The three year residency programme in clinical pathology provides advanced instruction in the areas of haematology, coagulation, cytology, surgical pathology, clinical chemistry, endocrinology, urinalysis, and laboratory management and quality control while also providing adequate time for self-directed learning.

The programme has an excellent track record of training candidates who are successful in specialist Board examinations. 

Objectives of the Residency

The programme’s objectives are to:

• To prepare you to successfully complete the clinical pathology certifying examination administered by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP).
• Provide a solid understanding of the laboratory methods and pathologic bases of diseases to prepare you for a career as veterinary clinical pathologists.
• Allow you to conduct clinical research projects and produce conference and peer-reviewed journal publications from these.

During this training programme you will be expected to:

• Perform diagnostic work and participate in a shared clinical pathology rota.
• Undertake a research project in clinical pathology and produce a publication from this.   
• Participate in Journal Clubs, rounds and other discussion groups.
• Prepare for publication a case report or case series, as first author, in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Present a poster or oral presentation in at least one international meeting.
• Contribute to undergraduate training by participation in clinical rotations, small group teaching, class practicals and seminars.

You will have an incremental role in the diagnostic services provided by the clinical pathology laboratories at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). You will be closely supervised by specialist clinical pathologists throughout the three years of the residency, with more independence in your third year. Participation in the after hours service is expected, once the desired level of competence is attained, and will be shared by all clinical pathologists and residents.

Teaching commitments include instruction of clinical pathology to undergraduate veterinary students via small group tutorials in a rota system, and assistance with practical laboratories. A small research project forms an important component of the programme and the MVetMed degree. 

Duties of the Resident

You will be provided with supervision and funding to conduct a prospective or retrospective project in the field of clinical pathology, which will result in the submission of a manuscript for publication by the termination of the three year contract. You are expected to attend a variety of weekly discussion sessions and seminars for clinical pathology rounds and journal clubs, and will be encouraged to attend anatomic pathology and clinical seminars and departmental research seminars.

Participation in a national or international conference on clinical pathology is also offered (subject to approval by the clinical pathology residency director). 

Selection criteria for the Residency in Clinical Pathology

Along with the attributes and qualifications required it is also desirable if you have:

• Clinical experience at least in small animal practice and prior use of clinical pathology services
• Prior microscopic training is not a requirement, but having some experience of looking down the microscope e.g. in a clinical practice is useful.

Further information

If you have any further queries about this residency, please contact:

Dr Balazs Szladovits (bszladovits@rvc.ac.uk). 

For general information about the programme see: Residencies.

Further details about the Pathology Group at the RVC can be found at Pathology and Diagnostic Laboratories

How to apply

For details see How To Apply.