Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Veterinary Medicine
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine [18 VAC 150 ‑ 20]
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5/17/17  5:59 pm
Commenter: Jen Zimmerman

Strongly oppose unlicensed techs placing catheters. Only LICENSED vet techs should do so.
 

I have had many pets that required specialized care over the years. I would NEVER want someone untrained and unlicensed  to provide the care. From personal experience I am a certified phlebotomist. I completed a course for training and completed several weeks of full time rotations in different health care settings, hospital and private office rotations. I am NOT certified to place an IV catheter. I should NOT be expected to provide that service when I have not been properly trained. Complications from improperly placed catheters can range from hematomas to full body staph infections that could lead to death. ONLY trained and licensed professionals should do procedures that could lead to irreversible damage. There is training now for a reason. IV catheterization is an invasive procedure and should not be considered otherwise! Please do not allow this to go through. LIcensed vet techs go through rigorous expensive training and they should be left to do what they were trained to do, I would not go to a vet if I found out unlicensed people were doing invasive procedures. 

 

CommentID: 59281