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Newsletter Winter 2016
KVTA Mission Statement
The mission of the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association is to represent, promote, and
advance the veterinary technician profession and enhance animal health and welfare
within the state of Kansas and throughout the nation. It is through education, public
awareness, membership development, and legislative initiative as well as by working
together with the KVMA and allied professions that KVTA will achieve its mission.
Visit the KVTA
Web Site
http://www.ksvta.org
The KVTA is committed to career growth and
advancement of veterinary technicians in
the state of Kansas. Our goal is to promote
the veterinary health care team and
increase public awareness of veterinary
technicians and our role on the veterinary
health care team as well as promote the
human-animal bond.
The KVTA board of directors would like to
thank you for joining KVTA as it is an
organization built to support one another in
our careers as professionals in Veterinary
Medicine. Whether you are a highly
experienced veterinary technician or a
newcomer to the veterinary health care
team, we encourage you to get involved let
your colleagues know about the KVTA.
We are only as strong as our membership!
President’s Message
Hello Kansas Veterinary Technicians,
Happy New Year! The New Year brings an opportunity to start fresh. Many of us have the usual
resolutions of weight loss, exercising more, and being a healthier person. As the 2016, KVTA
President, I would like to purpose a few resolutions for 2016.
Before we get to the new resolutions, let’s review 2015. In January, the KVTA had a technician
track during the KVMA conference in McPherson. Kara Burns, MS, RVT, VTS(Nutrition) talked
about Nutrition and how to empower yourself as a veterinary Technician. Diane Johnson, RVT, the
founder of Operation Wildlife in Linwood also spoke at this conference. She gave the attendees
information about the ins and outs of treating and caring for wildlife.
In September, Governor Sam Brownback, signed a proclamation declaring October 11 to 17 as
Kansas Veterinary Technician Week. In November, Vicky Ograin traveled to Colby to present the
KVTA yearly update at the Colby Fall Conference.
Now for my resolutions for 2016: The Board would like to add district representatives to the KVTA
Board. These representatives would function in much the manner as the district representatives
of the KVMA and would help represent their unique needs of their part of the state. If you are
interested in serving in this role please contact a member of the KVTA Board.
In the past, the KVTA hosted a continuing education session at
Blue Pearl in Olathe. We would like to have other CE
opportunities in other locations around the state. If are
interested in CE in your part of the state and would help
the Board by informing us of locations that we can use to
host a session, please let us know.
Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry)
KVTA President
President’s Message
Technicians are a vital part of the veterinary healthcare team and should be very proud of their
profession. It is our duty as professionals to stay informed of all the latest developments in our
field. Not only will you but your employers and your patients will benefit from your drive to
continue your education.
If we work together we will make the KVTA stronger and help take our profession to the next level
in our state. In addition to making the KVTA stronger, I encourage each of you to join NAVTA. The
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America has been very active advocating for your
profession. In addition to investigating the possibility of national credentialing for technicians and
the possible change of title to Veterinary Nurses NAVTA is also offering disability and dental
insurance to the membership. Check out the changes at www.navta.net.
I would like to hear from Veterinary Technician, assistants, and students to see what your vision
for our state association and the profession. Please reach out to our board members and let us
know how the KVTA can help make these changes a reality. Help us move forward!!
Sincerely,
Mary L. Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS(Dentistry)
KVTA President
Contact the board at: Kansasvettech@aol.com
Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry)
KVTA President
Your 2016 Executive Board
2016 President
Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry)
I received my B.S. in Biology/Microbiology from South Dakota State University, an A.S. in
Laboratory Animal Science from Redlands Community College, and my A.A.S. in Veterinary
Technology from St. Petersburg College. I am a charter member of the Academy of Veterinary
Dental Technicians and received her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Dentistry in June 2006. I
am currently serving as the treasurer of the AVDT.
I currently have memberships to the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science and the
American Veterinary Dental Society. I worked with Odontex, Inc. and the University of Kansas for
over 13 years, specializing in veterinary dental research on products aimed at improving oral
health.
