Background

In July 2013, AHVLA announced plans to improve the quality and accessibility of training for Official Veterinarians (OVs) through the introduction of a more modern, flexible approach to training which reflects business needs and changes in the veterinary business landscape. The previous system of training OVs reflected a historic concept of veterinary practice structure and of the veterinary workforce.  Many practices still operate along conventional lines and will retain easy access to the new system, but there is now a variety of business models, offering different propositions to their clients, and it is necessary not to impede such developments through an inadequate system of training and authorisation.

In addition, all state veterinary functions are now subject to audit by international organisations such as the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission.  In order to withstand increasing scrutiny and safeguard our ability to trade internationally it is necessary to meet reasonable expectations for governance of our entire national veterinary service.

As government services should be provided ‘digital by default’ new ways of working, such as electronic systems for export certification and reporting test results, will require additional training and retraining; it is also appropriate for this to be delivered digitally where possible. As an organisation with proven success in veterinary education and cpd, Improve International has been appointed to deliver this training on behalf of the AHVLA.

AHVLA is introducing a new qualification which vets will be required to hold in order to act as an OV. This new qualification, which will replace existing OV Panels, will be called an Official Controls Qualification (Veterinary), or OCQ (V). The term OCQ (V) will be followed by two letters which indicate the work area covered by the specific qualification OCQ (V).

Further details on the work areas covered by each OCQ (V) can be found here.

Anyone can train for and hold any OCQ (V)s, irrespective of whether they currently work in the field covered by the qualification, as they form part of continuing professional development. For example, a small animal practitioner can still hold an OCQ (V) that relates to large animals.

The training for each OCQ (V) consists of a series of online modules that can be taken in more than one session. The modules must however be completed in sequence. A record of progress will be maintained by the training provider showing an individual’s progress through the course.

Each OCQ (V) will comprise reflective exercises throughout the modules, culminating in a final online examination. Candidates will have an opportunity to re-take the examination if they are initially unsuccessful. Training will contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and eliminate the delays in training courses being available, as it will be an on-demand service. It will also remove the need for time away from the work place, sometimes at distant locations, as courses can be taken on line, either out of hours or during the working day. OCQ (V) – TT also requires an assessment of practical skills.

In addition, all qualifications are accredited by ESVPS and validated by Harper Adams University and there will be an option on registration for candidates to elect to gain university credits on gaining selected OCQ (V)s. * There is a small additional fee for these credits but each OCQ (V) can carry 5 credits at Level 5 within the QAA Framework.

It is necessary for existing Official Veterinarians to register on this system by 31 March 2015 in order to retain their OV  status. You will then have to revalidate at the appropriate revalidation cycle.

Those wishing to become OV’s must first register on this site and then register for the relevant OCQ(V)s. These qualifications are available for anyone to take but if you wish to be considered to be an OV you must pass the appropriate OCQ(V)s, have current Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) membership and then tick the relevant box to apply to the AHVLA to be awarded OV status. You will then have to revalidate at the appropriate revalidation cycle.  

Please be aware whilst Improve International, along with ESVPS & HAU, will issue you with the accredited qualification, this alone does not give you automatic authority to act as an OV.

Once the OCQ (V) course has been successfully completed, Improve International will notify AHVLA of an individual’s qualification and relevant MRCVS number.

AHVLA will then authorise the vet as an OV. Only once the vet has been authorised to work as an OV can they do so. AHVLA will continue to  provide the final authorisation on behalf of Defra, Scottish and Welsh Governments which will apply for the duration of the validity of the certificate of competence.  This can only be awarded by AHVLA, who also have the right to withdraw that authorisation. If you lose your MRCVS membership your authority to act as an OV will automatically be revoked and will have to be reinstated by AHVLA along with any appropriate terms. Whilst final authorisation is always from AHVLA it can be applied for through our registration database.

With respect of OCQ (V) - TT only, the successful completion of the online training course will confer only provisional authorisation to act as an OV qualified to conduct TB skin tests. Such tests can only be undertaken under the supervision of a fully qualified tester. Full OV status will only be conferred on completion of the OCQ (V) - TT supervised test, which will arranged by the training provider.

OVs shall not be obliged to undertake OV work and no commitment is made by AHVLA in relation to the availability of Government funded OV work. An OCQ (V) is taken by the individual and becomes part of a CPD record. The qualification is therefore portable between employers in the same way as others.

OVs should however ensure that any changes to their main employer details are updated on their registration record held by Improve International, as AHVLA will need to be aware of an OVs employer in order to ensure that that payments are correctly made for any work undertaken by the OV on behalf of AHVLA.

To enable the required and relevant checks to be carried out, for example on export health certificates, it will be necessary to have electronic signatures on the individual registration record. The signature will need to be scanned and sent electronically to Improve International. This should be done as part of the initial registration process or prior to revalidation by existing OVs. Where it is not possible for an individual to scan their signature, other methods will be made available by the training provider.

Data held will be protected in accordance with the Data Protection Act but, as part of the registration process, those registering will be required to agree to data provided being shared between Improve International and AHVLA. This is necessary in order that AHVLA is able to authorise the individual to work as an Official Veterinarian on behalf of ministers.

It is the responsibility of the individual registering to ensure their information is kept up to date. Improve International will also keep you updated with relevant information, additional CPD opportunities appropriate to your OCQ(V) and revalidation reminders.

* At present OCQ(V)s ES, CA and EX do not have credits attached to them.