Veterinary Technicians Work Behind the Hospital Scene

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) operates at a demanding pace, with a revolving door of patients, students and doctors. From the moment a patient is admitted and throughout any procedure, the technicians remain the constant.

"We're here all the time," ophthalmology technician Kim Sherman says. "With a change over of staffing and students rotating every two weeks, the techs are the continuity that keeps the place together."

Patient care is the primary focus

At the VMTH, techs are assigned to a specific specialty area; a major difference from private practices where a tech usually works closely with the clients and performs the full range of duties. By specializing, the techs at the VMTH are more knowledgeable about a specific area and its related equipment.

"You still know a wide range of duties, although you concentrate on one specific area more," Sherman notes. Taking a walk through the VMTH, one finds techs with responsibilities behind the scenes while others frequently are educating clients. In one room a vet tech is administering chemotherapy while in the next a tech assists a dog in physical therapy. Moving on, a tech places a catheter in a cat that needs intravenous fluids, while other techs monitor an anesthesia case. Continuing to large animals, a vet tech takes blood from a donor cow while another is caring for a premature foal.

Technicians motivated by chance to guide veterinary students In addition to making sure that their specified areas are running smoothly, techs help in the training of the veterinary students. According to critical care unit technician Lisa Anderson, the technician specialization that occurs at the VMTH benefits both the patient and the veterinary students. "The technicians work one on one with the students to teach them the technical skills and patient handling," she says. "We teach the students how to relate to clients in simpler terms," Sherman adds.

Detailed training provides technicians with expertise

A technician typically has two to four years of schooling, obtaining an associates or a bachelor's degree, before taking an exam to receive a license to practice. Having the opportunity to educate clients and work with animals motivates many technicians.

"There is a lot of variety, it's not like sitting at a keyboard all day," Sherman syas. "You have a lot of responsibility mixed with the freedom to prioritize. (Everyone) here is open to suggestions."

National Veterinary Technician Week, from October 13-19, brings formal recognition to veterinary Technicians.

Chris Nietupski
Fall 2002 OnCall