July 30, 2018 NOTICE OF UPDATE TO THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AVMA) COMMITTEE ON VETERINARY TECHNICIAN EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES (CVTEA) ACCREDITATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (P&P) MANUAL Effective July 30, 2018 The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) has released an updated publication of the Accreditation Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual of the AVMA CVTEA effective July 30, 2018 which are summarized below. CHANGES TO THE STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION The Committee made changes to the following Standards: Standard 7 Admissions Standard 8 Students The following changes were made to Standard 7 (Admissions) section 7b only: NOTE: only the sections of the Standards that have proposed edits are indicated below. All other sections of the Standard remain status quo. (additions underlined, deletions struckthrough) Standard 7 (Admissions) 7b. Applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Consideration of the qualifications of applicants for admission must include aptitude for, and an interest in, and an understanding of a career in veterinary technology. The following changes were made to Standard 8 (Students) section 8a only: NOTE: only the sections of the Standards that have proposed edits are indicated below. All other sections of the Standard remain status quo. (additions underlined, deletions struckthrough) Standard 8 (Students) 8a. The number of students must be appropriate to achieve the mission of the program. Enrollment must not exceed the available resources including the number of faculty and support staff needed to meet the educational goals of the curriculum. An appropriate program personnel instructor-to-student ratio must be maintained to ensure student safety and adequate delivery of instruction in a variety of teaching environments. Program personnel to student ratios shall not exceed 1:12 for laboratory courses without animals present and 1:8 for laboratory courses with animals present. (*Compliance with indicated ratios [final sentence of 8a] is required by September 1, 2020. Programs not in compliance at this time may be subject to adverse accreditation status.)
CHANGES TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT LIST APPENDIX H The Committee made the following changes to Appendix H Species: Amended Horses/ponies to Horses/ponies/donkeys/mules Removed poultry since birds are already listed Removed mice and changed Rats to Rats or mice* as required species. Programs would be allowed to use either species to complete the skill. *Species preceded by an asterisk are required. All others are recommended. COMPANION ANIMALS *Cats *Dogs *Horses/ponies/donkeys/mules FOOD ANIMALS *Cattle Goats Poultry Sheep Pigs LABORATORY & EXOTIC ANIMALS Ferrets Gerbils Guinea pigs Hamsters *Mice Non-human primates *Rabbits *Rats or mice *Birds (e.g. pigeons, chickens, parrots, cockatoos, etc.) Fish Reptiles and amphibians The following changes were made to the EQUIPMENT LIST Clinical Equipment section only: Added resuscitation bag as required Amended and added verbiage regarding emergency supplies and equipment CLINICAL EQUIPMENT Anesthesia machine large animal *Anesthesia machine small animal *Isoflurane Sevoflurane *Non-rebreathing system *Waste anesthetic gas exhaust system *Animal gurney or stretcher *Autoclave *Bandaging/casting material
*Bathing equipment *Blood pressure monitoring equipment *Cages complying with federal regulations *Capnometer *Cardiac monitor *Controlled drug cabinet Defibrillator *Dehorners *Dental instruments large animal dental floats *Dental instruments small animal ultrasonic scaler and polisher including appropriate hand instruments *Electric clippers *Electrocardiograph (with printing capabilities as optional) Electrosurgical equipment *Emasculator *Emergency supplies and equipment crash kit with accessible emergency drugs and dosages, supplies and equipment (including, but not limited to, assorted endotracheal tubes and resuscitation bag Ambu with adaptor for endotracheal tube and resuscitation mask,assorted intravenous catheter sizes, epinephrine, atropine, lidocaine, face mask(s), stethoscope) *Endotracheal tubes *Esophageal stethoscope *Examination tables Endoscope *Fluid Pump Gas sterilizer *Hoof trimmers and picks *Microchip Scanner *Nail trimmers Obstetrical instruments large animal *Ophthalmoscope *Oral dosing equipment *Laboratory Animal *Large animal *Small animal Oral speculum large animal *Oral speculum-small animal (Mouth gag) *Orthopedic equipment (familiarity with common orthopedic instruments e.g. orthopedic wire, K-wire, pins, bone screws, pin cutter, wire cutting scissors, rongeur, bone holding forceps, hand chuck, osteotome, bone curette, mallet, Gigli wire saw and handles, elevator, and bone plates) *Otoscope *Pulse Oximeter *Resuscitation bag *Scales, animal *Stethoscope *Surgical instruments, basic *Surgical lights Surgical suction *Surgical tables *Syringes, multiple dose *Temperature monitoring device (e.g. thermometer)
