The Veterinary Technician Profession

VTNE: Veterinary Technician National Examination

The veterinary technician profession has undergone many changes and experienced tremendous growth over the past 15 years. Unless you know the history, and have been a technician from the beginning it can be very difficult trying to keep up with all of the changes. This document will hopefully clarify the organizational structure of the veterinary profession. Its goal is to provide resources for obtaining assistance, guidance and support necessary for the continuation of our growth. The future is promising and if we continue to work as a team we can accomplish our dreams and goals.  

AVMA is the authorized voice for the veterinary profession. The association provides a forum for the discussion of issues of importance to the veterinary profession, and for the development of official positions. As the parent organization, AVMA keeps its allied organizations informed on matters of concern to the profession and receives valuable information from those organizations. AVMA councils study problems and recommends appropriate action to the policy-making and governing bodies.

Today there are over 70 college programs for veterinary technicians, which are accredited by the AVMA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Graduates of AVMA accredited college level programs in veterinary technology are generally referred to as veterinary technicians. However, the terminology may differ slightly at various schools, or with individual state laws and regulations. The course of formal study entails at least two academic years, leading to an Associate in Applied Science or equivalent degree with a four-year degree available at some institutions.

Many employees in veterinary hospitals, research institutions, and other animal care facilities have received training on the job, in secondary schools, or at less than the two-year college level. These individuals are commonly called animal attendants, animal caretakers, hospital attendants, animal ward nurses, animal health assistants, or veterinary assistants.

Currently, the following states do not have laws or regulations governing registration of veterinary technicians: Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. However, in approximately 40 states and provinces, veterinary technicians are certified, registered, or licensed. Candidates are tested for competency through an examination, which may include oral, written, and practical exam portions. A State Board of Veterinary Examiners, or the appropriate state agency regulates this process. State regulations for Veterinary Technician registration varies with each state. Veterinary State Practice acts, often define the responsibilities of the veterinary technician. These responsibilities and duties are dependent in part on the type of employment the individual chooses.

A standard title is not used to identify technicians throughout each state. Each state sets its' on guidelines for what a veterinary technician should be titled, and how they are registered and what that means. At present there are many different titles for technicians;

AHT - Animal Health Technician, AT - Animal Technician, VT - Veterinary Technician, RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician, CVT - Certified Veterinary Technician, LVT - Licensed Veterinary Technician.

The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is the Licensing Agency for veterinarians in Texas. TSBVME appointed TVMA to oversee technician issues in the state of Texas and the duty of administering the registration of veterinary technicians. A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the state of Texas is one who has passed the VTNE and state examinations. TVMA administers the VTNE and state examination, once a year, and regulates the registration of technicians in the State of Texas. Currently in Texas, in order to take the exams, technicians must have graduated from an AVMA accredited program or had previous certification as a RVT in Texas. Texas now has 5 AVMA accredited programs in Veterinary Technology, which are:

Palo Alto College
Veterinary Technology Program
1400 West Villaret Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78224-2499
Director-John Golden, DVM-210/531-8705
Assistant Laurie Pawelek, RVT-210/531-8709
Email: lpawelek@accdvm.edu
Provisional Accreditation 1998

Cedar Valley College Veterinary Technology Program
3030 N. Dallas Ave.
Lancaster, TX 75134
 Director-Brian Heims, DVM
972/860-8019
Assistant- Carol LaSure-Hearne
972/860-8160
Email:cal3505@dcccd.edu
2 years - Accreditation - November 1978

Sul Ross State University
Range Animal Science Department-Veterinary Technology Program
Alpine, TX 78930
Director-Ernest Reesing, DVM-
915/837-8205
Assistant-915/837-8200
Initial Accreditation - November 1977
Full Accreditation

Midland College Veterinary Technology Program-
3600 N. Garfield
Midland, TX 79705
Director-Kerry Coombs, DVM
915/685-4619
Assistant-915/685-6498
Initial Accreditation - November 1992
Provisional Accreditation

Tomball College Veterinary Technology Program
30555 Tomball Pkwy.
Tomball, TX 77375-4036
George Younger, DVM Director
281/351-3357
Assistant - Kathleen Diamond, RVT-281/351-3358
Initial Accreditation - April 1990/ Full Accreditation
www.tomballcollege.com
 (Vet Tech is under "Degree Programs").

