Carolina Veterinary Specialists uses the titles of doctor, intern and technician to differentiate among people who cared for Champ, indicating that certain education and qualification requirements have been met and that they are licensed or registered with the Board.
The North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act states:
“Veterinary Technician” means either of the following persons
a. A person who has successfully completed a post-high school course in the care and treatment of animals that conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association and who is registered with the Board as a veterinary technician.
b. A person who holds a degree in veterinary medicine from a college of veterinary medicine recognized by the Board for licensure of veterinarians and who is registered with the Board as a veterinary technician.
The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board states:
Use of the term “Veterinary Technician”
General Statute 90-181(11) reserves the term Veterinary Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician, or Technician for a person that has graduated from an AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) accredited program in veterinary technology, is registered with this Board, and maintains that registration. In the State of North Carolina, if a person is not registered as a veterinary technician, to directly or indirectly imply such is a misrepresentation to the public and a violation of the Veterinary Practice Act.
What duties can a “Veterinary Technician” perform?
General Statute 90-187.6(c) states a veterinary technician may, under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, assist in diagnosis, laboratory analysis, anesthesia, surgical procedures, and perform the following duties: collection of specimen, testing for intestinal parasites, collecting blood, testing for heartworms and conducting other laboratory tests, taking radiographs and cleaning & polishing teeth. (Microchipping – see number 36.) They may NOT perform any act producing an irreversible change in the animal (e.g. pulling a tooth).
Carolina Veterinary Specialists advertises numerous job offerings for Veterinary Technicians stating:
“Veterinary Technician” qualifications and/or duties include
- Credentialed technician preferred but not required of the right candidate.
- At least 1 year of experience as an assistant/technician.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Responsible for all aspects of the Emergency and ICU departments including patient triage, history-taking, performing diagnostics, patient restraint, administering and monitoring anesthesia, assisting in diagnostic and surgical procedures, medication administration and refills, patient discharges, hourly treatments, directly overseeing critical patients, communicating/updating doctors and staff about their patients in ICU.
- Performing diagnostics prior to surgery, such as blood work, radiography, CT and MRI scans, ultrasonography and more, venipuncture and a variety of catheterizations, client communication and education, administration of chemotherapeutic and radiation to oncology patients, administering and monitoring anesthesia in the pre-, peri-, and post-operative periods, maintaining treatment while in hospital post-operatively, performing CPR and other life-saving measures.
- Performing a variety of standard and advanced patient treatments including oxygen and nebulizer therapy, CRI’s, wound treatment/drain maintenance, feeding tube treatment/maintenance, post-operative monitoring, catheter placement (variety) and maintenance, fluid therapy (pump, burrette), orthopedic and neurologic therapies, & ECG monitoring (traditional and telemetry)
- Ability to work both independently with little supervision as well as part of a team.