Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Veterinary technician

 
Wikipedia: Veterinary technician
 
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008)
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.

A veterinary technician or veterinary technologist, (also called an animal health technician/technologist), is a person trained to assist veterinarians.

Veterinary technician logo.
 An email containing details of the permission for this text has been sent in accordance with WP:OTRS.

Note to uploaders: Please copy the URL of this image or article in the email to assist OTRS volunteers to find it. If an email cannot be found in the OTRS system, the content may be deleted for lack of valid licensing information.

Note to OTRS volunteers: If the email contains sufficient confirmation of the validity of the license, please replace this template with {{PermissionOTRS|ticket=URL}} . Otherwise, remove the copyrighted content, deleting the page if necessary.

Contents

Job description

Common tasks performed by a veterinary technician include: taking histories, taking blood providing treatment to routine problems, and giving counseling to clients. Technical skills include: venipuncture; collecting urine; performing skin scrapings; taking and processing radiographs; and performing routine lab procedures and tests in: hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology. They assist the veterinarian with physical examinations that help determine the nature of the illness or injury. Veterinary technicians also perform and maintain anesthesia, and administer medications, fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian. Tasks in patient care include: recording temperature, pulse and respiration, dressing wounds, applying splints and other protective devices, and cleaning teeth. They perform catheterizations - urinary, arterial, and venous; ear flushes; intravenous feedings and tube feedings. Equipment use includes operating electrocardiographic, radiographic and ultrasonographic equipment. Veterinary technicians commonly assist veterinarians in surgery by providing correct equipment and instruments and by assuring that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, scopes and breathing apparatus are in good working condition. They may also maintain treatment records and inventory of all pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies, and help with other administrative tasks within a veterinary practice.

Education & Credentialing

The education a credentialed technician receives is in depth and crucial for medical understanding and to give proper health care. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) are responsible for accrediting schools with either Associate's degrees or Bachelor's degrees, though in some states/provinces this is not necessary. The AVMA also accredits schools that offer distance education. As a requirement of AVMA-accreditation, all distance learning programs require a significant amount of practical clinical experience before the student will be allowed to graduate. Clinical experience is usually obtained by employment or volunteer hours at an animal clinic. Preceptors must be a veterinarian or a credentialed vet technician and are required to instruct and sign off on clinical tasks, and then submit the records to the school for approval; some tasks must be videotaped and submitted to the school for grading. States award varying post-nominal letters to denote credentialing of technicians. Some call them Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), some, Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), some, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), and still others Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT). The term Animal Health Technician (AHT) is still used in some provinces of Canada and was once commonly used in the United States before giving way to the current moniker of veterinary technician. As with VT's there are (or have been) RAHT's, LAHT's, and CAHT's. Graduates of any AVMA or CVMA-accredited program ( and some non-accredited) may take a national certification exam, the Veterinary Technician National Exam or VTNE. In some states, a state exam and/or references are required as well and, upon passing, the individual becomes certified/registered/licensed in that state or province. The technician is then subject to the regulations of the state Veterinary Medical Practice Act of the state she or he works in.

Sister project Look up veterinary technician in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

In most anglophonic countries outside North America veterinary technicians are known as Veterinary Nurses (VNs). The American Nursing Association and some state nursing associations have claimed proprietary rights to the term "nurse" thus it is not used as a credential for veterinary personnel in North America. While this claim has been debated ad nauseam there is no case law to date supporting this claim. Some veterinary technicians argue that even though their scope of responsibility is broader than that of nurses (filling the roles of nurse, radiology technician, laboratory technician, pharmacy technician, etc.) they still spend approximately 90% of their time performing nursing tasks and should therefore be allowed to be called Veterinary Nurses like their counterparts outside North America. Unofficially in conversation with veterinary clientele veterinary technicians are often referred to as veterinary nurses simply because it is the most succint, albeit incomplete, description that the clientele can relate to. What is now the British Veterinary Nursing Association faced similar opposition early on from the nursing community in their country.[1]

To become a veterinary technician, you must attend a 2-year or 3-year AVMA or CVMA-accredited school, most of which terminate in the awarding of an associate's degree in veterinary technology (those enduring a 4-year AVMA or CVMA accredited school terminating in the awarding of a bachelor's degree are considered veterinary technologists though the distinction is rarely made an issue)[2], in some states, pass a state board exam (some states allow on the job training, usually five years, to substitute for a degree then require sitting for the VTNE whereas some states like Nevada have an alternate program which is 9 months long, but the student must have a minimum of 4,000 hours in the field). Though rare and competitive there exists, in some large multi-specialty practices, one-year rotational internships available to veterinary technology students upon graduation. Non-credentialed personnel who perform similar tasks to veterinary technicians are usually referred to as veterinary assistants though the term technician is often used generously. Vet Assistants cannot legally perform as many procedures as a technician and typically have less formal training. In larger facilities with tiered hierarchies veterinary assistants typically assist veterinary technicians in their duties. Laws differ greatly from state to state. Contact your state's Veterinary Medical Board to find out what laws bind Veterinary Technicians in your state. Veterinary technician's interests are represented nationally in the United States and Canada by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA--formerly the North American Veterinary Technician Association) and the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technicians (CAAHT) respectively.

