Registered vs Unregistered Technicians

[Jessika]

Veterinary Technicians, to clarify.

I know you can be an "understudy" to be a technician but you are NOT a certified technician unless you take and pass your boards.

My question is... would you, as a pet owner, want an unregistered technician working on or with your animal?

Technicians are NOT legally supposed to diagnose, prognose, operate or prescribe. I read about some vet techs who never had any schooling and regularly perform routine surgeries such as spays, neuters, and declaws.

How comfortable are you with this???

Would you want an unregistered nurse doing "routine" operations on your child???

Not only that, but I'm not sure if it's technically illegal or not but having unregistered technicians working at a practice is a HUGE legal liability because if that technician does something wrong and hurts an animal and the practice gets sued, guess who is gonna be liable and lose in court? The Dr.

I just never understood how this poses such a humongous insurance liability yet some practices still allow unregistered technicians to do stuff like that! It makes me wonder now if the vets I've brought my pets to before, if I've been dealing with licensed techs or not. It's really kinda scary actually.

I WILL be registered, and I STILL won't be able to perform operations! Assist, yes, but perform, NO WAY!

PS: Sorry if this belongs in the dog house instead... wasn't quite sure where it would fit.

[sumbirdy]

My Aunt is not certified and she gets to do all the stuff you mentioned. I am studying to become a vet tech as well, and she wants me to work at the same place she is, but honestly, I'm not all too comfortable working at a place that let's uncertified vet techs do stuff like that. I really don't agree with it. And my Aunt only had 3 months of schooling and then she quit! I really don't want someone like that working on my animals. I totally believe in on-the-job experience but c'mon people have at LEAST a couple years of schooling first! Then at least you might have a clue as to what you're doing when you are ASSISTING with surgeries. I think it should be mandatory that all vet techs become certified before doing any kind of vet tech jobs.

I am going to become certified as well.

[Ginger's Mom]

To the best of my knowledge my vet does not allow the vet techs to do any of the things you mentioned. Obviously I do not know what goes on behind the closed doors, but outwardly it appears that the vet techs are there to assist and support only. As you said, ultimately, it is the doctor who is and should be held responsible for the care that the animal receives at his/her office. It all comes down to how much you trust your vet.

[Jessika]

It actually kind of angers me to think about it, because I'm payin thousands and thousands of dollars for my schooling and then you have people who just think "Oh I'll work at a clinic and get to play with dogs and cats and help the vet!" and don't ever pay a dime for schooling, and yet do stuff like perform routine surgeries! I'm not even talking about performing surgeries with the vet there, I'm talking about on their own!!!!! That absolutely APPALLS me that a veterinarian would allow something like that to happen in their clinic when THEY will be held responsible!!

So just as a warning to all you pet lovers and owners out there (well, all of us... lol) to maybe ask your vet about their technicians, make sure they're certified and make sure they are NOT performing any duties they are not legally allowed to be doing. If anything goes wrong, you can sue the living bejesus out of that vet for... well, malpractice.

[lizbud]

Well, I don't know about your state laws but, Techs can not prescribe
or dispense meds let alone perform operations in Indiana. My Vets even
display the Vet Techs licenses on the wall of the office.

[Jessika]

Well, I don't know about your state laws but, Techs can not prescribe
or dispense meds let alone perform operations in Indiana. My Vets even
display the Vet Techs licenses on the wall of the office.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal throughout the entire US... since it's regulated by a nation-wide program/association. Can't remember the name off-hand. Can look it up...

OK, it's the AVMA, American Veterinary Medical Association. Each state writes its own act, BUT the AVMA writes the Veterinary Practice Act, which basically helps to standardize the roles of the veterinarian, veterinarian technician and veterinary assistant.

The Veterinary Practice Act defines a technician's role as:

Veterinary Technicians may perform all duties of animal care and treatment EXCEPT:
1) Prescribe
2) Operate/Perform Surgery
3) Diagnose
4) Prognose

EDIT: The Veterinary Practice Act for Utah, I'm assuming: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/laws/58-28.pdf

[Alysser]

That's crazy. I didn't know you can legally become a vet technician if you aren't certified. I would NOT be comfortable with this at all. I'd much rather have a Veterinarian preform an operation on my animal then even a certified Vet tech. To my knowledge Vets go to school for 8 years, and Vet tech go to school for 4 years. I can't understand why someone would let someone who had no schooling operate on an animal, especially a pet, know matter how minor the surgery.

