School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

Residency in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

The University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine offers a four-year combined Masters and Residency Programme in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology, subject to funding availability.

The purpose of the residency programme is to provide broad-based theoretical and practical experience in veterinary pathology. The experience is orientated mainly towards pathology of small and large domestic animals, but opportunities exist to also acquire some exposure to laboratory rodents, wild animals, avian and aquatic species.

The emphasis is on independent learning and development of descriptive and interpretive skills in anatomic pathology. Residents are expected to become competent at relating gross and histological tissue alterations to clinical and functional parameters of disease, understanding mechanisms involved in disease processes, and at interpreting aspects of clinical chemistry and haematology (at a level appropriate for anatomic pathologists). Furthermore, they are expected to develop some experience in techniques routinely used in diagnostic pathology and research, predominantly immunohistochemistry (IHC), but potentially also polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridisation (ISH), fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) or PCR-based assessment of antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR). 

The purpose of the training programme is to prepare residents to sit the qualifying examinations of pathology specialty boards: American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) and/or European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) and/or Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath).‌‌ 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme entails intensive contribution to the diagnostic activities of the department in the PM room, supplemented by rounds, research activities and contributions to student teaching, and culminating in a final phase of uninterrupted study for exam preparation.

• Residents become proficient in the gross and histological evaluation and reporting of post-mortem cases submitted for diagnostic or teaching purposes. Necropsy material is supplemented by (both archived and current) biopsy material coming through the service.
• Residents attend and contribute to weekly rounds in the pathology division, comprising gross pathology rounds, slide (including WSC conference) reviews and discussion, and journal club. In addition, residents participate in interdepartmental seminars with residents and faculty of other clinical disciplines, reviewing and discussing clinical and pathological findings of specific cases and presenting topics of their choice.
• Residents take responsibility for the preparation of cases submitted to the Wednesday Slide Conference (WSC) of the Joint Pathology Centre (JPC).
• Residents contribute to practical instruction of students in the BVMS curriculum, including supervision of students in the PM room, selected lab practicals and revision classes, and gross specimen description classes.
• Finally, the programme also includes a supervised research project leading to a Master in Veterinary Medicine (MVM) degree, requiring a written dissertation and aimed at producing a publication in an international peer reviewed scientific journal.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Residents must possess a veterinary degree registrable with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Registration is not required at the time of application but is mandatory for the appointed candidate before starting the programme.

Residents must have completed twelve months of post-graduate training or work experience in a field of the veterinary profession that has relevance to the discipline of anatomic pathology. Completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline and/or experience in clinical practice are both considered as adequate training.

Where applicable, candidates for the residency programme need to provide evidence of formal certification in English language competency and proficiency (minimum IELTS score of 6.5 in all fields). 

HOW TO APPLY

When available, funded residency positions are advertised on the relevant pages of the ACVP and ECVP websites. Application is through an online procedure. Preliminary enquiries can be addressed to Angie Rupp.