Introduction to veterinary technology

what is a a veterinary technician

highly skilled professional who works alongside licensed veterinarians

What does VMD stand for

Veterinary medicine doctor

What does DVM stand for

Doctor of Veterinary medicine

Who is Dr. Walter Collins

The doctor who came up with “Animal Health Technicians” in 1960 also known now as Veterinary Technicians

When did Veterinary Technicians become a thing

1989

Delegation of tasks

assigning specific responsibilitie’s to team members based on their skills and competencies

what is a paraprofessional

provides supportive care to animals treated in within a veterinary facility

Must haves of a veterinary technician

Math, science, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, compassion, strong sense of self, work with a wide variety of species in many different situations

Where does accreditation come from

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Committee of Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)

What does the education involve.

AVMA/CVTEA, 11 essential standards, 2-year degree- Technician, 4-year degree- Technologist

What are the 11 essential standards

Institutional accreditation, finances, organization and communications, physical facilities and equipment, resources for clinical instruction, library and informational resources, admissions, students, faculty and staff, curriculum, outcome assessment

After graduation what occurs

VTNE, state licensure, CE required

What are you tested for on the VTNE

Pharmacy and pharmacology, surgical nursing, dentistry, lab procedures, animal care and nursing, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, emergency medicine/critical care, pain management/analgesia , communication and veterinary professional support services

What is the practice act

A piece of legislation enacted by a state or national government that outlines the authority, responsibilities and boundaries of a profession. To protect the public

What does LVT stand for

Licensed Veterinary Technician

What does CVT

Certified Veterinary Technician

What does RVT stand for

Registered Veterinary Technician

What are the violations when licensed

Loss of license, fines, other penalties

what are the violations when unlicensed

monetary fines, criminal activity, animal cruelty- additional criminal penalties

What does professionalism involve

Appearance, conduct (in and outside clinic), communication

Thou Shalt not

Diagnose/prognose, prescribe, perform surgery

Veterinary Technician model includes

Gathering data, ID and prioritize patient evaluations, develop and implement a patient care plan, evaluate patients response, gather more data, reevaluate and got to step 1

What involves gathering data

Initial datebase, subjective (nonmeasurable), objective (measurable)

what involves ID and prioritize patient evaluation

Use reasoning, One of 3 categories: physical/physiological, risk of potential problems, owner issues

what involves developing a plan of care

critical thinking, technician interventions, crafted to address evaluations

what involves evaluation of patient response

evaluate ,adjust as needed