[Catlady711]

I'm not positive, but I think there are some states that a tech has to pass an exam to be certified (even without schooling) but does not have to be licensed. As far as I know even they are not allowed to do surgery, prescribe meds, or diagnose.

In my state techs have to be licensed and board certified then they can do dental cleanings with vet on site (but not pull teeth), give vaccinations (except for Rabies), and draw bloods but no surgeries or stuff like that. I know there's other things they do, but that's the biggies off the top of my head.

I'm not a tech, I'm an assistant so I don't even have the liberties that a tech does. I'm not allowed to do dentistries at all, give any shots or draw bloods. I do get to do alot of things that a plain kennel help person doesn't get to do though.

I wouldn't mind a certified vet tech helping within the law on my animals, however whether certified/licensed or not I wouldn't want a tech operating on my kitties!!

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I agree with cat lady... I was a vet tech assistant and vet assistant. I was allowed to draw blood, give shots, x rays, HELP in surgery,prescribe drugs, assist in dentals, BUT NEVER EVER EVER allowed to operate! I think that is irresponsible on the vets part. Legal or not!

[Jessika]

I'm speaking more in terms of insurance liability -- I understand some states you aren't allowed to become a tech without passing your boards or some sort of equivalent exam, but my point is that eventhough THIS IS THE LAW, some clinics STILL hire people on as "understudies" to the vet where the vet "Trains" them to become a tech with hands-on training, then "calls" them a tech, eventhough they have no former schooling OR certification. These techs then may or may not perform surgeries, but if you aren't licensed you shouldn't even be able to do stuff with animals such as give shots or draw blood because it's a HUGE insurance liability.

[Shelteez2]

I dunno... there's a lot of vets out there that I wouldn't let touch my pets. I wouldn't have a problem with a tech doing some things to my pets if they weren't certified, as long as they had been taught how to do said things by a vet I trusted. I do understand how you are appalled at the leagalities behind it all though.
When I worked at a vet clinic, quite a few years ago, the techs were allowed to do the cat neuters with a vet near by. I always thought that was kinda cool.

[slleipnir]

I'm actually trying to get into a school to be a VT.

I'm not positive but isn't the only difference between a reg'd tech and not is that you need to write an exam to become registered? I think none registered techs still have all the same training???

Also, I don't know how legal it is for a tech to preform those surgeries...unless it's a rat possibly.

(edit) Read some of the other posts...I see what you mean about vets hiring people off the streets and train as Techs...although I don't think they can be called a Tech until they have training? I know a girl who has done that. She is working in a clinic and does Tech work but has no training. She is still going for the course so she can be labeled as a Tech and be able to be hired by other practices if needed. You can go through the course (I think) and still be unregistered

[Jessika]

I'm actually trying to get into a school to be a VT.

I'm not positive but isn't the only difference between a reg'd tech and not is that you need to write an exam to become registered? I think none registered techs still have all the same training???

Also, I don't know how legal it is for a tech to preform those surgeries...unless it's a rat possibly.

(edit) Read some of the other posts...I see what you mean about vets hiring people off the streets and train as Techs...although I don't think they can be called a Tech until they have training? I know a girl who has done that. She is working in a clinic and does Tech work but has no training. She is still going for the course so she can be labeled as a Tech and be able to be hired by other practices if needed. You can go through the course (I think) and still be unregistered

I am going through training, but graduating alone won't get me certified. Like with a nurse, you have to pass your boards exam. I believe you can take the boards whether you've gone through school or not, but the boards is the ONLY determining factor on whether or not you become certified. Each state's is different, too, so if I want to become licensed in Missouri and Illinois, I will have to take and pass both Missouri's AND Illinois' boards.