Specialty certification

Beyond credentialing as a veterinary technician specialty certification is also available to technicians with advanced skills. To date there are specialty recognitions in: emergency & critical care, anesthesiology, dentistry, small animal internal medicine, large animal internal medicine, cardiology, oncology, and behavior. Veterinary Technician Specialists carry the additional post-nominal letters "VTS" with their particular specialties indicated in parentheses. As veterinary technology evolves more specialty academy recognitions are anticipated.

Global presence

Veterinary technology as an organized and credentialed career option is relatively young only existing since the mid 20th century and as such is still struggling for recognition in many parts of the world. Attempts at professional solidarity resulted in the creation of the International Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association (IVNTA) in 1993. Its members currently include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States[3] .

Australia

Veterinary nurses in Australia have a two tier hierarchy consisting of Qualified Veterinary Nurses who hold a Certificate IV in veterinary nursing and Diplomaed Veterinary Nurses who hold a diploma in veterinary nursing. Diplomaed Veterinary Nurses may apply for further training in a specific field to receive "Extended" qualifications[4] . Veterinary nurses exhibiting excellence in their field may be recognised jointly by the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) with the post-nominal letters AVN (Accredited Veterinary Nurse)[5] .

Finland

Veterinary nurses in Finland are represented by Klinikkaeläinhoitajat ry (Finnish Veterinary Nurses Association).

France

Veterinary support personnel in France consists of Auxiliaire Vétérinaire Qualifiée (AVQ), [formerly known as Auxiliaire Vétérinaire (AV)], and Auxiliaire Spécialisée Vétérinaire (ASV). The former's job description is similar to that of the veterinary assistant in North America and is achieved with one year of formal training while the latter's job description is similar to veterinary technicians in North America and is achieved with two years of formal training[6][7][8] .

Ghana

Veterinary medical technicians in Ghana are represented by the Ghana Veterinary Medical Technicians Association (VEMTAG).

Ireland

Veterinary nurses in Ireland are represented by the Irish Veterinary Nursing Association (IVNA) since 2002 and prior to this were represented by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) from the 1960's. Veterinary nursing became a regulated profession in the State from January 2008 under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The title ‘veterinary nurse’ can only be used by those registered with the Veterinary Council. Post-nominal letters used in Ireland are RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse). A provisional register was created for the purpose of allowing experienced staff working in veterinary practices the opportunity to achieve formal education and qualification. Provisional registration confers the same rights and responsibilities as those on the Register enjoy except that those with provisional registration must have reached the standard required for entry to the Register by the 31 December 2012. Therefore, from January 2008 no individual can legally perform veterinary nursing duties unless listed on the Register or is currently undertaking a course of formal education approved by the Veterinary Council (Ann Marie Byrne, RVN, IVNA Chairperson, 10 mar 2009). To date, there are three programmes of study which qualify one to become a veterinary nurse in Ireland, each being sanctioned by the Veterinary Council of Ireland: the 2-year diploma course at St. John's College in Cork, the 3-year ordinary Bachelor of Science degree in Athlone I.T. and the 4-year higher (honours level) Bachelor of Science degree at University College Dublin.

Japan

Veterinary technicians & nurses in Japan are represented by the Japan Veterinary Nurses & Technicians Association (JVNTA).

New Zealand

Veterinary nursing in New Zealand is represented by the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) which is subject to the Animal Nursing and Technology Board (ANTECH) of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA)[9] . Veterinary nurses hold either a National Certificate or Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. The National Certificate represents one year of formal training while the National Diploma represents an additional two years with the National Certificate or its equivalent as a prerequisite. There are thirteen providers of veterinary nursing education in New Zealand, eight of which award the National Certificates (others offer their own local courses)[10][11][12] . Other available entry-level certificates include the National Certificate in Animal Care[13] and the Certificate in Rural Animal Technology[14] . Veterinary nurses in New Zealand are not currently required to be registered with the government but an accreditation scheme is being explored[15] . New Zealand veterinary nurses adopted a national work uniform in 2004 but its wear is optional[16] .

