Staff Training Due to the lack of accredited clinical vascular scientists nationally, IVS Ltd recruits up to four new trainee members of staff a year. All new trainees undertake a postgraduate certificate in medical ultrasound and are appointed a senior member of staff as a mentor during their three year training period, at the end of which they hope to achieve accreditation from the Society for Vascular Technology of Great Britain and Ireland (SVTGBI). As well as university, trainees attend study and revision days organised by the SVTGBI and where possible the annual general meeting of the SVTGBI held in conjunction with the Vascular Surgical Society. In response to feedback from staff, IVS Ltd has recently organised a regular in house training forum for all trainees to attend. This meeting is held once a month and is an opportunity to resolve training issues, discuss scanning problems and for trainees to present recent interesting case studies to their peers. Although still a new development, general feedback from new trainees is that the sessions are proving invaluable in helping meet ever higher standards of clinical excellence. Author: Tracey Gall Article published: 15/11/2011