Texas will allow technicians from other states to transfer and take the test only if they are graduates of an AVMA accredited program or through an AVMA approved Veterinary Technology Distance Education Learning Program (DELP). At this time there are only two approved AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology DELP. One program is the St. Petersburg Junior College Veterinary Technology DELP and the other is Cedar Valley College, Veterinary Technology DELP.

The Veterinary Technology Associate in Science Degree Program from St. Petersburg Junior College is available by distance learning. Applicants have to be approved and priority is given to those who have completed all or most of the general education courses. Students must subscribe to America Online and Veterinary Information Network or use their veterinarian's subscriptions. Local college test administrators and employers proctor the exams. Laboratory final practical exams may be on-campus at SPJC or at other veterinary technology programs by special arrangement. All classes hold weekly conferences online in the evening from 7-10pm Eastern Standard Time. Laboratory courses require the host veterinarians or their employees to help teach and evaluate the student's lab skills. Students who pass the program are then eligible to take the Texas State Board and National exam. If they successfully complete the exams then they will become registered.

The Distance Education Veterinary Technology Program at Cedar Valley  is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association  as a program for educating veterinary technicians. This program is a unique approach to the education of veterinary technicians.  It is composed of four levels of instruction as well as general education courses.  When combined, it is the equivalent of Cedar Valley College's onsite veterinary technology program.  However, the curriculum is broken down into different courses than that of the onsite program.

These two programs are the only Distance Education Learning Program, which enables a person to achieve the title of Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Texas at this time.

The SBVME assigned TVMA the duty of registering the states RVT's. New registrants may qualify by successfully completing the Texas State Board and National exams. Technicians registered in another state, who have passed the VTNE, may only be required to take the practical portion of the exam when applying for Texas registration. The exams are given once a year, and administered in June. The costs of the examinations are as follows:

$175 (covers both examinations and registration for first year)

$105 VTNE (if taken alone)

$85 state (if taken alone)

The TVMA requires that registration be maintained annually by RVT's. Five hours of TVMA approved continuing education are required to register annually. The fiscal year runs from June 1-May 31. CE credit is based on one hour of credit per one hour of lecture time.

Texas and the Veterinary Technician Profession

When TVMA was assigned the duty of registering RVT's, it tasked the Employee Improvement Committee (EIC) to undertake the responsibility. However, the veterinary technician profession has grown and undergone many changes during the past few years. In Texas there are approximately 750 Registered Veterinary Technicians compared to the 3,000 to 5,000 non-registered technicians. Today, RVT issues are dominating the EIC's agenda. The committee has little time left to deal with its original purpose, which is to improve the skills and performance of everyone employed in the veterinary setting, including associate veterinarians. In an effort to address the issues and concerns of technicians, TVMA decided to reorganize their organizational structure and create committees, which could deal with specific technician issues and concerns.

During the past three years registered technicians and other members of the health care team have expressed concern over several issues. TVMA initiated dialog with the RVT community by hosting a meeting at the TVMA office in Austin. TVMA invited TARVT leadership and representatives from the TAMU-CVM teaching hospital to attend and join the discussion of issues. During this meeting ad-hoc committees where created to address the major issues and areas of concern and try recommend solutions. After discussion it was agreed to address the three major areas of concern. The first issue concerned existing policies and communications between the TVMA and TARVT associations, RVT's and non-registered personnel. The second issue of concern was over a proposed RVT name change, and the final issue was over the Non-registered Technician Task Force. Since November of 1997, these meetings have continued, and as a result many positive changes have taken place.

Since TVMA oversees technician issues in the state of Texas, they began the process of addressing the first issue regarding existing policies and regulations. TVMA has worked very hard at improving communications with the veterinary technician community. In addition, TVMA staff has made substantial improvements to the internal administration over RVT registration and record keeping. Additionally, the TVMA Board of Directors approved reorganization in its committee structure to better serve the needs of registered Veterinary Technicians and other practice employees. In addition with the Employee Improvement Committee, three new Special Interest Committees where formed. The new Special Interest Committees formed are, the "Technician Oversight Committee", and two subcommittees, the "RVT Exam Subcommittee" and the "RVT Review Subcommittee".

