Application for Students to visit for EMS Placement Vets in Orkney

We are a mixed practice with large animal work accounting for about 70% of our work during peak seasons. The main surgery is in Kirkwall and most of the vets are based here and where you will be based during your placement with us. This is where most small animal consultations and all operations take place. We have a branch surgery in Stromness, about 15 miles from Kirkwall, where we do small animal consultations 3 afternoons per week. There is another branch surgery in Harray, about 13 miles from Kirkwall, where farm animal vets are sometimes based when working throughout the day on farms in the area. There is a post-mortem room in Harray as well as equine stocks.


Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm and Saturday, 8:30am-5pm. We expect students to work 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, unless other arrangements have been made. There is the possibility of gaining additional experience by joining the vet on call where appropriate, you will have the opportunity to request this in your application.


The Orkney islands are located 10 miles north of Caithness on the very north coast of mainland Scotland. Loganair operate several flights to Kirkwall daily from Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, fares are cheaper if booked well in advance. Northlink ferries run from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and from Scrabster near Thurso to Stromness and Pentland ferries run from Gills Bay in Caithness to St. Margarets Hope.

Loganair - https://www.loganair.co.uk/

Northlink ferries - https:/www.northlinkferries.co.uk/

Pentland ferries - https://pentlandferries.co.uk/


Unfortunately, we are not able to offer accommodation to students, however most students stay in the Peedie Hostel which is a 5-minute walk from the practice and just a short walk from the supermarkets and town centre. Their phone number is 01856 875477. Students have also stayed in the Orcades Hostel which is a 10-minute walk from the practice and a short walk from the supermarkets and town centre. Their phone number is 01856 873745, www.orcadeshostel.com.


There is lots of information about Orkney on the visit Orkney website - https://www.orkney.com/
I would advise you to investigate the costs of accommodation and travel prior to submitting your placement application as these can be quite expensive especially during peak tourist season in the summer months.

Introduction
Every employer has legal obligation to assess risk within the workplace. Where possible any risk should be eliminated and if this is not possible the risk should be minimised and protective equipment or clothing provided if appropriate. Obviously within veterinary practice we are handling live, often sick animals which can be very unpredictable. Although every effort has been made to eliminate risk, some will remain to those near our patients.


Animal Handling
Our patients can bite, scratch and kick! Even the most placid animal may show aggression when anxious or in pain. Students should not handle, approach or pet any animal unless specifically asked to do so by a vet or nurse. When attending cattle or horses they should always stand well back to avoid risk of injury until the vet has assess the situation and deems it safe to carry out the necessary task.


Disease Risks
Many of our patients are sick and some of the causes can be due to infectious agents which can be transmissible to humans. No attempt should be made to clean soiled areas unless asked to do so by a vet or nurse who will have assessed the risk and provided protective clothing if appropriate.
After any session working with animals, each student should remember to wash his / her hands. Particular attention to cleanliness should be taken prior to eating or drinking. If at any time you should be scratched, bitten or become contaminated in any way, you should inform the vet or nurse immediately.


Drugs and Chemicals
A wide range of potentially dangerous substances will be found in any veterinary practice. None of these should be handled unless specifically instructed to do so by a vet or nurse. It is absolutely forbidden for anyone to take any drug for their own or anyone else’s use.
Should any student feel that they are in a position of imminent danger they should urgently bring it to the attention of the vet or nurse.


Confidentiality
Whilst in the surgery there is a possibility that students will see clients’ personal data on computer screens / printed forms etc. All information relating to clients and staff members is confidential and no information or stories about animals should be shared either verbally or via mobile phones etc. Whilst in the practice mobile phones should not be used unless in the case of emergency.


Appearance and Timekeeping
All students should wear clean, smart clothes and bring clean waterproof and wellies with them. Shoes should be clean and have a closed toe and be suitable to wear for small animal consults and in the theatre. Long hair should be tied back and nails short and clean.

I confirm the above information is all correct and I have read and understood all the above information regarding Northvet and their Health and Safety policies pertaining to students on EMS Placements.