Transcript Introduction to the Veterinary Assistant

Introduction to the Veterinarian and
Veterinary Assistant/Technician profession!
Next Generation Science / Common Core Standards Addressed!
 CCSS. ELA – Literacy RST 11 -12.9 Synthesize information from a range of
sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding
of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information
when possible.
Agriculture, Food, and Natural
Resource Standards Addressed
 AS.07.01. Design programs to prevent animal diseases, parasites and other
disorders and ensure animal welfare.
 AS.07.01.02.b. Perform simple health-check evaluations on animals and practice
basic emergency response procedures related to animals.
Bell Work / Unit objectives
 Describe the veterinary technician/assistant career field.
 What type of training is required to become a veterinary
technician or assistant?
 What are some of the duties of a veterinary assistant?
 What are the career areas where a veterinary assistant
may find employment?
Terms:
 Veterinary Assistant
 Ophthalmology
 Veterinary Technician
 Dermatology
 Feline
 Orthodontics
 Canine
 Cardiology
 Avian
 Surgical
 Equine
 Bovine
 Capri
 Marine
 Radiograph
What is a Veterinarian?
Veterinary is a Latin phrase meaning “beast of
burden.”
Veterinary career options!
 There are numerous career options for veterinarians as
well as veterinary technician’s and assistant’s. The
career fields include;
 Private clinical practice
 Research
 Public Practice
 Education
 Research
 Regulatory Agencies
 Service
Private practice Veterinarians.
 Currently there are more than 60,000 private
practice veterinarians in the United States.
Eighty percent of private practice veterinarians
work with companion and small animals. The
remaining 20 % concentrate on equine and
food animals. Day to day duties may include;
 Clients bringing pets into your clinic.
 Traveling to a producers operation. Very
common with “track” horses and the dairies here
in New Mexico.
 Performing examinations.
 Administering medications.
 Providing information for clients.
Veterinarians with a private practice
specialization.
Veterinarians and their staff may choose a
species of specialization, which may include;
Feline – cat
Canine – dog
Avian – birds/poultry
Equine – horse
Bovine – beef
Ovine and Capri – sheep and goats
Marine – fish and marine mammals
Private practice specialization cont.
Veterinarian/technician/assistant specialization
may continue to internal systems;
Ophthalmology – eyes
Dermatology – skin
Orthodontics – teeth
Cardiology – circulatory
Surgical – Specialization such as “spinal surgery” for
example.
Public practice!
 Currently there are in excess of twelve
thousand publicly employed veterinarians in
the US. Areas of employment include the
USDA, state livestock boards, universities and
the military.
 Education – Veterinary schools and technician
certification programs.
 Research - Government agencies and private
companies.
 Regulatory- Inspection services, disease
research.
 Service – Veterinary schools, laboratory research
and diagnosis services.
Industry employed veterinarians.
A number of veterinarians, assistants
and technicians work for private
industry.
 Agricultural research.
 Universities
 Private pharmaceutical companies
 Livestock and the pet food industries
Certified veterinary assistants and technicians
are needed in all of the areas that we have
discussed!
Specific duties may include:
 Communicating directly with clients.
 Nursing sick and injured animals.
 Bandaging
 Surgical assistance
 Radiographs
 Assisting with research projects.
Duties of the veterinary assistant and
technician in the clinical practice.
 Communication with clients.
 Comforting patients.
 Being aware of the patients physical
and mental state.
 Patient restraint.
 Administration of medicine.
 Accurate record keeping and data
entry.
Duties of the veterinary assistant and
technician in a field situation.
Animal and livestock handling
skills.
Animal and livestock restraint
skills.
Patient assessment.
Situation assessment.
Quick action.
Duties of the veterinary assistant technician
in a Zoo situation.
 Work with a variety of exotic animals,
birds and reptile.
 Assemble tools, supplies and
equipment.
 Familiar with unique animal restraint
methods.
 Situation Assessment.
 Assemble specialized equipment
tools and supplies as needed.
Duties of the veterinary assistant technician in a
veterinary technology laboratory situation.
 The research area may require
specialized knowledge and skill that
may not be common in the veterinary
areas. Unique skills may include but are
not limited to the following;
 Exams and testing of – fecal material,
blood and urine.
 Obtaining samples for testing
 Extensive use of microscopes and other
specialized testing equipment.
The veterinary technician or assistant is often the first
person/point of contact for an existing or potential
client.
 Effective
communica
tion skills
and a
positive first
impression
are
essential.
The veterinary assistant/technician is responsible
for the smooth operation of the clinic.
In addition to the day to day position duties we
have discussed the technician may also be
responsible for;
Cleaning
Ordering supplies
Maintaining the waiting area
Making client first contact
Obtaining client information – patient name,
breed, address, phone number, email address.
The initial office visit!
 Communicating with clients that have entered the clinic is much like
“public speaking”. The following attributes are important;
 Friendly facial expression.
 Positive mannerisms.
 Warm and friendly attitude is essential.
 Appear to be caring and professional.
 Make sure the client leaves the clinic with a positive feeling.
Dealing with a difficult client!
 Always remain calm.
 Remain courteous.
 Don’t argue with the individual as it may escalate the situation.
 Use a calm approach.
 If possible let the client “blow off steam” before responding.
The End!