I am currently the practice manager and dental specialist at Gentle Care Animal Hospital in
Lawrence, Kansas, as well as the president of MLB Consulting, a veterinary dental consulting
service.
I have authored and co-authored over 45 publications including publications in the Journal of
Dental Research, the Veterinary Technician Journal, and the NAVTA Journal and have been a
speaker and wet lab instructor at numerous conferences that include the North American
Veterinary Conference, Annual Veterinary Forum, American Veterinary Medical Association
Conference, and the AAHA conference.
Your 2016 Executive Board
2016 President- Elect
Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Kara Burns is a licensed veterinary technician originally from New England, now living in Kansas. She holds a
master’s degree in physiology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. She began her career in
human medicine working as an emergency psychologist in the Maine Medical Center emergency
department. She also worked at Maine Poison Control as a poison specialist dealing with human and animal
poisonings.
She then made the move to veterinary medicine and worked in small animal private practice and a small
animal and avian practice in Maine.
Currently, she works for Hill’s Pet Nutrition as the veterinary technician specialist working with the graduate
technician profession in all aspects – National association, State vet tech associations, specialty vet
associations, and national, regional, and specialty conferences.
She is a member of many national and state associations and holds positions on many board in the
profession - such as the AAHA Yearly Conference Development Committee – Technician Chair, AAVN
technician liaison, the NAVTA Journal editorial board, Chair - NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician
Specialties, NAHERC, KS SART, and is the president- elect of the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association, to
name a few.
Kara is also the President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians, the tenth recognized specialty
for veterinary technicians.
She has authored many articles and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on
topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician utilization.
Ms. Burns has been featured on the cover of the Veterinary Technician Journal and the NAVTA Journal. She
is the 2010 NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year. Kara has also been named the National Association of
Professional Women ‘Woman of the Year’ for 2010-2011 and the Cambridge Who’s Who in Professionals
V.I.P. for 2010-2011.
She enjoys spending time with her wife Dr. Ellen Lowery and their children. They are actively involved in
youth sports, 4-H, school activities, and church ministry. The family also includes three horses, two sheep, 2
pugs, a greyhound cross, a French bulldog, 4 birds, 5 indoor cats, and a bearded dragon!
Your 2016 Executive Board
2016 Secretary/ Treasurer/ NAVTA State Representative
Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
2016 Representative to the Veterinary Board
Melissa Stromberg, BS, RVT
Melissa graduated from Colby Community College in 2010 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary
Technology and an Associate of Arts in General Studies. I then passed my state board and VTNE to become an RVT. I
moved to Lawrence, KS and worked in a progressive 2 doctor practice for the next 2 years. During that time, I started
the Technology Management online program through K-State at Salina. I moved back to Colby, KS in June 2012 and
began designing courses and teaching in the Distance Learning Veterinary Technology Program at Colby Community
College.
Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management in May 2013 and started work on a Master
of Agribusiness--Animal Health through K-State at Olathe in August 2013.
Melissa is the NAVTA chapter advisor for the Distance Learning Veterinary Technology Program at Colby Community
College.
Vicky received a registered technician degree in 1983. She served in private practice for 18 years in California, and
then 11 years ago began a new career with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. At Hill’s, she is on the Technical Information
Services team. In 2007, she completed a Bachelor of Science and in 2008, she completed a Masters in 2008, both
in Business Administration.
Vicky is on the organizing committee and serves as secretary for the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.
She is a life member of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), and is the
president-elect for 2012-2013. She is also a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association, serving on
the RVT committee and House of Delegates. In this role she also serves as technician tract chair for the Pacific
Veterinary Conference. She is also the Secretary/Treasurer for the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association.
Vicky speaks national and internationally and is a published author. She has taught nutrition at the Professional
Veterinary Assistant Program, and in 2011 she was awarded California Registered Veterinary Technician of the
year.
