In addition to all LMU required behavior, the LMU-OPCVM firmly believes that as a part of the veterinary profession and as a professional veterinary education program we must hold ourselves to a high standard to practice our core values. Desirable characteristics of veterinary professional students are based not only on academic achievement, but also on non-academic factors that serve to ensure that students have the behavioral and social attributes necessary to contribute positively to the veterinary profession. LMU-OPCVM students possess the necessary character traits, attitudes, and values that will result in beneficent and ethical veterinary care. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- An OPCVM student must never perform any action that might be construed as the practice of veterinary medicine, except as permitted under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction in which the student may function in the role of providing animal health care under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. It is the OPCVM student’s responsibility to know and understand the applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine.
- An OPCVM student must be able to relate to instructors, classmates, staff, clients and their animals with honesty, compassion, empathy, integrity, and dedication.
- An OPCVM student must not allow considerations of religion, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, politics, or social standing to preclude productive and constructive relationships with instructors, staff, classmates, or clients.
- An OPCVM student must not allow considerations of breed or species to influence relationships with his/her patients or teaching animals. For example, a student must never intentionally withhold medical care from a feline patient out of a dislike or distrust of cats.
- An OPCVM student must be able to understand and use the authority, special privileges, and trust inherent in the OPCVM student-client relationship for the benefit of both the client and the patient and avoid behaviors that constitute misuse of this power.
- An OPCVM student must never compromise care of an animal that has been left in his or her care or is his or her responsibility, regardless of whether this care conflicts with personal schedules or activities.
- An OPCVM student must be able to fully utilize his/her intellectual ability, to exercise good judgment, to complete patient care responsibilities promptly and properly and to relate to patients, patients’ owners, faculty, administrators, staff and colleagues with courtesy, compassion, maturity, and respect for their dignity.
- An OPCVM student must demonstrate maturity, including the ability to adapt to local culture, the ability to exercise good judgment and tolerance and acceptance of social, cultural and/or political differences.
- An OPCVM student must be able to work collaboratively and flexibly as a professional team member.
- An OPCVM student must behave in a professional manner despite stressful work demands, changing environments and/or clinical uncertainties.
- An OPCVM student must have the capacity to modify behavior in response to constructive criticism.
- An OPCVM student must be open to examining personal attitudes, perceptions and stereotypes that may negatively impact patient care or interpersonal relationships.
- An OPCVM student must possess an intrinsic desire for excellence and be motivated to become an effective veterinarian.
- Because the medical profession is governed by ethical principles and bylaws, an OPCVM student must have the capacity to understand, learn, and abide by relevant and applicable values and laws. Examples of breaches of veterinary medical ethics include, but are not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty; submitting fraudulent medical records or certificates; willfully withholding medical treatments ordered by a clinician; betraying a client’s confidence; or animal cruelty, whether through acts of commission or omission.