The "TVMA Board of Directors" restructuring works to resolve existing and future issues. The governance and support structure for veterinary technicians in Texas is described below.

"TVMA Board of Directors" - The BOD is the policy making body of TVMA, and receives resolutions from committees of the association. The resolutions adopted by the BOD become the policy of the association. The BOD is the final level of appeal and the final level of authority with respect to issues related to veterinary technicians.

"Employee Improvement Committee" - is responsible for developing and recommending educational programs for veterinary employees. In addition the committee will adopt, maintain, and monitor a tiered system of employee competencies. Finally the committee will educate the DVM's in the appropriate use and economic benefits of technicians and other employees on the health care team. The committee will address these goals through the following activities:

• Develop and recommend to the TVMA Executive Board policies for implementing an employee classification plan for non-registered personnel engaged in animal care within the veterinary clinic or hospital.

• Develop and recommend to the TVMA Executive Board policies for implementing a certification plan for non-registered personnel.

• Adopt an approved curriculum designed to assist non-registered personnel in preparing for the various certification examinations.

• Continually review, revise and improve materials and procedures for employee training and certification of non-registered personnel.

"Technician Oversight Committee" (TOC) - is responsible for overseeing and implementing veterinary technicians in Texas, including:

• Recommend policy and rules to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity, skill, and performance in the field of veterinary technology.

• Receive reports from TARVT at each meeting of the committee.

• Receive reports from the "RVT Exam Subcommittee" and the "VT Review Subcommittee" at each meeting of the committee.

• Based on these reports, the committee may adopt resolutions for presentation to the TVMA-BOD designed to carry out its committee responsibilities.

• Make recommendations to the Legislative committee.

(Chairperson - Dr. Tony Meyers)

"RVT Exam Subcommittee" - has responsibility to administering the state portion of the annual RVT certification, including:

• Construct, review and revise the state portion of the annual examination

• Assist TVMA staff in the administration of the annual examination

• Review student results from the annual examination and recommend changes for the following year

(Chairperson Dr. Lucy Chitwood)

"Technician Review Subcommittee" - has responsibility for overseeing the TVMA staff in its implementation of the RVT registration and record-keeping function and for providing an appeal process for registered veterinary technicians, including:

• Hear appeals from technicians

• Adjudicate disputes between Veterinary Technicians and TVMA staff

• Recommend rules and other policy language to the Technician Oversight Committee

• Advise TVMA staff on interpretation of rules and other policy issues

(Chairperson-Dr. George Younger)

On January 30, 1999, Dr. Tony Meyer presented to the BOD several resolutions from the TOC. A motion was made and carried for TVMA to adopt the Registered Veterinary Technician Program Standard Operating Procedures as a reference to the standard operating procedures for registered veterinary technicians. A motion was made and carried for TVMA to support the change in nomenclature from Registered Veterinary Technician to Registered Veterinary Nurse and also support the Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians during the legislative term to reflect nomenclature changes in the Veterinary Practice Act. A motion was made and carried that all technicians who want to serve on TVMA committees be members of TARVT, because TARVT members are both registered and non-registered technicians.

Dr. Lucy Chitwood, chairperson for the RVT Exam Subcommittee reported that the committee would like to improve the exam slides.

