POSTGRADUATE CLINICAL OR LABORATORY TRAINING PROGRAM FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY A. INTRODUCTION The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly offers a Postgraduate Clinical or Laboratory Training Program. The aim of the program is to offer: i. postgraduate clinical or laboratory experience, ii. specialised scientific knowledge, iii. update on the current scientific data, iv. training in research, and in evaluating and applying modern scientific knowledge. The program includes clinical or laboratory training. Additionally, it may include attendance of scientific meetings, lectures or workshops, writing of scientific articles, etc. The duration of the training program is 12 months. However, under certain circumstances determined by each Department, and each trainee, the training period may vary from 1 to 24 months. After successful completion of the training, the Faculty provides a certificate with details of the training program attended. All the issues concerning the postgraduate clinical or laboratory training program of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are designated by the General Assembly according to the law, the regulations of the University of Thessaly, and the provisions of the present regulation. These provisions are presented below. B. APPLICANT S ADMISSION PROCESS B.1. Entry requirements Candidates for the postgraduate training program can either be: i. graduates from Veterinary Medicine or related to Veterinary Medicine Faculties or Schools of the European Union, ii. graduates from Veterinary Medicine or related to Veterinary Medicine Faculties or Schools that have legitimate equivalent of their degree to the corresponding Greek degrees according to the provisions of the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center, iii. graduates from Technological Educational Institutes related to Veterinary Medicine. Applicants who are PhD candidates of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will not be accepted. Applications of candidates not fulfilling the above conditions will not be examined. Qualifications, such as knowledge of foreign languages, previous working experience, publications, announcements, attendance of scientific meetings, seminars or trainings, involvement in research programs, previous postgraduate studies,
reference letters etc, are not necessary but may be taken into consideration during the candidate s evaluation, according to the requirements of each Department. B.2. Applications Candidates have to send in an application form to the Head of the Department where they wish to be trained. The application can be submitted anytime throughout the academic year. In the application form candidates must report the scientific subject in which they wish to be trained, the duration of their training, and the training commencement date. The scientific subject may concur with the Department s scientific field, but it may also concern only a part of its field. The application form must be accompanied by the following documents. The first five are mandatory. i. curriculum vitae (reporting all the undergraduate and postgraduate scientific activities of the candidate), ii. copies of their academic titles (degree of Veterinary School or Faculty, any other degree of University or Technological Institution, master degree), iii. copy of the legitimate equivalent of their degree to the corresponding Greek degrees according to the provisions of the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (only for the non-eu graduates), iv. certificate of transcript, v. a legal statement in which the candidate declares having no insurance or financial demands from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly, vi. degrees of foreign languages, vii. documents that prove previous working experience in civil or private sector, viii. copies of publications and announcements, ix. certificates of participation in scientific meetings, courses, seminars, scientific research or previous postgraduate training, x. reference letters. B.3. Selection of candidates The academic staff of each Department is the sole responsible for the selection of the candidates. The selection is performed during a meeting that is called by the Head of the Department, and is held within 10 days from the submission of a relevant proposal. During the 10 days period the proposal and the documents of the candidates are available to the members of the academic staff. The proposal is composed by the Head or a member of the academic staff of the Department within 10 days from the day of the applications reception. The author of the proposal takes into consideration all the submitted documents, and if necessary, may call the candidates for an interview or a foreign language test or any other examination (such as scientific knowledge or skills). The author proposes a specific training period according to each candidate s preference and the Department s requirements and capabilities. During the meeting of the academic staff the proposal is read and discussed and although candidates are not present they can submit a note that will be read and taken into consideration. In the sequel a roll call vote is held under the responsibility of the Head of the Department. The candidates must be voted by the majority of the present
academic staff. In case of a tie between candidates, and inability to admit all of them, drawing lots make the final choice. The Head of the Department sends the application forms and the documents of the candidates, together with the proposal and the meeting s final decision to the chairman of the General Assembly within 5 days. During the meeting of the General Assembly the Dean informs the members of the General Assembly for the candidate s selection, and the selection is validated. The postgraduate training program can start as soon as the selection of the candidates is completed. With the beginning of the training a copy of this regulation is given to the postgraduate trainees. B.4. Number of postgraduate trainees The maximum number of postgraduate trainees in every Department can be double of the serving academic staff, plus one. This number can only be exceeded by decision of the General Assembly, at the reasonable request of the Head of the relevant Department. C. TRAINING C.1. Registration of the trainees After the validation of selection, the postgraduate trainees are registered by the secretariat. The latter can provide the trainees with certifications of their current program for any lawful use, in consultation with the Head of the relevant Department. C.2. Supervision of the trainees Supervision of the trainees is assigned to a member of the academic staff of the relevant Department. Exceptionally, supervision