Veterinary Technicians 101

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Veterinary Technicians 101
In cooperation with The Emma Barnsley
Foundation The PEER Program at Texas AM
College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical
Sciences
http//peer.tamu.edu/
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A Career Worth Barking About
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Who We Are

• Veterinary technicians work under the supervision
  of a licensed veterinarian to treat or to help
  veterinarians diagnose the illnesses and injuries
  of animals.

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What We Do

• Obtain and record patient case histories
• Collect specimens and perform laboratory
  procedures
• Provide specialized nursing care
• Prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for
  surgery
• Assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical
  procedures
• Expose and develop x-rays
• Supervise and train practice personnel
• Stock and maintain medicines and supplies

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Education Requirements

• 2 year associates degree in veterinary
  technology
• 191 veterinary technology programs accredited by
  the American Veterinary Medical Association
• Veterinary Technician National Exam
• Licensed Veterinary Technician
• Texas State Regulatory Examination
• Registered Veterinary Technician

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Career Outlook

• Employment expected to grow 52 by the end of the
  decade
• In the top 10 of growing occupations in the
  country
• Increased demand to support public health, food
  animal safety, national disease control programs,
  and biomedical research

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The Career Field
Food Safety
Small and large animal clinics
Disaster and emergency response
Research and laboratory settings
Animal shelters or rescue organizations
Educational setting
Exotic and zoo animals
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Specialization

• Anesthesia
• Surgical
• Internal medicine
• Dental
• Emergency and critical care
• Behavior
• Zoo
• Equine
• Clinical practice
• Nutrition

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A Day In The Life of a Radiation Therapist

• Examine machines to ensure they are safe and
  working properly
• Explain treatment plans to clients and answer
  questions
• Follow safety procedures to protect the patient
  and myself from overexposure
• Check the computer programs to ensure the correct
  dose of radiation is given to the correct area of
  the patient's body

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Radiation Therapist

• Operate the equipment to treat patient with
  radiation
• Monitor the patient to check for unusual
  reactions to the treatment
• Keep detailed records of treatment

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Computed Tomography (CT)

• Use daily CT imaging to guide treatment based on
  patient anatomy for that day
• Surround the target with highly-precise radiation
  delivered from all angles
• Minimize radiation exposure to healthy tissue
• Adapt the treatment plan at any point

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Tomo Therapy

• Unique design allows treatments to be delivered
  continuously, from all angles around the patient
• More beam directions give physicians more
  control in planning treatments
• Dose is better confined to the tumor, reducing
  the risk of short- and long-term side effects

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A Day In The Life of a Feline Internal Medicine
Technician

• Assist with appointments
• Patient Advocate
• Nursing Care
• Teach veterinary students
• Endoscopy

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Feline Internal Medicine Technician

• Sample Collection
• Venipuncture
• Cystocentesis
• Assist in Procedures
• Feeding Tubes
• Joint Taps
• Abdominocentesis
• Thoracocentesis

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Patient Care
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Canine Blood Donors

• Blood shortages impact animal hospitals
• Texas AM Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital
  houses a blood bank
• Donor pets help keep a steady supply of blood and
  blood components on hand for emergencies

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Questions
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Be sure to visit the PEER Program website for
videos and lessons!
http//peer.tamu.edu/
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Thank you!

• Brought to you by
• The Emma Barnsley Foundation
• The PEER Program at
• Texas AM College of Veterinary Medicine
  Biomedical Sciences