The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has confirmed that a new ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery is among the first qualifications approved under its new postgraduate accreditation framework. The certificate is now formally recognised as an eligible qualification for vets applying for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status.
This is the first ISVPS-awarded certificate programme that has been directly accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) without the prior requirement for a university Postgraduate Certificate (PgC), creating a new, streamlined route to Advanced Practitioner status.
Over the past six months, ISVPS and Improve Veterinary Education have worked with the RCVS in support of this review process. Under the new framework, all external certificate providers are required to submit their programmes for assessment against revised criteria to maintain or secure eligibility for Advanced Practitioner applications.
The newly approved ISVPS GPCert Advanced Practitioner Route programme combines 10 hands-on practical surgery days with structured online learning, human factors training, and additional active learning activities such as error management training, all designed to support clinicians as they build confidence and capability in soft tissue procedures.
Aidan McAlinden, Academic and Content Director at Improve International, said: “Over the last 12 months we have invested significant time and resources to develop an innovative, contemporary, and relevant Soft Tissue Surgery programme that meets the needs of the profession today. We are very grateful to the RCVS for their time and rigour in reviewing it, and for awarding the accreditation that will enable veterinary surgeons who study with us to take further steps in their career.”
“By accrediting the ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate as eligible for application to Advanced Practitioner status, the RCVS has recognised both the quality of the syllabus and robustness of the ISVPS assessment process” said Charlotte French, ISVPS Head of Academic Affairs. “This is an important milestone, and we’re committed to progressing the rest of our certificate programmes through the same rigorous review process.”