*Tonometer *Tourniquet *Tubes feeding and gavage Ultrasound machine *Vaginal speculum Ventilator *Warming device (e.g. circulating warm water blanket, forced warm air blanket) CHANGES TO THE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ESSENTIAL AND RECOMMENDED SKILLS LIST APPENDIX I The Committee changed small animal to dog or cat throughout the document for clarification and consistency. The Committee made the following changes to Section 7 - Imaging: Amended the verbiage for Develop and properly utilize radiographic technique chart to Properly utilize radiographic technique chart. The word develop was removed because the skill is didactic and not hands-on. Amended Create diagnostic dental radiographic images* to Create diagnostic intra-oral dental radiographic images* to clarify that the expectation is that more than one view of an intra-oral dental radiograph is required. Changed Complete radiographic logs for non-digital systems, reports, files and records* from a hands-on skill to a didactic skill as Demonstrate an understanding of completing a radiographic log for systems, reports, files, and records* 7. IMAGING Skill: Safely and effectively produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images. Tasks: Implement and observe recommended radiation safety measures* Implement radiographic quality control measures* Develop and Properly utilize radiographic technique charts* Position dogs*, cats*, horses*, and birds to create diagnostic radiographic images Demonstrate an understanding of the modifications of diagnostic imaging techniques as they apply to mice, rats, guinea pigs, lizards, and amphibians* Utilize radiographic equipment to properly radiograph live animals (fixed and portable)* Create diagnostic intra-oral dental radiographic images* Appropriately label, file, and store images* Demonstrate an understanding of completing a radiographic log for systems, reports, files, and records* Complete radiographic logs for non-digital systems, reports, files and records* Perform radiographic contrast studies perform one of the following*: [GROUP] o GI Series o Pneumocystogram
o Intravenous pyelogram o Other Perform on a sedated canine radiographic techniques utilized in screening for canine hip dysplasia* [GROUP] Demonstrate proper maintenance of radiographic equipment, including recognition of faulty equipment operation* Use and care of ultrasonography equipment Use and care of endoscopic equipment Decision-making abilities: 1. Given the characteristic of the patient and the radiographic study that has been requested, the veterinary technician will properly (1) prepare radiographic equipment, (2) measure and position animals using topographic landmarks, (3) choose an appropriate radiographic technique to minimize the need for repeat exposures (4) produce the latent image, (5) analyze the final radiograph for quality in order to provide maximum diagnostic benefit. 2. Given a radiograph, the veterinary technician will be able to determine if the image is of diagnostic quality. If the image is not diagnostic, the veterinary technician will be able to offer options to correct deficiencies in order to provide maximum diagnostic benefit and minimize personnel radiation exposure from unnecessary repeat exposures. 3. Given knowledge of the health risks associated with radiographic procedures and effective safety procedures, the veterinary technician will exercise professional judgment to minimize risks to personnel and patients during radiographic procedures to ensure safety. 4. Given the characteristics of the patient and the non-radiographic imaging study that has been requested, the veterinary technician will properly (1) prepare the imaging site and equipment and (2) position patients appropriately for the study being conducted. CHANGES/CLARIFICATION TO THE SELF-STUDY REPORT Standard IV Physical Facilities and Equipment Added verbiage to Section IV Questions A and B: photographic evidence submitted should include all facilities and equipment available for primary learning with an emphasis on facilities and equipment not available on campus (see Appendix H). The site team relies on images to determine visitation to off-campus primary learning sites. Programs are encouraged to submit quality photographic and video images of off-campus primary learning sites that include required equipment not owned by the Program.
