Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 1 Veterinary Technology: An Overview

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Question: How does the veterinary technician contribute to the overall function of the veterinary practice? 6

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Veterinary technicians perform some procedures once reserved for veterinarians, allowing veterinarians to focus on diagnosing illness, researching treatments, and performing surgery. The veterinary technician performs or oversees animal care, personnel management, facility and equipment maintenance, client education, and supply inventory. The veterinary technician maintains the OR, assists in surgery, and may take radiographs. As a trained professional, the veterinary technician also presents a client-centered face to the practice and helps keep the practice functioning. 7

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 8 Learning Objectives 1. List and explain the roles and responsibilities of the veterinary technician in a variety of clinical settings 2. List the members of the veterinary health care team and compare and contrast the training required for each member Describe the general process for obtaining a VTS credential 3. Describe the purpose of the VTNE and the AALAS examinations (and recognize what the acronyms stand for)

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 9 Learning Objectives Recognized veterinary technician specialty academies List and describe the aspects of professionalism for veterinary technology Describe workplace stressors and methods for reducing stress Name the organizations represented by the acronyms AVMA, CVMA, CVTEA, NAVTA, and AAVSB and describe their roles in the education and credentialing of veterinary technicians

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 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 by 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. 10

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Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 12 Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician Reception area Examination rooms/outpatients Laboratory and pharmacy Radiology Treatment room Operating room Wards Hospital management

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Activity Directions Form Groups Each group member needs a different colored marker and that color must be present on the paper provided Make a quick poster that includes Title (assigned vet tech responsibility) Explanation of the responsibility Description of where this takes place List of duties and activities 13

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Prescribe Diagnose Prognose Perform Surgery 14

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Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 21 Veterinary Health Care Team Veterinarian Veterinary technician specialist Veterinary technologist Veterinary technician Veterinary assistant Veterinary nurse (European)

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Education/Training of Team Members In a group List the education or training needed for each member of the vet tech team 22

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 23 Veterinary Technician Specialties The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT) The Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA) The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT) The Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT)

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Question: How does the membership in a professional organization support the overall message of professional behavior? 24

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Answer: Membership in a professional organization speaks of several things: the technician’s interest in the profession, the technician’s decision to embark on a career rather than just a job, and the technician’s desire to grow and develop professionally. Associating with other focused individuals promotes growth and development of the technician and provides networking opportunities. 25

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 26 Professional Examinations Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) Offered twice a year 200 multiple choice questions Covers Pharmacy/pharmacology, surgical preparation/assisting, laboratory procedures, animal nursing, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, and office/hospital procedures

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 27 Professional Examinations American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification program Assistant laboratory animal technician (ALAT) Laboratory animal technician (LAT) Laboratory animal technologist (LATG) Certification to care for laboratory animals in research facilities and teaching institutions Regulated by the USDA

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 28 Professionalism Appearance Uniform Hands and nails Jewelry, face and hair Conduct In the workplace Outside the workplace

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 29 Professionalism Communication Verbal Written Medical Records Letters and resumes

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 30 The Professional Letter Stationery Name and address graphic Cover letters Accompany resumes Typed 12 pt font Single spacing

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 31 The Professional Letter Contents Date Recipient name and address Salutation Text Closing Signature and credentials

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 32 Cover Letter

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 33 The Resume Objective Education Experience Credentials Volunteer experience Professional memberships

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 34 The Resume May also include Summary or profile Skills Publications Activities/interests Professional awards/honors Professional presentations Grants Languages spoken fluently other than English

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 35 Sample Resume

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 36 Sample Resume

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The Job Interview Preparation for the interview What are you going to wear? Prepare your resume Practice shaking hands and greeting someone Have a firm handshake Prepare your answers to commonly asked interview questions 37

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 38 The Job Interview Be prepared to ask at least three questions at the end of the interview Confirm beforehand directions to the interview site and your time of arrival Put the telephone number in your cell phone

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 39 Stress in the Workplace General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Alarm reaction Adaptive phase Phase of exhaustion Type A personalities Susceptible to stress Type B personalities Stress resistant

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 40 Reducing Stress Plan for the unexpected Keep time slots free for emergencies and delays Arrange for emergency backup personnel Cross-train staff Have backup generators for power outages

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 41 Reducing Stress Create reasonable work schedules Avoid excessively long hours Take one break per 8-hour period Vacation time Create a culture of collaboration, trust, and mutual support No gossip, blame or finger-pointing Never reprimand in front of others Keep emotions under control

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 42 Reducing Stress Recognize and counsel staff members who are stressed Provide clear communication Regular staff meetings Support open communication but limit complaining

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 43 Professional Organizations National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) “To represent and promote the profession of veterinary technology.” Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (CAAHTT) American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 44 Professional Organizations Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)(AVMA committee) American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB)

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 45 Professional Organizations

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. You have been working in a stable practice for 3 years. There are two veterinarians and a staff of six veterinary technicians. The senior veterinary technician has been with the practice from the beginning and serves as the office manager. The other five veterinary technicians have essentially the same responsibilities with no differentiation based on seniority or skill and are paid the same. Recently, one of the technicians has started to come in late and has been short with a prized, but difficult, client. What might be happening? How can it be remedied? What options should be explored to assure that the situation does not happen again? 46

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. There is a high rate of attrition in the field, and much of it comes from job dissatisfaction. Does the structure of the practice contribute to that dissatisfaction? The combination of job dissatisfaction and stress from the general organization may contribute to workplace stress. Encourage restructuring of the practice, allowing for advancement. Present a template showing how the new structure would look. Present the short-term and long-term benefits of the change. 47