Your 2016 Executive Board
2016 Two Year Member at Large
Sadie L. Kenney, RVT
2016 One Year Member at Large
Amanda Hackerott, RVT
Amanda received her AAS/ VT in 2011 from Carrington College California after experiencing the veterinary
medical field as a receptionist and assistant for about six years prior. She has worked primarily in emergency
practices, both in Kansas and in the San Francisco Bay Area. She moved back to Kansas in 2012 and worked for a
year as the Treatment Technician and Administrative Assistant at the Kansas Humane Society. She sat for her
VTNE exam in Kansas in 2013 and began her role as an instructor at Heritage College Wichita. She is currently the
advisor of the student chapter of NAVTA on campus. A member of World Vets, she will be taking her first trip in
March to teach international pre-vet/vet/tech students at the International Veterinary Medical Hospital in
Granada, Nicaragua. She has a growing passion for Vet Tech education and looks forward to publishing and public
speaking in the future. She resides in Wichita with her two year old daughter and Jimmy, a six year old yorkie mix.
Your 2016 Executive Board
2016 Executive to the board
Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT
I hold an AAS degree in veterinary technology from Camden County College. I have also earned a
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology and a doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance
Education. I am a certified laboratory animal technician and a credentialed veterinary technician in
the state of Kansas. I currently serve on NAVTA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties
and have previously served on state veterinary technician association boards and committees. I am
also a past-president of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators, and was the first
veterinary technician to be elected to that position.
Over the past 28 years, I have been employed in human medical teaching facilities as a laboratory
animal technician and as a veterinary technician in companion animal practices. I am currently the
program director for a developing veterinary technology program in Overland Park, Kansas and
have previously served as program director and faculty for both online and traditional veterinary
technology programs in several states. I frequently speak at veterinary technician conferences,
primarily in the area of Clinical Laboratory Techniques and have written several textbooks for
veterinary technicians. I also serve as the Clinical Pathology Close-Up section editor for Veterinary
Technician.
My husband and I have three grown children and share our home with two spoiled dogs, a black
Labrador and a pit bull mix, who know for an absolute fact that all living creatures on this planet
were put here to play with them. In our spare time, we ride our local bicycle trails and volunteer at
a hospital hospitality house. I am honored to serve and represent you on the KVVTA Executive
Board.
KVTA News
Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT,
VTS (Nutrition) and Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT from the KVTA board
attended the NAVTA Leadership Summit in Chicago, in January 2016.
Association management and leadership were the topics. It was great
to network with other state associations and VTS academies.
Our own Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), KVTA
President during a discussion at the NAVTA Leadership Summit.
NAVTA News/ updates
NAVTA Has been busy working for the membership. They had a strategy
planning session in December 2015. They also are proposing a national
title.
NAVTA's position statement of the term Veterinary Nurse
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has initiated
conversations with global, national, and state organizations in regards to consumer
protection and patient care by implementing the use of the term Veterinary Nurse for
the veterinary technician profession, as well as establishing a national standard for
credentialing.
The current credentialing systems, which vary state to state, has led to confusion for
the veterinary consumer and within the veterinary profession. Establishing a single
and standard title is the first step in the process to clarify the important role of the
profession and provide enhanced patient care. Pets and pet owners are best
protected and cared for by formally trained and credentialed veterinary nurses.
For Credentialed Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Technician Specialists looking
to advance their careers, the unified title will create a national and global standard.
NAVTA aims to create an alignment within the veterinary field, provide education for
veterinarians, paraprofessionals, and consumers to elevate the understanding of
roles and responsibilities as they relate to patient care by veterinary nurses.
In addition, NAVTA’s goal is to work hand in hand with the American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA), professional veterinary organizations, and legislators to
create common terminology, practice acts, policies, and procedures to ease the
burden that could be placed on individual states and associations in credential
governance.
NAVTA News/ updates
NAVTA Demographic survey
Participate in the survey to have your opinion recorded
You do not have to be a member to participate.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/De
mographics2016
KVMA News
Register at: http://ksvma.site-
ym.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=752589
KVMA News
Continuing Education Article
Mental Health Awareness: Is There A Place for
Crisis Intervention in Veterinary Medicine?
