What are "Animal Health Technologists?"
Animal health technologists provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. In a nutshell we are the Nurses of the animal world.
What is the difference between registered vs unregistered Vet Tech?
In Alberta and most other proviencs in Canada, along with most of the States, vet tech must be registered and in good standing with a professional regulatory organization. Here in Alberta it is called the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA).
To be eligable for registration you must first complete an accrediated Animal health technology program. These programs are offered thoughout Alberta and even through distance education from other proviences! Once completing and passing this course, you must then write the Veterinary Technicians National Exam (VTNE). Taking this exam ensures that all techs have a certain level of competency before working in a veterinary practice. The VTNE is a computer-based examination and is administered at a testing facility. The exam is constantly updated to remain current with the ever evolving veterinary industry.
Once you have passed the VTNE you are now eligable to become "registered" with the ABVMA. This will consist of yearly dues, completing a number of current continuing education hours in your current field of practice, be in good standing with the association and allows you to legally practice in Alberta.
What is the role of a Vet tech in veterinary medicine?
As Animal health technologists we provide a wide range of animal health services. These services are with direct and indirect supervision of a veterinarian.
In general, they include:
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collect and prepare lab samples for testing
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perform blood, urine, fecal, and other routine lab tests
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fill and dispense prescriptions
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administer medications and treatments (including vaccinations)
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receive and prepare animals to be examined or for surgery
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monitor and assess clinical symptoms
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help veterinarians in procedures and surgeries
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give and monitor anesthetics
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produce and develop x-rays
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provide emergency first aid
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perform dental cleaning
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restrain animals to be examined, immunized, medicated, or to receive veterinary nursing care
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calculate and give medications and fluids
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follow radiation safety and quality control procedures
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educate owners on animal health care (for example, behaviour problems or nutrition)
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help euthanize animals
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clean, maintain and sterilize medical tools and equipment
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manage drug and product supplies.
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keep facility clean to control the spread of disease
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assist in programs to monitor food animals.
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assist in programs to promote food safety and public health
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keep medical records and logbooks.
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Monitor and maintain controlled drugs and their logbooks
They may:
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write reports
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train new staff
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recommend and sell non-prescription products according to clinic standards
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provide customer service and support services (such as grief counselling, choosing a new pet, pet-sitting, and pet weight-loss support)
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maintain research information
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handle accounting and invoicing duties.
The main duties that most people are shocked when they find out we preform are; administration and monitoring general anesthesia, dental prophylaxis (including oral radiographs), preforming life saving CPR, and calculating and administering medications.
Even though we have have all these roles the most important is CARING for you pet. This is what we love the most.
If you would like to see the full list of tasks and abilities that a Registered Veterinary Technologist can do follow the link below.
What are tech appointments and what do they entail?
These are appointments with a tech vs a doctor. There are veterinary medical tasks within this scope of practice that, because of the education and experience of the technologist, may be delegated from the veterinarian to the technologist. The tech can take a full history, preform a physical examination, including taking the patients vitals, then on the recommendations from the veterinarian, preform the necessities of the appointment. This could include, but is not limited to, anal gland expression, vaccinations, administration of medications (Cytopoint or Solensia for example). These appointments can also be for educational purposes. If you, as a client have specific questions about pet food for example, you can book a time to speak to a tech to have your questions answered.
There are some stipulations for your pet to be eligible for this type of appointment.
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They must have been seen by our veterinarian within the last 365 days.
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Have no major medical concerns
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They cannot be for making a diagnosis or determinining a course of treatment
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They cannot be for applying any surgical techniques
Please for pricing and availability!