I do not feel comfortable with an unregistered nurse working on or performing surgery on a family member, which is completely illegal, and likewise feel the same about unregistered techs and my pets (which may or may not be illegal).

[luckies4me]

I'm speaking more in terms of insurance liability -- I understand some states you aren't allowed to become a tech without passing your boards or some sort of equivalent exam, but my point is that eventhough THIS IS THE LAW, some clinics STILL hire people on as "understudies" to the vet where the vet "Trains" them to become a tech with hands-on training, then "calls" them a tech, eventhough they have no former schooling OR certification. These techs then may or may not perform surgeries, but if you aren't licensed you shouldn't even be able to do stuff with animals such as give shots or draw blood because it's a HUGE insurance liability.

Giving vaccines and drawing blood is not a huge liability. Performing surgeries yes, but giving routine vaccinations is not. For instance, say a non licensed tech gives a dog a vaccine and they have a reaction. The dog swells in the face and requires a longer stay to monitor his allergy, and the owners have to fork out more money for hospitalization, benadryl shots etc. Is that the non licensed vets fault? No. Any dog, no matter who gives a vaccine, can have a reaction.

A non licensed tech gives the vaccine in the wrong area of the body. So. A licensed tech can do the same thing. It doesn't matter if the person has a license or not, and to me it makes no difference. These people are trained to give vaccines. They just don't stick animals. They are trained the same way you could be trained if you went to school. There is no difference, except you are paying for something or getting something for free. Plain and simple.

A non licensed tech does a blood draw. The vein blows and the dog bleeds for a minute. Same can happen to a licensed vet, and it does happen, all the time.

Here in Oregon you do not have to go to school to become a tech. It's pointless really. Oregon state is a great school, but everything you learn in school you can learn in your free time studying the recommended books and working under a veterinarian who will do all your training. Why pay for school? It is a lot better to get hands on training then wait until you are out of school and pushed into the world of veterinary medicine, and a doctor calls on you to perform a duty you were NEVER taught in school, and wants it done stat, and you just stand there wanting to cry. All you need here to take the state board exam is the 4 years of working in the back (as a tech, doing tech work) under a licensed veterinarian who then verifies your employment for that four years as well as your studies and things you were taught. Then you go off and take the exam and become licensed. The same as going to school, except you are already used to being in that setting. If you do the work without a license you should be referred to as a technician's assistant, with license, LVT. We are not licensed, and referr to ourselves as "pet nurses".

I feel very comfortable with assistants and non licensed techs working on my animals. In fact, every clinic I've worked at since the age of 18 (I'm now 28) has only had about two licensed techs at the hospital, and where I work now, Banfield Pet Hospital, none of us our licensed. However, we have had EXTENSIVE training, both online in studies that have to be passed and reviewed by our corporate office, and at the hospital. Certain criteria needs to be met before we can draw blood, prep for surgery etc. Veterinary assistants draw blood, give vaccines, give exams everyday. We would NEVER be allowed to do a surgery ever. That is unethical, unsafe, and just plain stupid on the clinics part. I don't know what clinics you've been to or heard of, but I have never heard of any technician being allowed to do surgeries.

At Banfield our job as petnurses (we do not refer to ourselves as technicians) is to gather information from the client before the exam is performed by the veterinarian, draw blood and run blood on the CBC machine etc so blood work is ready when the doctor arrives for surgery in the morning, get the tono on dogs, fecal exams, temp, etc. During surgery we monitor patients anesthesia, blood pressure, pulse etc while the doctor does the work. We do generalized prep for surgery, like scrubbing the spay patient etc. One thing we are not allowed to do? Insert catheters. We used to be able to, but Banfield changed their policy as well as Oregon law, and we no longer put the catheters in.

When I started going to vet school I actually stopped. It was a waste of my money as I pretty much new most of everything already. Going to school for something I already know? Nope. Not gonna waste money on that, that's for sure! I do plan on going to vet school at Oregon State soon, but that's completely different territory. That is going to be extensive training. Heck, in all honesty I do not know if I'll be able to get through it.