The second issue to be addressed regarded a title change for Registered Veterinary Technicians. Prior to the first meeting of the TVMA-technician ad-hoc committee, the State Association for Registered Veterinary Technicians, (TARVT) proposed a change from the official designation of "Registered Veterinary Technician" to "Registered Veterinary Nurse". This was an attempt to "elevate" the status of RVT's and further differentiate themselves from veterinary technicians who are not registered. The Association voted on this change amongst its members and the majority wished to adopt the name change. However, TARVT, is not a complete representation of all RVT's in Texas. There was some concern amongst RVT's who where not members of TARVT, and did not want the name change. Problems surfaced again when it was discovered that the term "nurse" is a trademark of Registered Nurses (RN). There is a statute in Texas that prohibits others from using the designation that tends to imply that the person is a Registered Nurse (RN), when they are not. This particular statute identifies the term "Registered" as a licensed individual. In the state of Texas, registered veterinary technicians are not licensed. TVMA agreed to research the issue and consulted a law firm. After consulting a law firm, it was suggested that TARVT might be able to make the name change. However, it was recommended that TARVT speak with the Texas Nursing Association and explain the reason for the requested name change. It was also recommended that if TARVT proceeded with the name change, a complete census be documented and an official document be drawn up regarding the advisement of legal council, in the event RN's where to contest the use of the word "nurse". TVMA has agreed to fund these endeavors. In January, TVMA proposed this change in title to the TVMA Board of Directors, it was accepted and sent to the Texas Legislature. On March 29^th, the House of Agriculture and Livestock Committee favorably reported HB2470 that amends the Veterinary Licensing Act to permit Registered Veterinary Technicians ("RVTs") to use the title "Registered Veterinary Nurse." The bill was sent to the House Calendars Committee for setting on the House Calendar for a vote. It is unknown when the Calendars Committee might set the bill for a floor vote.

The final issue concerned developing a program for standardized training and a tiered classification system of non-registered technicians in the state of Texas. Veterinarians, who where members of TVMA, asked for a system that would help TVMA members recognize skill levels and create some form of standardized training for non-registered veterinary technicians. Thus, TVMA's Executive Board created the "TVMA Technician Task Force", in 1996, to address the concerns and develop this type of a program. The technician task force and the program directors from the following accredited RVT programs in Texas; Palo Alto College, Sul Ross State University, Midland Community College, and Tomball College, are developing a distance education training program to train and certify non registered veterinary technicians. Their purpose was to develop and initiate a training plan for technicians by determining the needs of non-registered technicians and write a strategic plan. The final proposal for the program was presented to the TVMA Board of Directors at the TVMA Annual Conference, on January 30, 1999. To implement this plan, it will be necessary to have another task force. The motion was made to approve and accept the training plan, "A Plan for Veterinary Technician Training and Certification in Texas. This plan hopes to reach 5,000 persons who have no other access to learn this information.  Level 1 and Level 2 and  have been complete and are available.

Organizations & Publications for Veterinary Technicians

The veterinary technician profession has made many advances in the field of veterinary medicine and the profession continues to grow more each year. Veterinary technicians now have a choice of many different state and local organizations, which provide a means of communication, guidance, education, employment services and support, to those who wish to become members.

Technicians who are registered in the state of Texas receive publications of the TVMA FYI Newsletter and The Texas Veterinarian. The TVMA office is located in Austin, Texas. The new president of TVMA is Dr. Guy Johnsen, , from El Paso. The TVMA Executive Director is Elbert C. Hutchins. Michelle Sosa is the RVT Program Coordinator with TVMA, and manages the record keeping, examination and registration program for registered veterinary technicians. TVMA is currently working on creating a technician forum, which will be a resource site for veterinary technicians, and a place that they could address issues and concerns and discuss topics of interest.

Leaders of these groups have formed the North American Veterinary Technician Association, (NAVTA) a national organization for veterinary technicians. Any member of the veterinary health care team can be a NAVTA member, as either an active or associate member. An active member is a veterinary technician who has graduated from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and/or is licensed, certified, or registered as a veterinary technician. Active members are entitled to vote and hold an elected office. An associate member is anyone who is not eligible for active membership, but is interested in the Association's goals. Associate members can serve on committees, but may not vote or hold an elected office. To find out more information about NAVTA, visit the web site at: http://www.avma.org/navta/default.htm or you can write NAVTA at: P.O. Box 224 Battleground, IN 47920, Phone or fax (765) 742-2216 or e-mail NAVTA@compuserve.com

Veterinary technicians have expressed a growing interest in attaining higher levels of recognition for advanced knowledge and skills in specialized areas. As a result, veterinary technician specialties are the next step for advancing technicians into the next century. NAVTA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties is the governing body for granting specialty status. In 1994, NAVTA created (CVTS) the Committee of Veterinary Specialties. The committee develops guidelines for groups that are interested in seeking specialty certification.

