1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
Read this assignment. Then, read from the "Introduction" to the section titled "Professionalism" in Chapter 1
of your textbook.
After completing your reading assignments, complete the chapter activities in your Clinical Textbook for
Veterinary Technicians and Nurses workbook for Chapter 1. Please don't complete the case studies in the
workbook at this time. You can check your answers with the answer key provided
.
Introduction
Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in veterinary medicine. In many veterinary clinics and other settings, veterinary technicians perform almost all veterinary duties, except for those that are restricted by law to a licensed veterinarian.
In a human hospital, the duties of a veterinary technician would be performed by a team of specially trained individuals, including registered nurses, phlebotomists, radiology technicians, laboratory technicians, surgical nurses, and a number of other positions. In the veterinary clinic, all of these duties are the responsibility of the
veterinary technician.
Veterinary technicians play a significant role in keeping a veterinary practice productive and efficient. They often work under the veterinarian, but also independently carry out patient care tasks.
History of Veterinary Technology
In the past, veterinarians practiced independently and performed many of their patient care and laboratory duties themselves. Laypeople, or family members, may have assisted with receptionist duties and animal restraint, but specially trained employees were rarely utilized.
In the modern veterinary practice, this is no longer the case. Modern veterinary practices typically employ multiple veterinarians within a single practice, using a staff of veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, receptionists, and kennel assistants. The veterinary environment frequently resembles a human hospital in workflow and complexity, in contrast to the historic single-veterinarian country practice.
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
The Veterinary Technician Today
Veterinary technicians work in a wide range of settings, including companion animal practice, farm animal practice, research, and zoo/aquarium medicine.
Many veterinary technicians work in specialty practices. These veterinary technicians work alongside specialty-
trained veterinarians, seeing complex cases that are referred by general veterinary practices. Some veterinary technicians working in specialty hospitals may be specialists themselves, having received the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certification in their specialty. Receiving a VTS certification requires a combination of training, experience, and qualifying test scores. The VTS program was established by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA).
Nationally, there's a shortage of trained veterinary technicians. Veterinary technicians are in demand, and there are many available job opportunities. Salaries vary depending on field of interest, location, and experience. The median reported salary for veterinary technicians in 2019 was $34,420 per year (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Additional benefits may include medical insurance, retirement plans, continuing education allowances, and membership fees in professional associations. Salaries are typically higher in government work, locations with higher population densities, and specialty practices.
Veterinary technology is a profession with a high rate of attrition. Veterinary technicians often leave the field due to lack of appreciation, lack of opportunities for advancement, and feeling underutilized. In order to prevent this degree of turnover, efforts are underway to improve veterinary practice managers' understanding
of the value of veterinary technicians. Veterinary technicians who are allowed to fully utilize their skills and grow in their positions are far more likely to remain satisfied members of the profession.
Education
There are a variety of veterinary technology programs available for those interested in entering the profession. Existing programs include associate's and bachelor's degree programs, which can be completed on campus or via distance learning. These programs are regulated by the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). The CVTEA establishes specific program requirements for veterinary technology programs and performs evaluations to ensure that programs are meeting these requirements.
The education of veterinary technicians doesn't consist only of their formal training. In almost all states, veterinary technicians must receive regular continuing education (CE)
in order to maintain their license. Each state sets its own requirement for how many CE credits must be earned within a given period of time.
Continuing education includes lectures, workshops, and online webinars or web-based lectures. Many professional veterinary associations offer continuing education through their websites and published journals, such as NAVTA
Journal
and
Trends
. Most major state and national conferences offer hands-on sessions (wet labs) in addition to traditional lectures.
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
The Internet gives veterinary technicians access to high-quality education right from their own homes. Online courses and webinars are convenient, cost-efficient, and should have the same credentials as onsite sessions. Online continuing education typically allows for much greater attendance and access to well-known speakers.
Receiving regular CE plays a vital role in keeping veterinary technicians up to date on medical changes and advances. Continuing education offers the benefit of personal enjoyment and fulfillment for many veterinary technicians. Learning can be stimulating and challenging.
New thoughts and ideas motivate employees. They tend to leave the classroom eager to implement what they've learned and to improve the process of working with their veterinary health care team. Continuing education courses enable you to network with people in your profession, which often leads to other opportunities. It's important to stay energized about your profession.
The Veterinary Technician National Examination
Upon graduation from a veterinary technology program, students must take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). This test has been developed by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and the Professional Examination Service (PES). In most states, this test is required to work as a veterinary technician.
The VTNE is a computer-based test, consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within
three hours. Your actual test will contain 170 questions, but 20 of these are unscored, experimental questions.
The test questions on the VTNE are written by veterinarians and veterinary technicians and are designed to cover a wide variety of topics. These topics include Animal Care & Nursing, Anesthesia, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Laboratory Procedures, Surgical Nursing, Dentistry, Diagnostic Imaging, Pain Management & Analgesia, and Emergency Medicine & Critical Care.
The procedure for registering for the VTNE varies, depending on the state in which you wish to practice. You'll need to contact your state board to receive information on registering for the test and having your scores submitted to your state board.
The Profession of Veterinary Technology
Veterinary technicians are considered professionals. As a veterinary technician, you'll receive specialized training to perform a specific service, using a specific body of knowledge. You'll act independently, making decisions based on observations, critical thinking, and analytical skills. You'll follow a code of conduct and ethics and follow legal guidelines such as practice acts, rules, and regulations.
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
Veterinary Technician Practice Model
The veterinary technician practice model
provides a framework for the work that's performed by veterinary technicians. This practice model includes five steps.
Gather data about the patient.