People give vaccines to their pets themselves all the time. You can buy them at any feed or pet supply store that sells them. It's not regulated at all, and people do this every day. I vaccinate all my rescue kittens myself. There's no way I'm going to fork out 100 bucks for each pet when the routine care can be done for 20. I know all too well the ways in which clinics overcharge their clients, as I've been doing this for 10 years. As much as people don't want to believe this, 90% of vets are in it for the money, not to help the animals. It's horrible.

At Banfield we cannot take rediographs without a trip up to Portland for schooling on how to do so, and then we recieve a certificate through the state saying we are competent enough to do this.

The same as dental cleanings. We have to go to Portland again and take a class on how to do this, with massive training before we are allowed to do this, unless of course, we can prove we've been doing this for ages. We don't just throw people into it, that's horrible. However, some clinics do, and that's the sad part.

The first clinic I worked at was the worst. We had a non licensed vet there performing surgeries on animals every day. He was from Pakistan and licensed there, but not in the US. AND, the doctor who works with him now works for Banfield! I hated that place. They made me assist in surgeries all the time, when I knew absolutely nothing about what they were doing. I was basically a slave to them. These are the clinics you are talking about. A few years after I quit, the practice shut down. I wonder why.

I remember them doing an abscess surgery on my cat and she started to wake up during the surgery. They just kept going! That is what made me quit. I didn't want to be involved with people like that. Plus, Dr. Goraya pretty much just gave me his cat as he didn't want it. The cat was used as a blood donor for the cats who needed blood, and when he wasn't good enough to be used anymore they basically kicked him out the door. It's not only the techs and assistants you need to watch out for, it's also the veterinarians.

I would never allow a tech to do surgery on my pet. I would be absolutely furious! I plan on taking the state exam some time or another, but it won't change anything for me. I already know all the information, and here, getting a job is so easy that it doesn't matter if you're licensed or not, and the pay still stays the same. The reason being is that it's cheaper for a clinic to hire someone who is unlicensed than someone who is. If I became licensed and left Banfield I would have a heck of a time finding a job at another clinic in town, because they'd be too afraid to hire me because of wage earnings. It's all about the money. Hopefully one day it will be all about the animals.

When I'm done with vet school I do not plan on hiring non licensed techs. Everyone of them will be licensed, and the assistants will not be allowed to do the techs work, just basic care, like kennel cleaning, assisting in restraining etc.

Sorry for such a long post, but I feel that people like us deserve respect for all the hard work we do. Most of us recieve most of if not more of the training that is received in school, and work very hard to get where we are. I would never do anything to put a animal in harms way, and I'm pretty sure neither would anyone I work with.

[Jessika]

I'm sorry if my post has offended you in any way, as that obviously isn't my intention. However I have to be honest and say I'm just not comfortable with an unlicensed technician working on my animal. I KNOW you don't have to be licensed to draw blood or give vaccinations (if vaccinations were the case they wouldn't have the "DIY" kits being sold).

My point is just that there is a lot more technical aspects that go into being a technician that being an understudy just won't cover. That covers procedures but really nothing else... I'm sure you learn as you go, but I certainly wouldn't want someone learning on my dog as they go... do you kinda see what I'm saying?

Almost the same concept as, for example, anyone off the street is pulled into a hospital and follows around a doctor and calls themselves a nurse. Would you feel comfortable with your loved one in the care of that "nurse"?

I'm sorry that I just don't feel comfortable with it. I do know that many veterinarians/clinics are now hiring only certified technicians from schools because they get trained in how to perform blood work (not just draw blood samples and make smears) as well as touch base on dentistry and just... holy cow, after three weeks of material in school, I would never want to just "jump into" it without learning it beforehand.

Plus I'm not sure about other schools but with mine I know I will become certified to give anesthesia (not sure if that's all technicians or not or that you HAVE to be certified to give anesthesia, but again, I just wouldn't feel comfortable with doing it without prior training first).

I guess I'm looking at this from a pet-owner's view. I just wouldn't want my dog to be someone's practice on drawing blood or giving a vaccination or whatever, you know?

EDIT:Please don't think that I'm questioning your knowledge or ability, I'm just not comfortable with an unlicensed tech working on my animal.