Pet owners expect high quality care for their four-legged family members, especially when the pet is suffering. As you know, veterinary specialists are becoming more common, and you may notice that even these specialists have very specialized technicians. Veterinary technicians who have made an extraordinary commitment to further their education and skills are making a mark in our age of specialization. Like human medicine, veterinary care has made some fantastic strides in both knowledge and technology in the last few decades. Pet owners and general practice veterinarians increasingly look to specialists, such as veterinary oncologists or veterinary dentists, to help resolve complicated problems. Veterinarians who specialize undergo a multi- year process of work, ending in an exam for board certification. In many cases, it is the equivalent to another doctorís degree. Working alongside these specialists are growing numbers of veterinary technician specialists, who carry the designation of VTS.Most people are aware that veterinarians need a knowledgeable and helpful staff for the day-to-day running of the hospital, but many donít know that some team members are actually credentialed professionals ñ usually identified as a CVT or certified veterinary technician. Beyond that, some have taken additional time to advance their knowledge and skills and have been awarded certification in one of several areas of technician specialization.In 1994, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America granted their first provisional specialty to the newly formed Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians. In this case, the term ìacademyî designates an organization that administers a formal process of education, training and testing prior to awarding recognition to individuals as ìspecialists.î Only registered, licensed or certified veterinary technicians can be part of any academy.Credentialed technicians can now choose from 11 different academies of specialization. These range from anesthesia to dentistry and internal medicine to behavior, equine care and even zoo animal medicine. To accomplish this, veterinary technicians will need to work thousands of hours in their chosen area and log dozens of cases for review. In the case of veterinary technician specialists in anesthesia, these individuals must work at least three years as a veterinary technician and submit more than 4,500 hours of work with anesthesia. During the calendar year of application, the technician must also submit 50 to 75 case logs, including at least four cases submitted in full detail to highlight the applicantís knowledge and skills. Even after all of this, extensive continuing education credits must be proven along with two letters of recommendation and the completion of the certification exam. Some academies also call for annual examinations to ensure their specialist technicians are staying up to date with the changes in veterinary medicine. Although each academy has slightly different requirements for their applicants, the Anesthesia Academyís example details just how challenging this career path can be.Whatever specialty they choose, VTSs are crucial in helping the veterinarian specialist provide the highest level of care to patients. As a case in point, veterinary emergency and critical care technicians will triage animals coming into the hospital, as well as manage the patients present in the ICU (intensive care) ward. These highly organized individuals function well under the pressure of a chaotic emergency room atmosphere, and can be an island of calm when owners are frantic and worried about their pets.Client interaction and education is another important task for veterinary technician specialists. Often, the patientís condition is complex and serious, and worried owners may not remember all of their questions or concerns while speaking with the veterinarian. By being available and knowledgeable enough to handle these situations, technician specialists will help lessen clientís fears, provide a higher level of patient care and increase their veterinarianís efficiency.Beyond specialty hospitals, veterinary technician specialists can also be found at general practice veterinary clinics, helping to educate staff members and increase the hospitalís expertise.Thereís no doubt that everyone who works in any veterinary practice, from the smallest country clinic to the largest specialty hospital, has a passion for helping pets. But, when your regular veterinarian talks about the need for a beloved fur-friend to see a specialist, it can be unnerving and stressful. Rest easy and know that dedicated doctors, along with compassionate and knowledgeable technician specialists, will do all they can to ease your petís ills and send him back home to you.Dr. Jim Humphries is a house call veterinarian in Falcon. He also serves as a visiting professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. He lives in Falcon with his wife, horses and Great Danes. http://www.MobilePetDocs.com