Norway

Veterinary nurses/technicians in Norway are known as "Dyrepleier" and they along with veterinary assistants are represented by the Norwegian Veterinary Nurse and Assistant Association (NDAF--Norsk Dyrepleier og Assistent Forening). The Norwegian veterinary nurse/technician education is a two year university level program taught exclusively at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Prior to 2003 it was a one year program followed by one year of practical experience. Nurse/technician graduates of the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science must apply for an official authorisation issued from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) in order to use the title "Dyrepleier"[17] .

South Africa

Veterinary Nurses (VN's) in South Africa attend a two year program at the Onderstepoort campus of the University of Pretoria culminating in a diploma in veterinary nursing (DipVetNurs)[18] and unlike lay staff are trained to do everything except clinical consultations and surgery subject to the Para-Veterinary Profession's Act [19] . Qualified veterinary nurses, curiously of both genders, utilize the title of "Sister (Sr.)", similar to the practice of female charge nurses in the human medical field in many countries, representing their professional sisterhood. They can be recognised by the wearing of epaulettes bearing a lamb, representing the patients they care for; a lamp, representing knowledge; and an axe, symbolising strength (Sr. Tania Serfontein, vice-president, VNASA, February 2009). They are represented by the Veterinary Nurses Association of South Africa (VNASA) which was started in 1978 after South Africa's first class of qualified veterinary nurses graduated[20] .

Switzerland

Veterinary medical assistants in Switzerland [tiermedizinischent/in praxisassistentinnen/ assistantes en médecine vétérinaire (AMV)/assistenti medicina veterinari (AMV)] organized in 1991 in Berne and are represented by the Swiss Association of Veterinary Medical Assistants [''Vereinigung der schweizerischen tiermedizinischen Praxisassistentinnen/Association Suisse des assistantes en médecine vétérinaire/Associazione Svizzera di assistenti medicina Veterinari (VSTPA/ASAMV)][21]. The curriculum is offered in German in two or three schools and in French at a single site--Ecole Panorama in Lausanne--where students meet each Thursday starting in late August during a three year apprenticeship for lessons in theory and one day per month for practical training. This training culminates in the award of the National Certificate [Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis als gelernte/r/Certificat Fédéral de Capacité/Attestato federale di capacità (CFC)]in veterinary medical assisting[22][23].

Turkey

Veterinary technicians in Turkey are represented by Veteriner Saglik Teknisyenleri Dernegi (Association of Veterinary Technicians in Turkey).

United Kingdom

Veterinary nursing personnel in the UK consists of Animal Nursing Assistants (ANA's), who can be recognised by maroon trousers and tunic with white piping, and Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN's), who can be recognised by bottle green tunics with white piping, and are represented by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA)[24]. VN's can further their formal training with a BVNA specialist course Certificate in Dentistry and\or by achieving their Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (DipAVN) by following a course of study in one or more of three tracks: Small animal nursing, Equine nursing, and Veterinary nursing education. The DipAVN has been administered by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) through Myerscough College in Lancashire since 2007 (it was administered by the BVNA up til 2005 and offered Medical and Surgical tracks)[25][26][27]. In the UK the RCVS awards the veterinary nursing qualification and maintains a statutory list of veterinary nurses. Qualified VN's who are listed are allowed to use the post-nominal letters "RVN" (Registered Veterinary Nurse)[28]. VN's on the list are entitled by law to give animals medical treatment, and carry out certain minor surgery (under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966)[29], under veterinary direction.

Veterinary Technician Oath

"I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering, and promoting public health. I accept my obligations to practice my profession conscientiously and with sensitivity, adhering to the profession's Code of Ethics, and furthering my knowledge and competence through a commitment to lifelong learning."

