Before the student graduates from Macomb’s Veterinary Technician Program, he or she must satisfy minimum competencies in clinical and didactic education and possess the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to competently perform their job as a licensed professional.
The minimum requirements to insure competency are set forth in a document known as the Essential Tasks for Veterinary Technicians. This list of tasks is compiled by the A.V.M.A.--C.V.T.E.A. Students must fulfill these requirements through classroom and laboratory instruction and clinical experience in order to graduate from Macomb’s Veterinary Technician Program.
Clinical competency is assured by evaluations of the student’s performance in clinical internships, and by evaluations of the student’s performance in the Veterinary Technician Laboratory.
Performance Standards
The following are expectations of all veterinary technician students on admission and in the program:
1. Assimilate knowledge acquired in classroom and clinical experience, including lecture, discussion, skill performance, reading, and theory application.
2. Comprehend and implement accurate mathematical skills, e.g., ratio and proportion concepts, use of conversion tables, and drug dose and solution calculations.
3. Communicate clearly, accurately, and appropriately (orally and in writing).
4. Aptitude for science requiring attention to detail, careful observation, and accurate record keeping.
5. Accurately read charts, syringes, records, scales, small print, handwritten notations, and be able to distinguish colors.
6. Accurately distinguish tonal difference and use a variety of communication devices, e.g., telephone, alarms, computer tones, beepers, etc.
7. Accurately distinguish odors.
8. Accurately demonstrate ability to perceive and identify a variety of tactile stimuli, e.g., temperature, texture, moisture, pain, etc.
9. Demonstrate unassisted ability to therapeutically and safely lift, hold, and mobilize patients and/or loads of 50lbs.
10. Ambulate unassisted for up to four hours at a time.
11. Safely and therapeutically maneuver in small spaces.
12. Demonstrate appropriate manual dexterity to accurately manipulate devices and equipment such as, but not limited to, muzzles syringes, infusion pumps, scales, laboratory equipment, anesthesia machines, and monitoring devices.
13. Establish and maintain therapeutic interpersonal relationships with diverse clients, coworkers, and fellow students.
14. Establish and maintain collegial relationships with peers, faculty, and other health care professionals.
15. Personality suited to exhibit respect, concern, and compassion for both animals and humans.
16. Possess the capacity to make independent decisions, work unsupervised, be creative, adaptable, and resourceful as well as believe in the highest standards of care and uphold the values of personal responsibility, honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, trust, and professionalism.
17. Demonstrate the ability to be in close proximity and/or physical contact with a variety of animal species for extended periods of time. Including the ability to tolerate frequent exposure to animal hair, dander and many other potential allergens.
18. Amenable to learning to safely handle, restrain, and work with any species of domestic and exotic animals that may be sick, injured, fractious, or aggressive.
19. Willingness to assist with or perform a wide variety of routine medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures common to the veterinary setting; including humane euthanasia.
20. Understanding of the requirement to work with and around dangerous animals, hazardous chemicals, compressed gasses, pharmaceuticals, sharp objects, radiation, and biohazards.
21. Ability to tolerate frequent exposure to loud noise, odors, invasive medical, surgical and diagnostic procedures, potentially dangerous animals, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, compressed gasses, pharmaceuticals (including controlled substances), radiation and biohazards during the routine practice of veterinary medicine.