VT 51 Lecture 1 Overview of Veterinary Medicine F24 PDF

Welcome to VT 51 Introduction to Veterinary Technology Let’s start by getting to know each other… Let’s start our lecture… Take a moment to think about the medical profession… 14 What are the employment positions in a human hospital?...

Welcome to VT 51 Introduction to Veterinary Technology Let’s start by getting to know each other… Let’s start our lecture… Take a moment to think about the medical profession… 14 What are the employment positions in a human hospital? 15 What are the employment positions in a human hospital? Over 200 positions! ◍ Doctors (GP’s, surgeons, obstetrics, pediatricians, radiologists, neurologists, EENT, internal medicine…) ◍ Nursing staff – 16 types! (RN, LVN, NP, CNA…) ◍ Technicians (Phlebotomy, radiology, respiratory) ◍ Physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists ◍ Administrators (Medical director, receptionists, accounting) ◍ Orderlies ◍ Janitorial staff and many others! 16 What are the employment positions in a veterinary hospital? 17 What are the employment positions in the veterinary hospital? ◍ Veterinarians ◍ Veterinary technicians ◍ Veterinary assistants ◍ Client services representatives (receptionist) ◍ Kennel attendants ◍ Practice manager ◍ Accountant 18 What is a veterinarian? 19 What is a veterinarian? ◍ Licensed animal doctor ◍ 4 years of undergraduate studies plus 4 years of graduate school ◍ Must pass national and state exams ◍ Must complete 36 hours of continuing education and pay licensing fee every two years 20 Veterinarians ◍ 127,131 veterinarians in United States as of 2023 (according to AVMA) ○ 75,000 work in private practice ◍ Roughly 2/3 female and 1/3 male 21 22 Veterinarians ◍ Majority in general practice (primary practitioners) ◍ Specialists = secondary care ◍ Veterinary schools = tertiary care 24 Veterinary Specialties ◍ Require additional 3 years of training and passing board exams ○ Cardiology ○ Neurology ○ Surgery ○ Ophthalmology ○ Dermatology ○ Behavior ○ Internal medicine ○ Oncology 25 What do veterinarians actually do? 26 What do veterinarians actually do? ◍ Preventive care ◍ Annual wellness exams ◍ Diagnose and treat sick animals ◍ Prescribe medications ◍ Surgery and dental procedures ◍ Humane euthanasia 27 The general practice veterinarian and veterinary team are responsible for all animal species other than human through all life stages. 28 You are here to learn more about Foothill’s Veterinary Technology Program. Let’s review some terminology…  Medical Terminology Profession: “A Profession is a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical standards and who hold themselves out as, and are accepted by the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognized body of learning derived from research, education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to apply this knowledge and exercise these skills in the interest of others.” – according to the Australian Council of Professions 30  Medical Terminology Veterinary: (Adjective) “relating to the diseases, injuries, and treatment of animals” - Oxford languages 31  Medical Terminology Technology: (noun) “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes” - Oxford Languages 32  Medical Terminology Veterinary Technology: “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes relating to the diseases, injuries, and treatment of animals” - Oxford Languages 33  Medical Terminology Veterinary Technology: “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes relating to the diseases, injuries, and treatment of animals” - Oxford Languages This is a vital and honorable profession! 34 What does a veterinary technician do? 35 What does a veterinary technician do? ◍ Anesthesia ◍ Carry out ◍ Recognize ◍ Dental veterinarian’s patient prophylaxis orders discomfort ◍ Imaging ◍ Educate clients ◍ Anticipate ◍ Complete complications ◍ Lab procedures medical records ◍ Alert veterinarian ◍ Phlebotomy to any patient ◍ Take complete ◍ Technical skills histories changes (IV catheter placement) 38 What does a veterinary technician do? ◍ This is a highly skilled position which requires independent thought and action to aid the whole veterinary team. ◍ Very hands on with animals ◍ “The heart and soul” of the hospital 39 How to become a registered veterinary technician? ◍ Associate’s degree from 2 or 3 year AVMA-accredited vet tech program ◍ Foothill has a 2 year VT program ◍ Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) ◍ Must complete 20 hours of continuing education and pay licensing fee every two years 40 Veterinary technology specialists ◍ Fairly new to the profession, started in 1994 ◍ Higher skill set and knowledge ◍ Require additional training ◍ Must be reviewed and approved by appropriate academy 41 Veterinary Technology