Amanda Hackerott, RVT
Burnout. Compassion fatigue. Grief. Job stress. Life in general stress.
These are all daily experiences for those of us in the veterinary medical
field. No matter our title, we all know it to be true, our jobs are
especially trying on the mind, body and soul. I believe there is a way to
alleviate some of our hardships: by the use of something called crisis
intervention.
Crisis intervention. The term has a dramatic tone but really it is a simple
way to produce less stress due by responding to crisis or disasters in
certain ways. This type of intervention has been used for decades by
military/ law enforcement, fire fighting and disaster response teams to
help identify and reduce job related stress.
The Center for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical
Association teamed up and put out a report on Veterinarians and
Mental Health, in which more than ten thousand practicing
veterinarians were polled over topics related to mental health in their
chosen field. The results were pretty shocking and showed us that
24.5% of males and 36.7% of females in veterinary medicine have
experienced depressive episodes since leaving veterinary school, which
is one and a half times the prevalence of an average adult in their
lifetime. Also reported in this poll was that 14.4% of males and 19.1%
of females in the veterinary profession have considered suicide since
leaving veterinary school; that is three times the United States citizen
national average. The CDC asked the polled respondents to
Continuing Education Article
define the primary professional stressors that are considered to be the
causes of their work related mental illness; the three causes were
identified as the demands of veterinary practice, veterinary practice
management responsibilities; and professional mistakes and client
complaints.
It was practicing veterinarians who were polled in the above reference
(69% of them in small animal practice) though I expect these feelings of
stress and depression are by no means exclusively felt by only those
with the doctorate in our field. The on the job stress we face doesn't
differ by level of education, nor merely by the duties our titles suggests
we perform. I would not be surprised at all to see high numbers of
front desk staff, assistants, and technicians admit to feeling
overwhelmed, compassion-fatigued, or grief stricken if polled in the
same way.
We in the veterinary medical field, be it in Emergency and Critical Care,
or in General Practice, the veterinary specialists or the kennel assistants
that experiences the stress and grief cycles of caregiving, undoubtedly
fit into these statistics somehow. If the general public has such a
potential to deal with trauma (3 out of 4 Americans will at some point
in just their normal everyday life), for those of us in a medical health
profession such as ours, we know this is a solid fact, we see it
every single day; every appointment on our schedule has the potential
to be traumatic or critical or stressful. We owe it to ourselves and to
our future veterinarians, technicians, and assistants to battle this
growing affliction of stress overload with a more forced awareness of
Continuing Education Article
on the job stress and then offer opportunities to seek effective and
accessible resources. That is where I think crisis intervention plays a
crucial role in the fight for mental health awareness and ease of
availability of resources in our field.
The whole core idea of crisis intervention really addresses the response
to extreme stress rather than the stressful event itself. If we can guide
ourselves toward responding to crisis in ways that both reduce stress
and increase our personal and professional resilience, then we will be
better off as a community and for those we serve. We have to be able
to funnel the energy of a 'bad day at the clinic, or shelter, or zoo' to a
place where it can be harnessed and used to better the everyday
experience on the job and in turn, our own mental health.
But day to day, in the clinics, shelters, kennels, and rescues, what can
be done to reduce the many causes of overwhelming stress we face?
How do we effectively reduce the stressors in our life in general? What
do we really have control over, and how realistic is it to change our
mental/emotional state? The three stressors identified in the CDC/
AVMA study mentioned above were practice itself, management and
client and/or patient related issues. We really can't change the causes
of our professional stress, short of just leaving the profession entirely,
but we can change how we are able to cope with them and still be
productive and passionate in our careers.
So, how do we do it? Where do we start? What have we tried before? I,
for one, am very proud of all of the recent light spotlighting all of the
mental health awareness resources available to our field. The
University of Tennessee has created the Veterinary Social Work team.
