Animal Health Technicians and Technologists - PEIVMA Guidelines and Information from CAAHTT

The guidelines outlined below were passed as PEIVMA policy at the annual general meeting in November 1992.

Guidelines for Animal Health Technicians

1. Definitions

(a) Animal Health Technician (AHT) means a person who is knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, in the basic principles of normal and abnormal life functions and in laboratory and clinical procedures, and who shall not diagnose, prescribe or initiate treatment and shall not perform surgery unless under the direction of a veterinarian and is a member of the Eastern Animal Health Technician Association of Canada and holds a certificate or diploma from a school approved by council. 

(b) Indirect Supervision means that the veterinarian is not necessary on the premises, in a veterinary facility or a range setting, but has either oral or written instructions for the treatment of the animal patient, and that the patient has been examined by a veterinarian at such times as good veterinary practice requires consistent with the particular delegated procedure or treatment and the animal is not anaesthetized.

(c) Direct Supervision means the veterinarian is on the premises in a veterinary facility or a range setting and is available and that the animal has been examined at such times as good veterinary practice requires consistent with the particular delegated procedure or treatment.

(d) Direct Personal Supervision means the veterinarian has direct audio and visual contact with employee performing the designated procedures or treatment. 

2. Employment of technician and collecting fees for services is in accordance with Sections 4 of the PEIVMA Act. 

3. Unbecoming professional conduct by technician in accordance with Section 15 of the Act. 

4. Appropriate Actions of an AHT 

(1) The following actions are subject to the AHT being employed by a licensed veterinarian and performing the following duties under indirect, direct and direct personal supervision in a veterinary facility or range setting. 

(2) Technical Skills

(a) using EKG machine if required

(b) collecting blood samples of both large and small animals

(c) usage and application of both urinary and intravenous catheters

(d) proficiency in all common administration routes: subQ, IM, ID, rectal, oral, topical, IV, intraperitoneal and intercardial. 

(3) Laboratory Work

(a) collecting, storing and preparing samples for appropriate tests.

(b) performing most common hematological, urinary parasitological evaluations. 

(4) Handling and Restraint of Animals

(a) applying appropriate manual restraint methods as indicated by type of animal and situation.

(b) if directed by veterinarian be able to use chemical restraints under direct supervision.

(5) Animal Nursing and Treatment

(a) interpreting, dispensing of prescription instructions

(b) preparing medications

(c) applying splints

(d) administering and monitoring fluid therapy

(e) performing pre- and post-operative procedures

(f) nursing of clinical cases and hospitalized animals.

(6) Preventative Medical Techniques

(a) performing foot care

(b) anal gland expression

(c) cleaning and grooming of animals if required

(d) performing dental care procedures under direct supervision

(e) administering authorized anthelmintics.

(7) Radiography

(a) preparing animal for radiographs

(b) performing most common forms of contrast radiography

(c) taking and developing radiographs

(8) Anaesthesia

(a) if required, preparing and administering the following types of anesthetics under direct personal supervision: intravenous barbiturates, gas anaesthetics, sedations of pre-medications, tranquilizers and local anesthetics.

(b) calculation of dosage according to drug direction

(c) intubating animals

(d) setting up and operating gas anesthetic machines

(e) recognizing normal and abnormal reaction to anesthetics

(f) assessing planes of anesthesia

(g) performing procedures as directed.

(9) Surgical Techniques

(a) preparing the animal for surgery

(b) acting as circulating assistant

(c) acting as surgical assistant if required

(d) performing minor surgery upon discretion of the veterinarian under direct personal supervision. Note CVMA council position on surgical procedures March, 1990: “That all surgical procedures done on animals should be performed by or under direct supervision of a veterinarian.”

(10) Emergency procedures

(a) assessing vital signs

(b) establishing a patent airway

(c) administering oxygen therapy

(d) administering of emergency drugs if directed.

(e) administering first aid treatment

The information below is from the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technicians and Technologists

Animal Health Technologists

AHT stands for Animal Health Technologist or Technician. They are also called Veterinary Technologists or Technicians (VT) depending upon the province. An AHT/VT is a college graduate who is trained to work with animals in veterinary practice or other related fields such as pharmaceutical companies, zoo medicine, humane societies, federal or provincial governments, meat inspection, and research facilities.

AHT/VTs complete a two or three year accredited program of study in which they receive a general education in biology and chemistry. As well, they receive more specific training in veterinary medicine in anatomy, physiology, haematology, animal diseases, anaesthesiology, radiology, surgical nursing, pharmacology, veterinary terminology, and veterinary office management.

Upon completion of their diploma, AHT/VTs can voluntarily take a national standardized exam which, once passed, enables them to use the title Registered Veterinary Technologist/Technician (RVT). Those who chose to become RVTs must then attend a minimum amount of continuing education each year in order to maintain their registered status. Both registration and continuing education credits are recorded and enforced by the provincial associations.

In veterinary practice and hospitals, AHT/VTs do similar work with animals that nurses and other technical workers do in hospitals and clinics for people.

The following is a list of AHT/VTs' major responsibilities in veterinary practice:

Anesthesia
Animal Nursing
Radiology
Client Education
Surgical Assistance
Laboratory Procedures
Hospital Management
Nutritional Consultants
Pharmacy Management

More information can be obtained from the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technicians and Technologists at the following website: http://www.caahtt-acttsa.ca