The first step in the process is for a group of veterinary technicians interested in a specific area of veterinary medicine/technology to form a society. The purpose of the society is to draw together veterinary technicians for sharing information related to the specialized field of interest. There are currently three recognized veterinary technician societies:

Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS)
8015 Broadway, Suite 201
San Antonio, Texas 78209

Veterinary Technician Anesthetist Society (VTAS)
C/o Paige Jones, RVT
2013 Elk St.
Lafayette, IN 47904-1516

American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians
P.O. Box 1636
Venice, FL. 34284-1636

As a society grows, the group may choose to move to the next level by petitioning the CVTS to be recognized as an Academy. It is here that the advanced educational requirements and examination process are established for veterinary technicians who want to become specialists. The petitioning process is very involved with the majority of the work done by the organizing committee of the Academy.

Currently there are two specialty groups that have been granted provisional status. The first specialty group of veterinary technicians to be recognized was the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT). You can visit the AVCCT web site at http://veccs.org/technicians/index.cfm or write:

Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians
Organizing Committee
C/o VECCS
15729 San Pedro
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 826-1488

A technician who is eligible for specialty credentialing by AVECCT, possesses all the requirements and successfully passes the examination will be known as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care. These individuals may use the initials VTS (Emergency and Critical Care), following their names.

NAVTA's committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS) announced its decision to grant provisional recognition to the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA). The announcement was made at the NAVTA general membership January meeting in Las Vegas, NV. This recognition now offers the organizing committee of the AVTA the opportunity to move forward in the development of advanced education in the field of anesthesia, critical knowledge skills, case record materials, and ultimately an examination for qualified candidates to demonstrate advanced competency in veterinary anesthesia. AVTA expects this next step in the process to take up to two years.

Veterinary Technician Memberships

There are several organizations or associations available to veterinary technicians and other members of the veterinary health care team. All of these organizations share common goals. Through newsletters, seminars or publications, they all provide direction, education, support, and help promote the veterinary health care team and strive to maintain competent care and humane treatment of animals.

Listed below are some of the organizations:

• Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians (TARVT)

• Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society-(VECCS)

• North American Veterinary Technician Association- (NAVTA)

• International Veterinary Nurses and Technician Association (IVNA)

• Veterinary Technician Anesthetist Society (VTAS)

• The Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians -(AZVT)

Listed below are several magazines, which are for veterinary technicians and all members of the health care team:

• Veterinary Learning Systems "Veterinary Technician" & "Compendium" http://www.vetlearn.com/

• "Lab Animal Magazine" -http://www.labanimal.com
  
  

• "Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association" (JAVMA)
  http://www.avma.org

• "DVM Magazine" - The news magazine of Veterinary Medicine-
  (http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/)

• Veterinary Medicine Publishing Group "Veterinary Economics", "Veterinary Medicine", & "First Line" http://www.vetmedpub.com/index.htm

• "Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Journal"

• Veterinary Practice Publishing Company - "Veterinary Practice News"     GREAT PUBLICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

The wave of the future is computer technology and it is only right that we list web sites, which are related to the veterinary profession, animals, pet care, and all aspects of veterinary medicine. Below we have listed several sites:

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS http://www.acvs.org/

AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION http://www.avma.org/

ELECTRONIC ZOO http://www.avma.org/netvet/e-zoo.htm

NETVET     http://netvet.wustl.edu/

THE TAMU-CVM VETERINARY TECHNICIAN COMMUNITY
www.cvm.tamu.edu/vth-tech

TEXAS VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION   http://www.tvma.org

Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians  http://www.tarvt.com

VETERINARY MEDICINE PUBLISHING GROUP http://www.vetmedpub.com/

VETINFO   http://www.vetinfo.com/

VETSCAPE http://www.vetscape.co.uk/

Our profession is growing by leaps and bounds, and our future is one of unlimited potential. So take some time, invest in your future, and become involved, it’s the only way to make sure your voice is heard. The choice is yours!

Comments welcome, please e-mail Kim Pavelock at  Kpavelock@cvm.tamu.edu