Continuing Education Article
They dedicate themselves to the human aspects of treating animal
patients and all the strings attached to that practice. There is a
(suicide-like) hotline and a certificate program available from the
University to allow an always open ear to the difficulties of everyday
practice (and hopefully save a life), and further awareness, respectively.
This past spring we also saw the very First International Symposium of
Veterinary Medicine Mental Health and Suicide Prevention held in
Brisbane, Australia. The field has really upped its awareness in regards
to mental health, but how can we address it in everyday practice? How
can we be sure that the plan we create and further implement is
inclusive to all persons within the practice?
Veterinary practice staff can always work the topics of burnout and
compassion fatigue into regularly scheduled staff meeting agendas, but
will that ensure that a technician or other staff member will, in front of
their professional peers, indulge that they are depressed and can hardly
get out of bed in the morning? Would they be able to adequately
explain that it isn't because they don't love their job, but that her
current coping mechanisms have failed her, due to the extreme stresses
of the job or because of a recent traumatic event?
Dr. Hayden Duggan, a leader within the International Fire Chief
Association writes about crisis intervention, "the most effective
methods for mitigating the effects of exposure to trauma, those which
will help keep our people healthy and in service, are those which use
early intervention, and are multimodal. They use different 'active
ingredients...' And these components are used at the right time and at
the appropriate time with the right target group." The use of a stress
Continuing Education Article
or crisis intervention plan does not have to be set in stone; there isn't a
one way to be done plan and that is why it is perfect for us to
implement into practice. I fully agree that the use of stress/ crisis
intervention within the veterinary medical profession must be tailored
to our very unique and specific stresses and needs. There is a open
planning aspect to the use of crisis intervention and I am sure we can
find a way to make it work for all of us. Dr. Everly tells us in the chapter
titled A Protocol for Working with Individuals in Crisis, "that effectively
aiding an individual in crisis usually requires more than merely allowing
that individual to engage in cathartic ventilation. Effective crisis
intervention usually requires a plan, or protocol, to serve as a general
aide for intervention.“
I can see response-oriented crisis intervention being critical to saving
veterinarians lives, making us even stronger professionals and better
healers. In fact, early psychological intervention (i.e., response-oriented
crisis intervention) is best thought of as a means of enhancing
resiliency, which is beneficial in many aspects of everyday life. The
'type' of intervention I can see being useful to our profession is what Dr.
Everly calls the SAFER method. We will elaborate more on the steps
later on but overall this method consists of five simple steps:
S: Stabilize (this the period immediately after a critical or traumatic
event, size or severity not relevant, there is potentially lots of stress
and emotion involved)
A: Acknowledge the crisis (identify the trigger point and define the
situation and response)
F: Facilitate understanding (sympathize and/or empathize if possible)
E: Encourage effective coping (method or plan of action)
R: Recovery or Referral ( Maintaining progress of recovery)
Continuing Education Article
For example, an in clinic crisis intervention (loosely based off of the
Everly method) could look like this: after an hour-long attempt to
resuscitate an animal after cardiac arrest, including an unsuccessful
open chested heart massage, the medical team including the
veterinarian, anesthetist, surgical assistant, and anyone else tied to the
case has a 'de-briefing' of the events in which they discuss their
thoughts and feelings and provide support to each other immediately
following the crisis situation. The small group, be it even smaller in a
different scenario, discuss the signs and happenings that led up to the
event, how they reacted, what they remember physically being able to
do and accomplish, and how they felt after the work was done. It is
important to re-live the thoughts and emotions before, during and
after an emergency or traumatic event in order to define and cope and
avoid further distress. We must learn to identify our reactions in order
to try to change them in the future.
