Sarah Bradstock's journey with the AVA Return to Work program

^{Image: Sarah Bradstock, supplied}

For those looking to rekindle their passion for veterinary science or to refresh their skills, the AVA’s Return to Work program provides an invaluable resource, supporting a smooth transition back into the profession with confidence and competence.

Sarah Bradstock’s love of animals was instilled early on by her father, a trotting driver and trainer. Growing up in Sydney, she pursued her passion by studying Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney. After graduating, Sarah worked in several small animal practices around the northern suburbs of Sydney, where she developed a strong interest in client education. This interest eventually led her to undertake a teaching degree, and she currently teaches Biology and Earth Science in Sydney secondary schools.

Sarah is now considering veterinary re-registration, although is unsure if she will return to clinical practice. “A good friend I studied with sent me information about the AVA’s Return to Work course. He actually sent it three times! I thought it must be a sign. I decided to check it out and was immediately impressed by the rigour of the courses. It has been a number of years since graduation and so much has changed in the understanding of disease processes and diagnosis. It has been a very steep learning curve!” Sarah said.

Sarah enrolled in several modules, including Clinical Module 1 (Perform Medical and Diagnostic Techniques), Clinical Module 4 (Undertake Clinical Pathology Testing), Clinical Module 5 (Provide Medications and Therapeutic Interventions), and the Practical Skills Guide. She has already completed three, finding them to be well-designed and insightful. She added, “I really enjoyed the clinical pathology testing module. The principles have not changed but it was great to see so much advancement has been made in techniques and their interpretation. The medications module is also an eye-opener as there are so many new medications now available for use in small animals.”

The online format of the Return to Work program proved to be user-friendly and accessible, allowing Sarah to progress at her own pace. To enhance her learning experience, Sarah opted to complete self-assessments as part of the training and commented that “the assessment aspect helps drive my motivation and attention to detail during the process. There is a sense of achievement when you receive your mark!”

Reflecting on her experience, Sarah wholeheartedly recommends the AVA's Return to Work program to other veterinarians considering a return to clinical practice after a break. She praised the modules for their rigorous and detailed approach, covering key aspects of clinical practice. “Thank you to the team responsible for developing the modules. The principles of sound resource development are very evident, and you can tell the material has been written by people with clinical experience. There are many tips and tricks and insights added that could only be the result of years of clinical exposure,” Sarah said.

The AVA's Return to Work program offers a flexible, comprehensive learning experience for veterinarians and veterinary students. The clinical modules focus on small animal practice, covering diagnostic principles, consultation procedures, anaesthesia, surgical techniques, pathology testing, and pharmacology. The non-clinical modules and practical skills guide complements these modules by encouraging participants to seek supervised training opportunities and reflect on their professional goals.

Participants can pick and choose from clinical and non-clinical modules and complete the e-learning program at their own pace. A self-assessment can be undertaken to help identify a list of clinical modules that should be considered for completion.

Registration for the Return to Work program is currently free for AVA members, with clinical and non-clinical modules eligible for CPD.

For more information, visit the AVA’s Return to Work website, which includes a handy list of frequently asked questions.