspersons are Roger Smith and Jackie Demtriou.

How to contact the ombuds

Residents wishing to contact the ombuds can write to [email protected].

In their first contact email, they do not need to disclose any reasons for wanting to speak to the ombuds. The request will be forwarded to the ombuds entirely confidentially. Ombuds and Resident will then continue the conversation directly via email, telephone or online.

Both Resident and ombuds can request or suggest a different individual to consult if a conflict of interest is perceived.

All cases will be treated confidentially. The ombuds submits a report to the Board of Regents before each Board meeting documenting the cases he/she has been consulted on and the advice given and resolution sought and achieved.  To maintain confidentiality, the identity of the individuals concerned will not be reported.

Resident Research Grant

Every year, the ECVS awards two Resident Research Grants of up to € 7'500. Applications are to be submitted with the > application form until 1 December. The award winner will be ratified by the Board of Regents at the February meeting of the following year.

Residents applying for a grant are requested to carefully read the > guidelines before submitting. Please find below some further information and guidelines about the application format and process:

• Both spreadsheets of the Excel application form are to be completed.
• Only the yellow fields are to be filled in by the applicant; the gray fields are completed automatically.
• The second spreadsheet ('Blinded Research Project') must be completed entirely anonymously; i.e. no names, specific facility names or anything that points to a specific institution or individuals must be mentioned here to allow for an entirely blinded assessment process by the Research Committee.
• Please observe the additional explanatory notes and instructions in the Excel file.
• The second spreadsheet ('Blinded Research Project') is to be converted into a PDF file. This section must not exceed 5 pages (PDF, A4 portrait format).
• For a complete submission, both files - the entire Excel file + the PDF file of the second spreadsheet - must be submitted to [email protected].

Please also see the example of a complete application: > Excel application form > PDF of blinded proposal

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