Here is another possible scenario: a veterinary technician has recently
been unable to assist with euthanasia for a while now because she had
to put her own animal to sleep in a traumatic end of life decision. She
has an especially hard time with any hit by car traumas, again because
of her own recent history. This person, a trained and wonderful staff
member, is not pulling her weight at the time because she is so
engulfed in her grief. And that is ok. Of course the staff extends their
compassion to her but it isn't enough to pull her out of the emotions
she's feeling. Crisis intervention, as a way to identify emotions and
navigate them continually after a crisis event, is a positive way to
alleviate some of her inability to perform her job as before. For
example, if this employee is able to identify her response to the
Continuing Education Article
traumatic encounter she had with her own pet by talking through the
trauma with a coworker or with a peer in the profession. She may be
able to process her emotions and find some sort of closure during a
process similar to the above described intervention. This may allow her
to get back to the grind of the job in the clinic without being so
emotionally stressed by the act of euthanasia. Is there time for
stress/crisis intervention in the everyday vet practice? Perhaps even
just a pre-printed sheet available to staff with questions that allow the
participant to freely identify and express their emotional stress. Maybe,
for example, questions such as:
• What events happened today that may have caused you
distress?
• What are your thoughts and/or feeling on what led up to
this situation or event?
• What was your role in the situation as it unfolded?
• What was the outcome of the event and how do you feel
now?
These kind of 'stress intervention sheets' could be located in a
conspicuous location in the practice, available for any one person in the
practice to grab and fill out as a way to vent their emotions or give
name to the stressors of their everyday life within the practice and to a
reasonable extent, the stressors of life outside of work. If we can
attempt to identify the struggles and stresses as they come to us, we
may be able to create a solution to relieve them or change how we
react to the stress in the future.
Continuing Education Article
Having the intervention be simple and concise, without the act being
publicized is a way to make employees feel like it is okay to talk about
what bothers them. A practice manager or Human Resource personnel,
acting as interventionist, could even mandate the use of such forms as
a way to proactively prevent things like burnout or compassion fatigue
from even occurring.
Dr. Everly actually recommends using a small group of trusted peers
(other veterinary technicians/ veterinarians) to facilitate the movement
of communication, especially when the group is specially
trained/educated (which we are!), or possesses a unique culture (we
definitely have that, not just ANY one can understand our jobs and
difficulties), or may be perceived as misunderstood (hence the
aforementioned fear of complaining or sounding whiny).
Whether or not to use anonymity on these forms is debatable. You
want someone to give their honest to goodness truth with any
intervention type process but if they know their name will be tied to
the complaint, no matter how silly or grave it may be, that may inhibit
their true feelings from being exposed. On the other hand, you want to
know who is feeling and experiencing what so there can be a plan
made for them to further the intervention, if needed.
The responsibility of the interventionist then, once a plan of
intervention is implemented, is to help or guide the individual(s)
involved to a place of understanding and growth. Dr. Everly suggests, as
an example, to first normalize the situation by suggesting a friendly
statement such as, "its okay to feel that way, we all have those feelings
Continuing Education Article
sometimes." The first attempt is to make it clearly known that it is okay
to feel and express those emotions during this intervention process.
Secondly, attribute reactions (like bursting out in tears or being grouchy
more days than not) to situations and not to a specific personal
weakness. Third and lastly, attempt to identify personal stress
management tools to empower the concerned individual and
encourage effective coping. This step in the process is where a little
creativity may be needed to know or find out what drives a person,
where their passion lies and help them make a plan of action to
recognize reactions (like having a bad entire day because the first
patient came in crashing and they were unable to save them) and
attempting to avoid that reaction in the future. Sometimes the stress or
event is something more human relations related and being able to
problem solve together and find identifiable coping resources may be
helpful for them to return to a more normal work environment. The
resource could even be as easy as the interventionist just being an
open ear to coworkers, thus feeding a more compassionate workplace
opposed to one of static negativity.
Ideally we can come to a point in the near future where we would be
able to self train ourselves to the standards and methods referenced
above or ones that are of similar use and benefit. In a perfect world,
every veterinary clinic head technician or practice/ office manager
would have time to really focus on the intrapersonal aspects of
veterinary staff or better yet, a person on every team dedicated to just
stress and crisis intervention. As our field continues to grow, as new
students graduate into the same stressors as we know already exist, a
change will have to come to keep us lifted and as caring as the day we
started our career.
