Certified Veterinary Assistant Skills Checklist

Uses common terminology (spoken and written) required in your veterinary practice - Answer- approved skill Keeps assigned work areas clean and orderly - Answer- approved skill Demonstrates a basic knowledge of sanitary procedures - Answer- approved skill Handles animals in a safe, humane manner - Answer- approved skill Can name and select the equipment items most commonly used in your veterinary practice - Answer- Commonly used instruments in a veterinary clinic include a thermometer (to take an animal's body temperature), a stethoscope (to hear heart and respiratory rate), and a 1-3mL syringe with typically a 22-25 gauge needle for venous blood collection. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the most commonly used veterinary drugs - Answer- commonly used veterinary drugs dewormer: ivermectin (heartguard or injectible), anesthetic/tranquilizer: lidocaine (also given as an anti-arrhythmic), ketamine (causes muscle rigidity and therefore often paired with diazepam), epinephrine (used mostly in anaphylaxis and cardiac resuscitation) Recognize the symptoms commonly associated with animals affected by rabies - Answer- approved skill Uses procedures that ensure personal safety when handling animals suspected of having rabies - Answer- Note of suspected rabies should immediately be mentioned and recorded to nearby co-workers and the patient file. Handling of the animal should be restricted only to those who have also been vaccinated for rabies. Euthanasia or quarantined boarding at a secondary location are typical courses of action often at the discretion of the owner upon recommendation of a licensed vet. Demonstrates appropriate understanding and respect for the human-animal bond in dealing with clients and their animals - Answer- approved skill Handles and disposes of "sharps" instruments safely and in compliance with practice standards - Answer- approved skill Uses the proper procedure for lifting and positioning animals - Answer- approved skill Uses the proper procedure for placing animals in a cage - Answer- approved skill Uses proper method for placing large animals in a stall - Answer- When moving large animals such as a horse into a constraining place such as a stall, lead the horse through the doorway, you should step through first, then quickly step to the side out of the horse's way. Keep an eye on it, as some horses try to rush through narrow spaces. Always be aware of surroundings and positioning around animal with consideration for biting or kicking range as well as their lines of vision. Uses (or can describe) the proper method of haltering a large animal - Answer- To properly halter a large animal, the handler must hold the halter so that the lead rope passes through a loop out towards the animal's left side. The long loop is placed over the ears while the short immovable section goes over the nose. The adjustable loop beneath is goes under the chin of that animal. The halter can be tightened or adjusted by sliding the loop either towards the ears or nose of the animal. Practices (or can describe) the proper personal safety precautions when releasing a large animal - Answer- When releasing a large animal, the handler must first be aware of an animal's fight or flight response and how that might entail kicking, biting, rearing, or using their size to overpower them. With this in mind, the handler must slowly carefully remove any restraints after a clear and guided exit has already been established. Properly restrains animals when assisting the veterinarian with cephalic and saphenous venous sampling - Answer- approved skill Properly muzzles fractious animals - Answer- approved skill Handles and holds animals so as to generally avoid bites to themselves and the attending veterinarian - Answer- approved skill Demonstrates (or describes) the proper method of moving cattle and horses through chutes and into or out of stalls - Answer- When handling and working animals, the operator and others in the area should be aware that cattle are unpredictable and powerful. Care must be taken to avoid injury. Once the head of the animal is caught and restrained in the headgate, the animal may be cautiously approached and treated as needed. When ready for release bystanders and workers must stay clear of the exit. After using the exit, make certain that it is closed and locked securely before the next animal is coaxed to enter. Recognizes and avoids potential safety hazards in the examination room or area - Answer- Hazards in treatment centers or exam rooms of veterinary clinics include bites and scratches from small animals or kicks and crushing injuries from large animals, exposure to hazardous chemicals, as well as exposure to radiation or waste anesthetic gases. Preventative measures include proper distancing or restraint of said hazards we well as personal protective equipment such as a radiation vest or gloves. Handles animals in