may be assigned to an adjunct lecturer of the relevant Department. Each member of the academic staff can supervise three trainees. After the completion of the training program, the supervisor redacts a brief report. C.3. Commencement, duration and extension of the training program The training program commences immediately after the selection of the candidates or during the following six months. The duration of the training program is 12 months. However, under certain circumstances determined by each Department, and each trainee, the training period may vary from 1 to 24 months. An indicative but not restrictive example of short-term program is the training of non-veterinarians on specific techniques, for a period of time which is determined by each Department and is considered sufficient for the learning of each technique. During the last month of the training program and at least 10 days before its expiration, the trainee may request from the Head of the Department for a six-month extension. Trainees can request extension for three times in total. In any case, the total duration of their training can not exceed 24 months. Applications for extension are examined following the same procedure as for the selection of candidates (section
B.3), but without a proposal. If the application for extension is approved, the Head of the Department informs in writing the General Assembly, which in turn validates the decision. C.4. Suspension of the training program The training is consecutive. However, on request of the trainee, the Head of the Department may suspend the training, but not for more than six months. The General Assembly must be also informed. C.5. Early termination of the training program Trainees can apply for early termination of the training program to the Head of the Department, also notifying the General Assembly. Expulsion of a trainee can be done after submission of a reasoned proposal from a member of the Department s academic staff to the Head of the Department or from the Head to the General Assembly. In both cases, the procedure is the same as the one applied for the selection of candidates (section B.3). Once the proposal for expulsion is accepted the Head of the Department notifies in writing the General Assembly, in order to validate the decision. C.6. Presence and absence permits of the trainees The daily presence of trainees in the Department is obligatory and must consort with the timetable of the Department, including week ends and holidays. Trainees are allowed absence permits for up to 2 working days each month. Under certain circumstances, the Head of the Department may approve a longer absence period, but this cannot exceed twice the number of remaining training months. The additional days of absence shall be deducted from the next working months. Trainees are entitled a 15-day absence from July 15 to August 31 and a 5-day absence during Christmas and Easter holidays. Additionally, they are entitled up to 5 days of absence for attendance of a scientific meeting, but they are not allowed further absence permit during the same month. Absence permits must be requested from the Head of the Department at least 10 days earlier. However, he may reduce the number of days, delay, or refuse its approval, regardless of whether it was requested on time, based on requirements of the Department. On the contrary, the Head of the Department cannot reduce, delay or deny any absence permits for attending a scientific meeting, as long as it was requested one month earlier, or absence permits for health issues or serious family reasons. C.7. Participation in the activities of the Department Participation of the trainees in the activities of the Department is mandatory, since this constitutes the fundamental part of their training. At the completion of the training program, they must be aware of the organisation and functioning of the Department in which they were trained. For example, they must be capable of selecting suitable scientific equipment, organizing storage of medical supplies, operating, controlling and maintaining various devices, providing clinical or laboratory services, completing animal examination records, organizing record files
etc. All of the above examples are indicative but not restrictive or binding. The participation and the responsibilities of the trainees are determined by the Head of the Department and may diverge among Departments since they are adjusted depending on their needs. C.8. Management and processing of clinical cases or laboratory procedures Trainees undertake clinical cases or participate in laboratory procedures in the Department where they are trained. During the first two months of training they act solely under the supervision of a member of the academic staff. After this period, they may operate independently and be entrusted with clinical cases or laboratory procedures in part or in whole, provided that this has been officially assigned by the Head of the Department. For such an assignment their supervisor submits a proposal and the procedure applied is the same as the one followed for the selection of candidates (section B.3). The names of the trainees should be mentioned in every record of the clinical cases or the laboratory procedures in which they are involved. C.9. Duty on call Trainees may attend on call duties, which are designated by the Head or a member of the academic staff, according to the requirements of the Department. The voluntary participation of the trainees in other than the predefined on call duties is not allowed since physical fatigue could cause errors or accidents. On call duties in a non working day are not considered to replace absence permits. C.10. Participation in tutorials Trainees can participate in tutorials organized by the Department. These tutorials may have the same content as for undergraduate students, may be different, or may be a combination of the above. C.11. Attendance of lectures Trainees may attend lectures organized by the Department. Moreover, they can attend lectures addressed to undergraduate students, which are relevant to their training program, as long as this does not interfere with their every day obligations and training. C.12. Attendance of scientific meetings Attendance of national or international scientific meetings by the trainees, with or without making an announcement, is recommended but not mandatory. Trainees are entitled up to 5 days of absence permits to prepare a short communication and participate in scientific meetings. The cost of transportation, registration, or hotel booking charges the trainee. C.13. Writing scientific articles
