New Hire Training
Training is emphasized throughout a career with FSIS. All newly hired field veterinarians who are assigned to slaughter and processing establishments receive 10 weeks of a public health focused veterinary educational program.
Training is emphasized throughout a career with FSIS. All newly hired field veterinarians who are assigned to slaughter and processing establishments receive 10 weeks of a public health focused veterinary educational program. The Center for Learning (CFL) and the Office of Field Operations (OFO) will jointly conduct these classroom training and on-the-job mentoring programs. Courses include:
- Essentials of a Public Health Regulatory Agency
- FSIS Regulations and Acts
- Ethics
- Food Security
- Multi-Species Post-Mortem Dispositions
- Occupational Safety Considerations
- Food Microbiology
- Humane Handling and Slaughter
Mentoring will continue throughout the first probationary year of employment with FSIS. This training and mentoring combination will provide the new hire a strong foundation in the art and science of practicing public health assurance in FSIS by integrating scientific and technical principles. The trainees will obtain certification through a series of validated competency examinations and on-the-job evaluations. The certification will be a condition of employment. For more information view the FSIS Veterinary New Hire Curriculum.
If you fail to successfully complete the training, you will be terminated from Federal employment. If you are not a new hire to FSIS and have moved into a Public Health Veterinarian position from another type of position in FSIS, you will either:
- be removed from Federal service;
- returned to your former position (depending on availability and the needs of the Agency); or
- if qualified, be offered another position at the same or lower grade than the position held immediately before accepting the covered position.
On-the-Job Training. This position does have on-the-job training for Public Health Veterinarians new to FSIS that may include knife skills training and covering a Food Inspector (FI) position (performing FI position functions intermittently for breaks, etc.)
Additional Training Programs
- The FSIS Veterinary Student Employment Program allows veterinary students to participate and explore a career within FSIS while attending veterinary school. Veterinary students may also gain valuable Public Health Service and USDA experience by participating in the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP).
- Many veterinary courses are offered by the FSIS Center for Learning either on site at Texas A&M University or by its web based Food Safety Virtual University.
- With the possibility of the introduction of a foreign animal disease in this country, natural or intentional, FSIS veterinarians become the first lines of defense. The agency takes this mission seriously and conducts training either in house or at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Plum Island facility (PDF Only).
- FSIS encourages veterinarians to apply for post doctorate education and to obtain board certification in a recognized AVMA specialty. The Agency has participated in a post-doctorate programwith the Center for Disease Control Epidemic Intelligence Service Program (EIS). The EIS program provides the Agency trained individuals in epidemiological investigations, research, and public health surveillance.
- In addition to professional training, the Agency also provides instruction in technical/managerial courses assuring the veterinarian meets the competency requirement of many positions at the FSIS senior executive level. The FSIS Leadership Competence Development Resource Guide provides a list of the courses offered.