This data may include direct observations of the patient (subjective observations, such as overall impressions, and objective observations, such as vital signs), as well as laboratory tests, and the results of other diagnostics.
Identify and prioritize patient evaluations.
While the veterinarian is responsible for diagnosing and treating the patient, veterinary technicians often evaluate the patient's response to treatment and the risk for future problems. Veterinary technicians are expected to prioritize their evaluations, addressing the most life-threatening problems (oxygenation, acute pain, and hydration) first.
Develop and implement a plan for patient care. Some of these interventions may include alerting the veterinarian, while others include measures that the technician may take independently.
Evaluate the patient's response to care.
Constant re-evaluation is necessary to monitor the patient's response to treatment and make changes accordingly.
Gather additional data
, repeating steps 1–5.
Scope of Practice
Although there's some variation in state laws, most locations maintain that veterinarians are the only individuals who can perform the following tasks:
Diagnose
Prescribe
Prognose
Perform surgery
This means that veterinary technicians can't diagnose patient illnesses, prescribe medications, attest to the health status of an animal, or offer information regarding a specific pet's prognosis. The definition of surgery
often varies depending on location. Some areas permit technicians to close an incision made by a veterinarian or perform a dental extraction, while other locations may not.
Responsibilities of the Veterinary Technician in Practice
Veterinary technicians have a variety of responsibilities throughout the hospital. Cross-training is a simple, but powerful, technique that can enhance the value and versatility of every member of the veterinary health care team. When you're cross-trained, you learn how to do your own job, and you also learn how to do a portion of
other people's duties so that you can perform their jobs if needed. This technique increases practice flexibility and allows team members to help out when another employee is very busy, on vacation, or called out of the office unexpectedly.
Even if cross-training isn't a regular part of the routine at the practice where you work, you may want to be trained to perform additional duties after you've mastered your own job. It's possible that no one has previously expressed interest in being cross-trained. Most veterinary practices find that having team members
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
qualified to perform multiple tasks increases everyone's efficiency. Cross-training may enhance your qualifications for promotions, and help you move up to management positions. This is especially important if the practice manager is required to supervise employees directly. A supervisor can gain a unique insight into a particular position once he or she has been trained to perform it.
As a veterinary technician, you may find yourself performing tasks in all areas of the hospital, including the reception area, examination rooms, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, treatment area, operating room, and wards. A willingness to become involved in all aspects of the veterinary practice will make you a valuable asset
to your employer and strengthen your veterinary technology career.
Terminology and the Veterinary Health Team
The following titles are used to describe various members of the veterinary health care team:
Veterinarians
are individuals who have completed four years of veterinary school, receiving a DVM or VMD. The veterinarian is the leader of the veterinary health care team.
Veterinary technician specialists
are graduates of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program who have met the requirements for admission to a respective academy of specialists and have been accepted by that academy.
Veterinary technicians
are individuals who have earned a degree from a veterinary technology program and are licensed as a technician with the state veterinary board. The technician is often responsible for educating clients, treating patients within the hospital, administering medications (including anesthesia), and performing diagnostic techniques, such as laboratory analysis of blood. Veterinary technicians are directly involved in the nursing care of hospitalized patients and are often asked to help with practice management issues.
Veterinary assistants
are unlicensed individuals who are involved in the care of animals. These individuals are often trained on the job, though they may have completed a 4–6 month educational program. Veterinary assistants are often asked to restrain an animal while the veterinary technician performs a physical examination or draws a blood sample.
In addition to those individuals who deliver medical care, a veterinary practice will probably include a receptionist
who answers the phone, greets clients as they enter, coordinates the scheduling of patient appointments, and otherwise oversees the workings of the front desk area of the practice.
A veterinary practice may have a bookkeeper
or accountant
, who takes care of the accounting aspects of the practice, including payroll, paying bills, and ordering supplies. Finally, most veterinary practices have a practice
manager
, who coordinates and oversees the behind-the-scenes tasks that promote the efficient delivery of medical care to patients.
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
Key Points
Entering the profession of veterinary technology requires a combination of education, qualifying test scores, and meeting local licensing requirements.
Veterinary technicians have many responsibilities in a veterinary hospital, often completing nearly any task in the hospital with the exception of diagnosing, prescribing, prognosing, and performing surgery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1.
The field of veterinary technology was established in the _____.
1960’s
2.
Veterinary technicians who work in a specialty hospital setting may seek the _____ designation.
Veterinary technician specialist
3.
Many states require veterinary technicians to receive continuing _____ in order to maintain their licensing.
Education
4.
Obtaining a state license typically requires passing the _____.
Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA)
Organization responsible for advancing veterinary technology and veterinary nursing
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Introduction to Veterinary Technology: Its Laws and Ethics
1.1 Explain the history, profession, and proper terminology of veterinary technology.
Practice Act
Primary state law that governs the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology
Veterinarian
An individual who has completed four years of post-undergraduate education, earning a DVM or VMD, and is licensed to practice veterinary medicine within their state.
Veterinary Technician
An individual who has earned an associate’s degree in veterinary technology, has completed national and state examinations, and is licensed a s veterinary technician within their state.
Veterinary Assistant
An unlicensed individual who is involved in the care of animals.
Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
A 150-question multiple-choice examination that must be passed in order to practice veterinary technology in most states.
Continuing Education
Courses that must be taken on a regular basis in order to renew a professional license.
Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)
A veterinary technician that has undergone additional training and approval in a veterinary specialty field.
Veterinary Technician Practice Model
A structured approach to patient care that ensures that consistent excellent care is provided to each patient.
Objective Patient Data
Measurable patient information, such as vital signs.
Subjective Patient Data
Observable patient information, such as history and physical exam findings.
Radiography
x-ray examination
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