Trainees are encouraged to write review, or research papers, or case reports, and to participate in original research in collaboration with member/s of the academic staff of the Department where they are trained, as long as this does not interfere with their every day obligations and training. C.14. Participation in the training of undergraduate students Postgraduate trainees are by no means regarded as teaching staff and they can not substitute the members of the academic staff of the Department. However, after completion of a six-months training period they could assist in the clinical or laboratory educational work of the teaching staff. C.15. Employment and/or participation of the trainees in other activities During the training period, trainees may work in private practice or public sector, provided that this does not interfere with their training and is consistent with provisions referred in section C.6. They can also participate in research projects or other research activities of the Department where they are trained, as long as this does not interfere with their every day obligations and training. C.16. Usage of library and computer s islet Trainees are encouraged to search, critically evaluate and apply current scientific knowledge, and also to be updated on developments concerning the scientific field of their training program, by attending the contemporary literature. In order to achieve this, trainees are entitled to borrow books from the library of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, they have access to the collection of books and journals of the library of the Department, as well as to computer s islet of the Faculty, in accordance with the relevant regulations. C.17. Complaints from trainees Trainees that have complaints concerning their training program should apply orally to the Head of the Department, who should make efforts to resolve any existing problem. In case the Head refuses or is unable to resolve the problem within a reasonable time, the trainee should address his/her complaints again, but now in writing, to the Head. In this case the complaints are discussed by the Head and the members of the academic staff of the Department during a meeting, and they decide on the possible response (oral or written) and it s content. If 15 days after the submitted written complaints a trainee does not receive a response he/she may address his/her complaints to the General Assembly. C.18. Completion of the training program and submission of the final report Within 10 days of completion of the training program the supervisor should redact a brief report of the trainee s progress during the training period and graduate the performance of the trainee as excellent good, moderate or bad. However, the definitive graduation of the performance of the trainee is discussed during a meeting
of the members of the academic staff of the Department. The final report and the minutes of the meeting are forwarded to the General Assembly for validation. D. CERTIFICATION After successful completion of the training program, the Faculty provides a certificate to the postgraduate student with details regarding: the commencement and completion date, and the duration of the training, its subject area, the Department where it was carried out and the evaluation of the trainee. The aforementioned certificate is signed by the Head of the Department affording the program, the Dean and the Secretary of the Faculty. Additionally, if requested by the trainee, an affirmation can be provided by the Head of the Department, providing specific details concerning his/her training program. The authenticity of the signature of the Head of the Department is confirmed by the Secretary of the Faculty. Trainees expelled before completing a six-months training program are not considered qualified and a certificate is not be provided. However, an affirmation may be administered by the Head of the Department. The postgraduate clinical or laboratory training program in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine does not provide any proofs in order to exercise the veterinary profession in Greece or other countries of the European Union. E. AVAILABILITY AND AMENDMENTS OF THE PRESENT REGULATION E.1. Availability of the regulation Copies of the present regulation are available to the academic staff of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Thessaly and to every person interested in attending the postgraduate clinical or laboratory training program. E.2. Amendment of the regulation The present regulation can be amended by the General Assembly of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. In order to bring forward changes in any provision of the regulation, a proposal must be signed up by one-third of the members of the General Assembly or by one-third of the members of the academic staff of the Departments where training programs are taking place at a given time. Proposals are initially studied and discussed by a designated committee before they are forwarded for discussion in the General Assembly. Amendments can be carried out only when the relative majority of the General Assembly supports the proposal. F. TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS The present regulation takes effect after its approval by the General Assembly. Postgraduate training programs that are already in progress should be aligned with the former until their completion. Postgraduate training programs which have been completed in any Department before the approval of the present regulation can be validated by the General Assembly, provided that the Head of the Department suggests their integration. Under
these circumstances postgraduate trainees enjoy all the privileges of Chapter D of the present regulation. Within two months after the approval of the present regulation, the Dean of the Faculty ensures that the formal selection process and registration of the already existing postgraduate trainees is undertaken. Additionally, a supervisor is designated to every trainee. Within one month after the approval of the present regulation, the Head of each Department which has exceeded the maximum number of trainees is obliged to submit to the Dean a documented request for continuation of the training of all the trainees. The request will be discussed and resolved from the General Assembly. Alternatively, the Head may proceed to re-evaluation and selection of the trainees as if they were candidates in order to decrease their number. If a trainee is not reselected, his/her training program is suspended, but is permitted to continue as soon as a vacancy appears, and in this case he/she takes precedence over other candidates. Postgraduate trainees that are also PhD candidates in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine should choose between the training program or the PhD program.