Continuing Education Article
Should we not at least try this kind of approach as a way to save our
profession further headaches, heart-breaks and news headlines? We
are responsible for changing those dreaded statistics that leer over our
field of practice. The use of crisis or stress intervention has been used
and implemented successfully in fields very similar to our own. The
variety of possible methods used can increase the many benefits which
include strengthening personal and professional resiliency, which could
relieve our turnover rates by make better employees. I believe that
crisis intervention has the potential to be extremely useful in veterinary
medicine, no matter the size of the practice or employee population,
no matter the situation, stress or crisis. If it could save even one person
from experiencing the sometimes overwhelming feelings that come
with working in our profession, or if the use of stress intervention could
make us stronger, better, then why not try to implement something of
the sort? The freedom to begin a trend belongs to us, this is a platform
that affects every one person that cares about animals in the health
care setting and beyond. In regards to changing the profession,
eliminating dreaded statistics and the trend of suicide in our field, to
encourage growth in our profession and excite new graduates, I think
Thomas Carlyle said it best, "Our grand business is not to see what lies
dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.“
*Anyone who may be interested in Crisis Intervention training is
encouragingly recommended to investigate Dr. George Everly and the
above referenced work or contact the author for further information.
Continuing Education Article
REFRENCES
1. Veterinarians and Mental Health: CDC Results and
2. Resources.American Veterinary Medical Association, 2015. Web. 12
Feb. 2015
3. Everly, Jr., George S. Assisting Individuals in Crisis. Maryland: Loyola
College, The John Hopkins University, 2006. Print.
4. www.vetsocialwork.utk.edu
5. Duggan, Hayden. ICHIEFS. International Association of Fire Chiefs.
2002. Web. 1 Sept. 2002
.
KVTA thanks Amanda for sharing this
informative article
Hot Topic
Christine Hackworth, RVT
Discovers new tapeworm parasite in Maned Wolf
A tapeworm parasite more typically found in domestic dogs and cats has been
discovered in a Maned Wolf from Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo. The discovery,
thought to be the only known incidence of the parasite in a Maned Wolf, was
made not by a faculty veterinarian or researcher, but by a vigilant registered
veterinary technician in the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University’s
College of Veterinary Medicine: Christine Hackworth. This class of tapeworm
parasites are called Mesocestoides.
Hackworth works in the zoological medicine and dermatology sections of the
Veterinary Health Center. Her work was notable enough that she wrote up the
finding in the latest issue of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.
“I happened to come across it in a fecal sample submitted for testing,” Hackworth
said. “I dissected a tapeworm segment that was present on the feces. This is the
first reported case in a live captive animal, so it was just by luck that I found it,
but I knew it was something worth pursuing.”
Dr. David Eshar, assistant professor in companion exotic pets, wildlife and zoo
animal medicine helped review and co-author Hackworth’s discovery.
“Veterinary care of zoo animals is becoming more and more sophisticated and
requires teamwork and the joined skills of the animals’ keepers, veterinarians and
veterinary technicians,” Dr. Eshar said. “Christine is a well-trained and highly
experienced veterinary technician who shares the Veterinary Health Care’s
responsibility for the welfare of Sunset Zoo animals. In this Maned Wolf case, her
exceptional knowledge of veterinary parasitology played a pivotal role in the
identification and treatment of this unusual intestinal infection.”
Hot Topic
“Christine exemplifies the very best in the excellent team of veterinary
technicians who provide care for patients in the Veterinary Health Center,” said
Dr. Shirley Arck, administrator of the Veterinary Health Center. “We are so
pleased and proud that her outstanding work has been recognized by the
community of experts in zoo animal medicine.”
