VIEW is the first workforce-informed competency framework for veterinary diagnostic imaging. It defines the core competencies diagnostic imaging specialists should be able to demonstrate in practice.
Developed through a rigorous, three-phase modified Delphi process, VIEW identifies 30 core competencies across six domains, creating a shared foundation for competency-based education, assessment, and professional development in veterinary diagnostic imaging.
The framework provides a clearer definition of the abilities expected for specialty-level practice, complementing traditional residency requirements based on time, case volume, and experience.
The research was published open access in Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound on September 16, 2026.
Built by the veterinary community
VIEW was developed over 14 months through collaboration among veterinary specialists, educators, residents, and clinical learning and development professionals.
The framework was initially developed by six board-certified veterinary diagnostic imaging specialists and one board-certified emergency and critical care specialist, then refined through feedback from 80 diplomates and diagnostic imaging residents from the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI).
Contributors brought perspectives from academic veterinary medicine, private practice, teleradiology, residency education, and clinical learning and development.
Authors include:
- Julie A. Noyes, DVM, PhD, MA, MS
- Jennifer Brisson, DVM, DACVR
- Gareth Buckley, MA, VetMB, DACVECC, DECVECC
- Laura Hammond, DVM, DACVR
- Timothy J. Manzi, VMD, DACVR, DACVR-EDI
- Rachel Pollard, DVM, PhD, DACVR
- Jaime Sage, DVM, MS, DACVR
- Kenneth Waller III, DVM, MS, DACVR
- Patrick Welch, DVM, MBA, DACVO
Created for the profession
VIEW was developed with Ethos expertise and broad input from the veterinary diagnostic imaging community. As NVA’s specialty and emergency network, Ethos brings together expertise across veterinary medicine, and we believe that knowledge has the greatest impact when it is shared broadly. With that as our guide, VIEW isn’t just for Ethos.
The framework is openly available to help residency programs, educators, specialists, and veterinary organizations advance competency-based education, assessment, and professional development across the field.
Within Ethos, VIEW is informing the design of learning and assessment in diagnostic imaging and builds on our broader work developing competency frameworks across veterinary roles, including ASCEND and ER Immerse. Published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license, the framework is openly available to support competency-based education and professional development across the profession.
Sharing knowledge and building better ways to develop veterinary professionals is part of our commitment to revolutionize veterinary medicine.
Read the research
A Workforce-Informed Competency Framework Defines 30 Core Abilities of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Specialists
Published in Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound
Interested in competency-based education and workforce development?
We welcome collaboration with educators, specialty organizations, training programs, and veterinary organizations interested in advancing competency-based approaches across the profession.
Patrick Welch, DVM, MBA, DACVO
Chief Learning & Innovation Officer
[email protected]