Things You Want to Know Veterinarians Veterinary Technicians updated October 2014

About 2700 new veterinarians graduate each year in the U.S. They are given the title: D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) or V.M.D. (Veterinary Medical Doctor)

Accreditation: When a school has met voluntary standards of quality set by a division of the AVMA Veterinary Schools: COE sets the standards (Council On Education) Vet. Technology Programs: CVTEA sets the standards (Committee on Vet Tech Education and Activities)

There are 30 accredited veterinary colleges in the U.S.

United States Alabama (2) Arizona California (2) Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississppi Missouri New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Tennessee (2) Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin

Foreign Schools of Veterinary Medicine Canada (5) Australia (3) England Ireland Mexico The Netherlands New Zealand Scotland (2) West Indies (2) – St. Kitts – Grenada

Becoming a DVM or VMD Education: 4 years of college to get pre-vet requirements minimum GPA 3.2 for most schools 4 years to complete veterinary college (vet school)

Appling to Vet School: Apply to Vet School upon completion/ graduation from 4 year college – Individually or use an application service – Need to take a standardized test –GRE, VCAT, or MCAT – Need letters of recommendation

4 years of veterinary school Graduate with a DVM degree (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) Or VMD

Licensing – Pass the NAVLE – (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) – Pass the state exam – ECFVG and PAVE are programs for foreign graduates to get licensed in the U.S.

WICHE: The Western Interstate Council on Higher Education Several states have an agreement to allow a certain number of qualified students reduced tuition at 4 participating veterinary colleges.

You can apply to these 4 Veterinary Colleges through WICHE: 1. University of California, Davis 2. Colorado State University 3. Oregon State University 4. Washington State University

There are accredited veterinary technology programs in AZ Mesa Community College Pima Community College Pima Medical Institute -Tucson -Mesa

Becoming a CVT Must have a high school diploma or GED Complete a 2 year accredited program of study (Post high school)

Becoming a CVT Licensing: – Proof of graduating accredited veterinary technician program – Pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) – Pass the state exam

So, what ’ s the difference? DVM 8 years of school Higher income Higher school costs Can work independently CVT 2 years of school Lower income Lower school costs Must work under the supervision of a DVM

What does the veterinarian do? Thorough history and physical exam Orders appropriate testing (bloodwork, urinalysis, radiographs, biopsy, cytology etc.) Prescribes treatments and medications for the CVT or animal owner to administer Interprets the results of the tests and makes a diagnosis Counsels the animal’s owner or caretaker Gives a prognosis Does surgery, dental procedures, places casts and splints, ultrasound exams, performs euthanasia

So, what does a CVT do? Takes a history from the animal’s caretaker Takes vital signs: Temp, pulse, respirations Restrains patients Collects samples (blood, urine, etc.) Takes radiographs Runs lab tests Prepares patients for surgery Administers treatments to patients (drugs, fluids, etc.) Sets IV catheters, clean wounds, apply bandages Monitors anesthetized patients and hospital patients Assists in surgery Dental cleaning, radiographs, charting Client education

4 things a Veterinary Technician may not do: 1. Diagnose 2. Give a prognosis 3. Prescribe medications 4. Do surgery

What is the AVMA? American Veterinary Medical Association It is the parent organization for veterinarians in the United States What is NAVTA? National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America It is the parent organization for veterinarian technicians in the United States

There are 22 veterinary specialties Veterinary specialists are called diplomates It takes an additional 3-5 years of experience and training: 1 or 2 year Internship and 3-4 year Residency Must pass specialty exam

22 Vet Specialties Veterinary Practitioners Veterinary Toxicology Lab Medicine Poultry Vets Theriogenologists (repro) Vet Anesthesiologists Vet Behaviorists Clinical Pharmacology Vet Dermatology Vet Emergency and Critical Care Animal Welfare Vet Internal Medicine Vet Nutrition Preventive Medicine Radiology Sports Medicine and Rehab Opthalmologists Pathologists Surgeons Zoological Medicine Dental Vet Microbiologists

There are 12 technician specialties The specialties are called Academies They are administered by NAVTAs CVTS ( Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties ) Additional 2-4 years of experience & training Must pass specialty exam Designation VTS

Academies An Academy designates veterinary technicians receiving recognition as a specialty and is restricted to credentialed veterinary technicians, who must complete a formal process of education, training, experience and testing to qualify. Academies develop advanced pathways, which a candidate must follow and complete in order to be awarded the designation of VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist) in their specific discipline.

The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians- gives the technicians the opportunity to expand their knowledge and their professional value by becoming a credentialed specialist in the field of animal dentistry.

The Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists- promotes patient safety, consumer protection, professionalism and excellence in anesthesia care. The Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anesthesia is there to provide your pet with exceptional care before, during and after a procedure.

The Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians- a group of technicians from varied backgrounds who have come together to realize the formation of a new specialty organization specifically for veterinary technicians working in Internal Medicine. Sub-specialties include: small animal medicine, large animal medicine, cardiology, oncology and neurology.

The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians- has a goal of certifying Veterinary Technicians is to assure the veterinary profession and the public that AVECCT certified technicians possess the knowledge and experience needed to work effectively in a well equipped and staffed emergency or critical care facility.

The Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians- promotes excellence in the discipline of veterinary behavior medicine. Veterinary Technician Specialists with behavior certification will demonstrate superior knowledge in scientifically - and humanely - based techniques of behavior health, problem prevention, training, management, and behavior modification. The AVBT will advance the skills of veterinary technicians within the discipline of animal behavior and further their recognition as critical components of the veterinary behavior team in creating, maintaining, and strengthening the human-animal bond.

The Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians- created specifically for veterinary technicians working in zoological medicine. The AVZMT offers the opportunity for zoo technicians to demonstrate excellence in the field

The Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians - created to meet the needs of the equine veterinary community.

The Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians - encourages experienced surgical technicians to enhance their education and training by pursuing a surgical specialty. AVST will provide a standardized route through which technicians may qualify for a national examination to become a VTS (Surgery).

The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice - modeled after the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, this academy has developed three initial species-specific categories: canine/feline, avian/exotic and production animal. The academy's credentialed veterinary technicians provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Candidates are expected to demonstrate expertise in a range of clinical disciplines within their species specialty.

The Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians – created to develop and support the area of veterinary nutrition, develop the knowledge and expertise of veterinary technicians to become certified in the field of nutrition and endorse technicians as a vital part of the veterinary nutrition profession

The Academy of Veterinary Clinical Pathology Technicians - created to advance the area of and promote excellence in the discipline of veterinary clinical pathology.

What is the AVMA? American Veterinary Medical Association It is the parent organization for veterinarians in the United States What is NAVTA? National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America It is the parent organization for veterinarian technicians in the United States

What is the AZ Veterinary Medical Examining Board? They enforce the state statutes & rules They protect the public Safety of their animals They investigate complaints They issue licenses They administer disciplinary action – Veterinarians – Non licensed practitioners THEY ARE THE “POLICE AGENCY” FOR THE VETERINARY PROFESSION!

AZ Veterinary Medical Examining Board 9 Members: – 5 veterinarians – 3 public members (1 representing the livestock industry, 2 others) – 1 CVT  Members appointed by the governor  Members serve a 4 year term

What about unlicensed practitioners? These are people such as animal chiropractors, equine dentists, animal massage therapists, etc. They must work under the supervision of a licensed DVM

Licensing Exams

What is the NAVLE North American Veterinary Licensing Exam National licensing exam for veterinarians

What is the VTNE Veterinary Technician National Exam National exam for (all) veterinarian technicians – State exams vary as do qualifications

Maintaining licensing Requires renewal – Every two years – Fee – CE credits Veterinarian 20 CE credits Certified Veterinary Technician 10 CE credits

What is CE credit CE – Continuing Education 1 hour class = 1 CE credit – Online courses – Seminars – Webinars – Conferences

Why Continuing Education Gaining new knowledge or more in-depth knowledge about a procedure In medicine, there are always advances in knowledge and/ or technology Refresher courses

What kinds of career options are available for veterinarians? General practitioner (large animal, small animal, mixed practice) Zoo Veterinarian Shelter Veterinarian Specialist Racetrack Veterinarian

More career options for DVM ’ s Private Industry (drug companies, feed companies,etc) Government – Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) – Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Military (Army Veterinary Corps) Consulting (herd health, practice management) Teaching The list goes on…….

So, what are some career options if I want to work with animals, but don ’ t want to be a veterinarian?

Veterinary Science Careers for Non- Veterinarians Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Animal Trainer Wildlife Rehabilitator Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist Researcher or Lab Animal Caretaker Zookeeper/Conservation Marine Biologist Pet Groomer Shelter/Animal Rescue worker Teacher Other options……..

Medical Careers in which Veterinary Science Education is Helpful: Dentistry (dentist, dental hygienist) Physician, nurse, or other human medical worker Laboratory technician or microbiologist Pharmacist or pharmacy technician Optometry Medical examiner/Forensics Many others….

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