the examination room or area so as to prevent harm to the patient and humans - Answer- Key components to pay mind to when entering a patient's exam room include temperament, spacial awareness, calm dialogue, client's disposition, and typical restraining methods used by technicians. Carefully observes patients and surroundings and reports observations to the attending veterinarian - Answer- approved skill Aids the veterinarian in the handling and treatment of patients - Answer- approved skill Provides an additional set of eyes and hands for the attending veterinarian - Answer- approved skill Handles and uses disposable "sharps" containers in a safe manner - Answer- approved skill Follows OSHA guidelines in collecting and disposing of bio-hazardous materials - Answer- When collecting biohazardous material, proper PPE must be worn in a controlled environment that will be properly sanitized following completion. All biohazardous waste must be disposed of in red bags marked with the biohazard symbol; these bags must be secondarily contained in a puncture resistant container and covered with a tight fitting lid. Biohazard stickers must be present on all four sides of the container and the top of the lid. Demonstrates (or explains) the proper method of collecting fecal samples (included palpation sleeve) in the large animal - Answer- To collect a fecal sample from a small animal, the animal is positioned and restrained, standing on a treatment table where a tech inserts a lubricated fecal loop into the rear end of the animal, just enough to cover the eye of the loop. To better-ensure a collection the tech might turn the loop when gently removing it from the animal's anus. With large animals and the use of a palpation sleeve, the procedure is essentially the same, with changes specific to size of the animal and its environment, and the palpation sleeve in place of the fecal loop. Uses correct quantities of feces for fecal flotations - Answer- Recognizes fresh fecal samples - Answer- Can explain client options for disposal of euthanized or deceased animals - Answer- Discusses individual or communal cremation options with owners of deceased pets - Answer- Properly prepares the deceased animal for presentation to the owner - Answer- Exhibits proper decorum when presenting a deceased animal to its owner - Answer- Correctly collects urine through natural means - Answer- When the animal begins to squat to urinate, technicians often place a shallow container or ladle under the animal after urination begins. Knows proper method for collecting urine samples that are adequate for culturing microorganisms - Answer- A sterile needle and syringe are used to collect urine from the bladder. The needle is passed through the abdominal wall into a full bladder and urine is withdrawn directly into the sterile syringe. Collects urine samples during the correct time of day - Answer- Unless instructed otherwise, it is usually best to collect a urine sample in the morning, when the pet's bladder is full and the urine is most concentrated. Correctly demonstrates the usage of shielded gowns, gloves, and other protective wear for radio-graphic image acquisition - Answer- approved skill Implement and observe recommended radiation safety measures - Answer- Best practices when working with radiation include limiting exposure, wearing OSHA approved personal protective equipment, and being cautious of the environment and all components involved in the radio-graphic processes. Handle, use and store radio-graphic image-capturing equipment - Answer- When working with x-rays in the clinic, proper PPE should always be worn for protection of the handler from radiation. Wash and sterilize equipment after each use to practice infection control; this protects yourself and the patients. To get the best quality x-ray films, technicians are required to manipulate the equipment and the patient for perfect alignment. Bathes and dips patients as instructed - Answer- approved skill Avoids basic hazards and species susceptibilities to certain bath and dip products when preparing and giving dips and baths - Answer- When bathing an animal is is important to avoid touching one's face, ingestion of bathing or dipping solutions by either patient or handler, and getting either of said substances into the eyes or other sensitive areas of the patient. Follows accepted procedures when bathing and dipping patients - Answer- approved skill Safely cares for animals in runs, cages, stalls, and paddocks - Answer- approved skill Uses the bedding types indicated for specific breeds/species of housed animals - Answer- approved skill Changes bedding materials in a timely and efficient manner - Answer- approved skill Disposes of used bedding materials as needed in a proper manner - Answer- approved skill Recognizes and avoids safety hazards in areas where patients are housed - Answer- approved skill Uses proper sanitary procedures in changing bedding materials - Answer- approved skill Maintains and repairs cages, kennels and stalls as needed - Answer- Proper maintenance of kennels or stalls includes providing clean bedding as needed, cleaning out old or soiled bedding, and making sure they are sanitized each time before a patient is housed in it. Properly uses (or describes the proper use of) common devices and equipment to restrain horses, cattle, goats, and swine for treatment - Answer- Common devices used to handle or restrain large animals included squeeze chutes, hydraulic chutes, halters, or a humane twitch. Recognizes common breeds and varieties of exotic animals that visit the clinic and calls them by correct common name - Answer- Less common small animals that may turn up in a local veterinary clinic include avian breeds such as cockatiels, parrots or lovebirds. Other animals such as ferrets, sugar gliders, and chinchillas may also visit the clinic. Safely handles and restrains exotic animals for examination and treatment - Answer- When holding and restraining an exotic bird breed such as parrot, the tech should gently hold the second and third digits of the foot, and slowly move the bird into their chest, being sure to keep the parrot's beak beneath their chin. Autoclaves veterinary instruments using moist pressure autoclave and chemical sterilization - Answer- To prepare surgical instruments for autoclave sterilization, wash, treat, and place desired surgical instruments into a surgical pack along with drapes or gauze. Properly wrap the package and seal with autoclave tape indicator before placing it in a machine and starting the process. Follows a proscribed procedure for cleaning all stainless steel instruments - Answer- approved skill Follows correct procedure for ultra-sonic cleaning of instruments - Answer- Ultrasonic cleaners are used in with detergents and enzymatic cleaners and cleans by removing particulates by cavitation (bubbles) and implosion. Suitable solutions must be used. Adequate rinsing of the surgical instrument is required to remove cleaning residues to levels that will not interfere with the disinfection and sterilization processes. Lubricates instruments properly during cleaning process - Answer- The lubricant should be water-soluble and should be recommended for use on instruments. An oil- or grease-based lubricant should never be used, because it will interfere with the sterilization process. As a result, the best bet for a technician is to use what's known as instrument milk, spraying each of the cleaned tools gently before progressing with the sterilization process. Maintains all dental equipment in clean and usable condition for performing prophylaxis treatments - Answer- A dental prophylaxis procedure is a cleaning procedure designed to halt the progression or development of periodontal disease. Instruments used must be properly sterilized and packages before use and may include ultrasonic equipment, fine hand tools, teeth polishing agents, and animal-safe toothpaste. Other in-house resources will include anesthetic equipment, vital monitors, and dental x-rays. Determines that all active scavengers are working properly in evacuating anesthesia gases as needed - Answer- The purpose of active scavengers is to evacuate anesthesia gases. To properly monitor these machines, a tech must pay attention to the fact that it is properly powered and sealed before use, be sure that any meters and gauges are at acceptable readings throughout, and that all components are off and disconnected when the procedure is complete. Ensures that all sharp and cutting blades are disposed of properly following surgical procedures - Answer- approved skill Describes (or demonstrates) the proper method for administration of a paste or topical drug on an equine patient - Answer- When administering a paste to an equine patient, begin by properly restraining the horse. Turn the ring on the paste plunger to the correct dosage and lock the ring into place. Depress the plunger all the way in as you wiggle the syringe around the horse's mouth, spreading the dose of paste across the back of their tongue. Raise the horse's head for a few seconds to encourage them to swallow after medication is entirely administered. Describes (or demonstrates) the proper method for administration of a bolus, paste, or topical drug for a bovine patient - Answer- When applying a topical drug for a bovine patient, the veterinarian or tech should begin by washing their hands. The medication should be applied directly to the skin as a thin layer, spread evenly over the affected area. The ointment should not be smoothed or rubbed on to the affected area. Describes (or demonstrates) the proper method for administration of tablets, capsules, liquid, and topical drugs for canine and feline patients - Answer- approved skill Stores animal feeds according to the instructions - Answer- approved skill Measures food quantities accurately - Answer- approved skill Reads and follows food labe