CHANGES TO OTHER SECTIONS OF THE P&P The Committee made the following changes to other sections of the P&P: Section II CVTEA Membership Description and Appointment and Tenure Amended the position of state boards of veterinary medical examiners to be filled by either a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Historically, the position was designated for a veterinarian only. Amended the position of regulatory veterinary medicine to an at-large position to be filled by a veterinarian. Amended the appointment responsibility to the CVTEA from the AVMA Board of Directors to the AVMA CVTEA Selection Committee. Section VI Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Accreditation of Programs Educating Veterinary Technicians Added a policy regarding Natural Disasters. The policy requires that programs report disruptions of educational delivery for more than two weeks to the CVTEA by submission of a Substantive Change Report. Substantive change reports require notification of 30 days of the onset of the event. Site Visit Agenda Beginning with October 2018 site visits, the Committee changed the site visit agenda from a three-day visit to a two-day visit for reaccreditation site visits. See new agenda example attached. However, the Committee reserves the right to modify the site visit agenda as needed, including adding an extra day, for evaluation of programs that have both campus and distance programs. REMINDER VTNE REPORTING TO THE COMMUNITY VTNE data for all programs must be updated by September 1st of each calendar year on the institution s website. Therefore, data representing the three-year pass percentage July 1, 2014 June 30, 2017 should currently be posted for all programs in the following format: July 1, 2014 June 30, 2017 Number of eligible first-time candidates # Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE # Three-year VTNE pass percentage #% CVTEA SITE VISIT GUIDE Programs with site visits are provided a CVTEA Site Visit Guide. An educational fact sheet on the regulatory requirements for IACUC protocols has been added to this document for Program use. The Site Visit Guide can also be found online at https://www.avma.org/professionaldevelopment/education/accreditation/programs/pages/cvtea-site-visitguide.aspx
Example New Two-Day Site Visit Agenda DAY 1 7:15am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:30am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm ~6:00pm The Program Director serves as primary host and is required to attend all sessions, unless otherwise indicated or excused by site team. Program Director to meet site team at hotel lobby or other designated location. Breakfast with Program director (Continental breakfast near where site team training will occur and no formal agenda is required.) Site Team Training. As Program Director, you may be invited to sit in on this session; however, the Chair may excuse program personnel. Meeting with Students Meeting with VT Program Faculty and Staff and curriculum review. It is preferable that the entire faculty/staff and part-time/adjuncts of the program attend this session; however, the team realizes that teaching obligations may take precedence. The Program Director may be excused for a portion of this session. Meet with Program Director Site Team Lunch. A box lunch in a quiet room on campus is highly recommended. Off-campus facilities inspection (Visit off-site facilities with Program director if needed) On-campus facilities inspection Meet with Program Director (if needed) Site Team Conference Dinner for site team. (Optional) DAY 2 7:30 am Breakfast Meeting with Administration. Attendees usually include the College President, Department Chair or Dean, Chief Financial Officer, Dean of Admissions. This is usually best conducted as a continental breakfast somewhere on campus or in the meeting room. This meeting is casual and no formal agenda is required. 8:30 am Meet with Financial Staff (Financial Officer who oversees budgeting for the Program) 9:00am Library Resource Specialist interview and library tour. This session should include a presentation of online resources and accessibility. 9:30am Site visit team conference (work on Report) 11:30am Working lunch (site team members only) The Program Director is responsible for arranging this meal as well. A brown bag or box lunch works best. 1:00 pm Meet with Program Director (if needed) 1:30 pm Site team continue working on Report The team will need access to printing capabilities using a thumb drive. 3:00 pm Exit interview with Program Director. Review of site team findings. 4:30pm Site visit team exit interview with Administration