Specialists ◍ Dentistry ◍ Equine nursing ◍ Anesthesiology ◍ Surgery ◍ Internal Medicine ◍ Nutrition ◍ Emergency and ◍ Clinical Critical Care Pathology ◍ Behavior ◍ Dermatology ◍ Zoological Medicine 42 Other unique areas of VT ◍ Lab animal technicians ○ Own certification program 43 Other unique areas of VT ◍ Veterinary technologist (RVTg) ○ 4 year program for Bachelor’s of Science (BS) degree ○ Often work in teaching hospitals or veterinary schools 44 Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE) ◍ 150 multiple-choice questions ◍ 3 hours ◍ Learn score right away 45 Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE) Subject Areas ◍ Pharmacy ◍ Diagnostic ◍ Pain ◍ Surgical nursing imaging management ◍ Dentistry ◍ Anesthesia ◍ Lab procedures ◍ Emergency medicine ◍ Animal care and nursing ◍ Critical care 46 Veterinary technicians and technologists in the United States ◍ Nearly 110,000 veterinary technicians in the US (according to AAHA) ◍ In high demand!! ○ Expected growth for profession of 19% for next decade (2023-2033) ○ Median pay $43,740 nationally (Bureau of Labor Statistics) ○ Median pay $46-68,000 in California 47  Classified ads from January 2024 off Indeed.com 48 Let’s meet other positions in the veterinary team… 49 Veterinary Assistants ◍ No license required ◍ On-the-job training ◍ Or 4-6 months of education ○ Foothill Veterinary Assisting Certificate 3 courses Fully online Must earn experience in vet clinic 50 Veterinary Assistants ◍ Restraint ◍ Preparation for ◍ Set up equipment ◍ Cleaning cages surgery for veterinary ◍ Administration of team ◍ Labwork therapy ◍ Exercise patients ◍ Management of prescriptions ◍ Bathing patients ◍ Feed and water for patients 51 What does a CSR (client services representative) do? ◍ Schedule appointments ◍ Answer the phones ◍ Set up medical records ◍ Take payments ◍ Check patient in and out of hospital 52 What does a CSR (client services representative) do? ◍ This is the first and last person with client interaction! ◍ Important to make a good impression ◍ Be friendly! 53 What does a kennel attendant do? ◍ Basic husbandry ○ Feed and water ○ Groom/bathe ○ Exercise ○ Clean cages ○ Record bodily functions (appetite, eliminations) ○ ALERT team if anything is abnormal! 54  Bottom line: Teamwork is the key to a successful veterinary practice! 55 Let’s talk acronyms: 56 Acronyms in the Veterinary Profession ◍ RVT ○ Registered Veterinary Technician ◍ DVM ○ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine ○ (What is a VMD?) 57 Acronyms in the Veterinary Profession ◍ AVMA ○ American Veterinary Medical Association ◍ CVMA ○ California Veterinary Medical Association ◍ NAVTA ○ National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America 58 Acronyms in the Veterinary Profession ◍ VTNE ○ Veterinary Technician National Exam ◍ AAVSB ○ American Association of Veterinary State Boards 59 Let’s talk about attrition in veterinary medicine… 66 Let’s talk about attrition in veterinary medicine… Definition of attrition: “the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure” - Oxford Languages 67 Let’s talk about attrition in veterinary medicine… Why is it present? 68 Let’s talk about attrition in veterinary medicine… Why is it present? Hard work Fast-paced Stressful Relatively low pay, especially for level of education Lack of advancement Perceived lack of respect, underutilization Compassion fatigue Exposure to end of life on a regular basis 69 Let’s talk about the joys of veterinary medicine… 70 Let’s talk about the joys of veterinary medicine… Puppies and kittens No two days are alike Animal advocate Prevent suffering Promote good health and long lives Ability to educate clients Know that you are making a difference DAILY! 71 Let’s talk about the class… Let’s start by looking at the VT 51 Course Schedule. 72  How will I be graded? Weekly In-Class Quizzes - 10% Periodical Review Project - 15% Research Project - 25% Weekly Homework Assignments – 25% Final Exam - 25% 73 Grading Policy** Achievement of the following percentages of total points will earn the associated letter grade: 92-100 % =A 82-91% =B 75-81% =C 70-74% =D < 70% =F **Note that in order to be eligible to apply to the VT program, you must earn a “C” or better in this course. 74 My information: Dr. Tiffany Mitchener Office hours: Wednesdays, 8:30-9:00 am, Room #8402 Best communication is via email: [email protected] Remember…I work in busy clinics; it may take me a day or two to respond to you! ☺ 75 And finally…if you join Foothill’s Veterinary Technology Program, this is what we are striving for… 76 I solemnly dedicate myself to aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering, and 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." -- Veterinary Technician Oath 77 What is due next week? Celebrating the bond…