We’re delighted to announce an important development for vets considering our PgCert in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery.
The CPD Solutions Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery has now been approved as an eligible postgraduate qualification for veterinary surgeons applying for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery.
This gives vets who want to develop their soft tissue surgical skills a clear route to combine highly practical postgraduate training with progression towards Advanced Practitioner recognition.
One PgCert. Two pathways.
Our PgCert in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery remains the same highly practical 12-month programme, validated by the University of Lancashire.
Students complete nine full days of hands-on practical surgery training at our Training Centre, alongside online learning and work-based development in their own practice.
There are now two pathways available.
Core PgCert Pathway
The core Pathway is designed for vets who want to develop their soft tissue surgery skills, clinical reasoning and confidence while gaining a university-validated Level 7 postgraduate qualification.
Assessment is based around work-based learning, case experience and reflective practice, with no formal final examination.
PgCert Synoptic Pathway
Vets who would like their qualification to support a future application for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status can choose the Synoptic Pathway.
Students complete the same PgCert programme, followed by an additional synoptic assessment.
Successful completion of the Synoptic Pathway means the qualification can be used as an eligible postgraduate qualification when applying to the RCVS for Advanced Practitioner status in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery.
Practical skills you can use immediately in your practice
Our PgCert in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery was developed for vets who want to become more confident soft tissue surgeons without completing an orthopaedic component.
Across the programme, you’ll develop your approach to procedures involving abdominal, perineal, urogenital, head and neck and thoracic surgery, with extensive hands-on training supported by experienced tutors.
But a PgCert is about more than learning new procedures.
As a Level 7 postgraduate programme, it also helps you develop your clinical reasoning, critical reflection and ability to evaluate evidence and make confident decisions in more challenging cases.
The aim is to develop skills that are both clinically useful now and professionally relevant for the future.
Does completing the Synoptic Pathway automatically make me an Advanced Practitioner?
No.
Advanced Practitioner status is awarded separately by the RCVS.
Completing the approved Synoptic Pathway means you hold an eligible postgraduate qualification that can form part of your application. You will also need to meet the wider RCVS requirements for Advanced Practitioner status.
Is the Synoptic Pathway right for me?
That depends on your longer-term goals.
If your priority is to develop your surgical skills, increase your confidence and gain a postgraduate qualification, you can choose the core PgCert Pathway.
If you would also like to work towards RCVS Advanced Practitioner status in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery, the Synoptic Pathway gives you an approved postgraduate qualification for that route.
Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll complete the same highly practical PgCert programme and develop skills that you can start applying to your clinical caseload throughout the 12 months.
The next PgCert in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery starts in March 2027.
If you’d like to find out more about the programme or talk through which pathway would be right for you, contact our PgCert team or download the programme brochure.
Find full details of this 12 month practical PgCert Programme in Soft Tissue Surgery here:-