See also

References

  1. ^ Badger (VN, Cert Ed, MBVNA), Sue. "The Good Old Days - Or Were They?". The British Veterinary Nursing Association Limited. http://www.bvna.org.uk/smartweb/about-us/history. Retrieved on 2009-02-05. 
  2. ^ "AVMA Policy on Veterinary Technology". American Veterinary Medical Association. http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/veterinary_technology.asp. Retrieved on 2009-02-05. 
  3. ^ "IVNTA History". International Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association. http://ivnta.org/IVNTA_history.php. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  4. ^ "Training Pathways". Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia. http://www.vnca.asn.au/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=3. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  5. ^ "The Accredited Veterinary Nurse Scheme". Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia. http://www.vnca.asn.au/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=2. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  6. ^ "C’est quoi, le GIPSA ?". Groupement d'Intérét Public Formation Santé Animale et Auxiliaire vétérinaire. http://www.gipsa.fr/index.php. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  7. ^ "Auxiliaire Vétérinaire". Organisme Paritaire Collecteur Agréé des Professions Libérales. http://www.opcapl.com/jeunes/iso_album/auxiliaire_veterinaire.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  8. ^ "Auxiliaire Spécialisée Vétérinaire". Organisme Paritaire Collecteur Agréé des Professions Libérales. http://www.opcapl.com/jeunes/iso_album/auxiliaire_specialisee_veterinaire.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  9. ^ "ANTECH". New Zealand Veterinary Association. http://www.nzva.org.nz/content/antech?__utma=245349338.4340750182917676500.1233649423.1234162174.1235705278.8&__utmb=245349338.3.10.1235705278&__utmc=245349338&__utmx=-&__utmz=245349338.1235705278.8.6.utmcsr=ivnta.org. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  10. ^ "Educational Institutions". New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association. http://www.nzvna.org.nz/node/109. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  11. ^ "National Certificate in Veterinary Nursing". Otago Polytechnic. http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/images/information%20sheets/VET%20VN2.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  12. ^ "National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing". Otago Polytechnic. http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/images/information%20sheets/VET%20DV1.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  13. ^ "National Certificate in Animal Care". Otago Polytechnic. http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/images/information%20sheets/VET%20AC.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  14. ^ "Certificate in Rural Animal Technology (Level 4)". Otago Polytechnic. http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/index.php?id=938&DID=Veterinary%20Nursing&PID=VET%20RV4. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  15. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association. http://www.nzvna.org.nz/content/frequently-asked-questions. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  16. ^ "Merchandise: National Uniform for Veterinary Nurses". New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association. http://www.nzvna.org.nz/content/merchandise. Retrieved on 2009-02-26. 
  17. ^ "Norsk Dyrepleier og Assistent Forening: Info in English". Norsk Dyrepleier og Assistent Forening. http://www.dyrepleier.com/nytt/english.htm. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  18. ^ "DipVetNurs". University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science. http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=1153&sub=1&parentid=50&subid=1149&ipklookid=13. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  19. ^ "Duties". Veterinary Nurses Association of South Africa. http://www.vnasa.co.za/Duties.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  20. ^ "Veterinary Nurses Association of South Africa". Veterinary Nurses Association of South Africa. http://www.vnasa.co.za/. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  21. ^ Lo Voi-Buschbeck, Stefanie. "La création de l'ASAMV". Association Suisse des assistantes en médecine vétérinaire. http://www.vstpa.ch/site/fr/index_f.php. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  22. ^ "LINKS / LIENS / COLLEGAMENTI: Schulen / Ecoles / Scuole". Association Suisse des assistantes en médecine vétérinaire. http://www.vstpa.ch/site/fr/index_f.php. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  23. ^ "la formation d'assistant(e) en médecine vétérinaire avec Certificat Fédéral de Capacité". Ecole Panorama. http://www.ecolepanorama.ch/ecolepanorama/assistant_medecine_veterinaire.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  24. ^ "Careers". British Veterinary Nursing Association, Ltd.. http://www.bvna.org.uk/smartweb/careers/careers. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  25. ^ "DipAVN (Surgical/Medical)". British Veterinary Nursing Association,Ltd.. http://www.bvna.org.uk/smartweb/further-education/dipavn-medical. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  26. ^ [http://www.rcvs.org.uk/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/2C252AE6-5593-4A3C-850D-89BAF33B7770_PagesfromDECEMBERNEWSWEB2(2).pdf "A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR THE DIPLOMA IN ADVANCED VETERINARY NURSING"]. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. http://www.rcvs.org.uk/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/2C252AE6-5593-4A3C-850D-89BAF33B7770_PagesfromDECEMBERNEWSWEB2(2).pdf. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  27. ^ "RCVS accredits Myerscough College to deliver DipAVN". Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=96569. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  28. ^ "Veterinary Nurses". Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. http://www.rcvs.org.uk/VeterinaryNurses. Retrieved on 2009-02-27. 
  29. ^ >"VETERINARY NURSES AND THE VETERINARY SURGEONS ACT 1966". Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. http://www.rcvs.org.uk/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/{6F54E881-EF7E-4A88-8A96-675AD111ABF3}_schedule3_guidance.PDF. Retrieved on 9 feb 2009. 


External links

Associations

Specialty academies

Resources

v • d • e
Veterinary medicine
Practitioners
Education
Other

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Search unanswered questions...

Enter a word or phrase...
All Community Q&A Reference topics

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Veterinary technician".  Read more

Related answers
» More
 
Answer these
» More