Transcript Things You Must Know for Unit One

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
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Alabama (2)
Arizona
California (2)
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
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Kansas
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississppi
Missouri
New York
North Carolina
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Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee (2)
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Foreign Schools of Veterinary
Medicine
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Canada (5)
Australia (3)
England
Ireland
Mexico
The Netherlands
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New Zealand
 Scotland (2)
 West Indies (2)
– St. Kitts
– Grenada
Becoming a DVM or VMD
Education:
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4 years of college to get pre-vet requirements
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minimum GPA 3.2 for most schools
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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
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Must have a high school diploma or GED
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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
CVT
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8 years of school
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2 years of school
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Higher income
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Lower income
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Higher school costs
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Lower school costs
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Can work
independently
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Must work under the
supervision of a DVM
What does the veterinarian do?
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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
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4 things a Veterinary
Technician may not do:
Diagnose
2. Give a prognosis
3. Prescribe medications
4. Do surgery
1.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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The Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing
Technicians - created to meet the needs of the
equine veterinary community.
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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).
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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Members:
– 5 veterinarians
– 3 public members (1 representing the livestock
industry, 2 others)
– 1 CVT
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Members appointed by the governor
Members serve a 4 year term
What about unlicensed
practitioners?
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These are people such as animal
chiropractors, equine dentists, animal
massage therapists, etc.
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They must work under the supervision of a
licensed DVM
Licensing Exams
What is the NAVLE
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North American Veterinary Licensing
Exam
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National licensing exam for veterinarians
What is the VTNE
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Veterinary Technician National Exam
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National exam for (all) veterinarian
technicians
– State exams vary as do qualifications
Maintaining licensing
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Requires renewal
– Every two years
– Fee
– CE credits
 Veterinarian 20 CE credits
 Certified Veterinary Technician 10 CE credits
What is CE credit
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CE
– Continuing Education
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1 hour class = 1 CE credit
– Online courses
– Seminars
– Webinars
– Conferences
Why Continuing Education
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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?
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General practitioner (large animal, small
animal, mixed practice)
 Zoo Veterinarian
 Shelter Veterinarian
 Specialist
 Racetrack Veterinarian
More career options for DVM’s
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Private Industry (drug companies, feed
companies,etc)
 Government
– Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
– US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)
– Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
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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 NonVeterinarians
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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:
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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….
The End