Two other co-authors contributed to Hackworth’s article: Dr. Dana Lindemann, an
intern at the Veterinary Health Center, and Dr. Michael Dryden, university
distinguished professor of veterinary parasitology in the College of Veterinary
Medicine.
Dr. Eshar added, “Sharing the gained knowledge and clinical experience with our
peers via the scientific literature is imperative and contributes to the growing
body of knowledge on the management of this unique species. Every submitted
manuscript is reviewed by at least two professionals and the fact that Christine’s
report was accepted and published shows the high quality of her work. We are all
very proud of her, as not many can get their submission accepted into this one
and only zoo medicine journal.”
Independence Community College
Veterinary Technology Program
During the fall
semester, the students
at the Independence
Community College
Veterinary Technology
Program spent some
time outside of the
classroom helping out
local animal shelters.
At the “Coffeyville
Friends of Animals”
shelter the students
volunteered by
thoroughly cleaning
the indoor cages and
runs. During that time,
the shelter animals
enjoyed the extra
attention. The
“Animals With Our
Love” animal shelter
(AWOL) needed some
assistance with
thoroughly cleaning
their dog ward facility.
This provided another
great opportunity to
volunteer in our
community. The
students took turns
power washing the
facility and walking
dogs.
Helping in the community
builds character!!!
We just finished the first week of the new spring semester and our freshman students are
off to a great start. In 7 weeks, the sophomore students will be heading off for their
externships and they are getting a little nervous and excited at the same time. We wish
them the best and we know that they will do well!!
Mrs. Benning
Independence Community College
Veterinary Technology Program
During the fall semester, the sophomore students had the opportunity through the KDWP to help
injured wildlife. The students worked together to examine, x-ray, and treat the wildlife patients
and to make sure that the wildlife patients ate daily and had clean cages. One of the patients was
an adult barred owl that had a head injury. After 6 days of treatment, the owl was eating well on
its own and was ready to release. An adult male opossum that was hit by a car was presented with
bleeding from the mouth and nose and difficulty breathing. It had fractures to the skull,
including the right zygomatic arch. It took a longer time for this patient to fully recover, but he
was able to be successfully released. The students also had the opportunity to work together
raising a baby squirrel that was released in late October.
Heritage
College News
The Student Chapter NAVTA of Heritage College Wichita had an exciting and
action packed first year in existence.
The chapter kicked off the Spring of 2015 with a campus wide fundraiser for
the Caring Hands Humane Society in Newton, Kansas. We were able to
provide the shelter with many items that they requested on their Wish List
to enable them to continue caring for pets in that county.
The Chapter had multiple bake-sales and raffles throughout the year to
secure funds for the new club, and to purchase t shirts for the members..
Also, the chapter created a logo for our campus that we hope to use on new
sweatshirts.
Lastly, the chapter held a Powder Puff football game for VT students on
campus over the holiday break.
Heritage
College News
The SCNAVTA of Heritage College Wichita volunteered an entire day at the Kansas
State Fair in September. The Kansas Veterinary Medical Association held a booth at
the Birthing Barns and the students assisted running a mock veterinary clinic for
the state fair visitors. The mock clinic was set up to allow children to ‘play vet’. They
got to wear kid size white lab coats, perform physical examinations on stuffed
animals, apply bandages, and read radiographs. The students that volunteered also
ran a mock calving demonstration; they birthed the realistic sixty pound calf about
a thousand times. At the end of the day, we are not sure who benefitted more from
the day’s activities, our SCNAVTA students or the community kids and visitors.
Heritage
College News
The SCNAVTA of Heritage College Wichita volunteered a day at Woofstock
this October. Woofstock is the largest fundraiser for the Kansas Humane
Society. Over ten thousand people and their pets visited the park for the
day’s festivities. The Heritage Vet Tech students held a booth to perform
Body Condition Scores on pets and also offer advice on managing weight
and obesity. They handed out customized Body Condition Score sheets,
measuring food cups and canned food lids (provided by Hill’s Science Diet).
The other big topic for the day was educating the general public on what a
Vet Tech is, the duties that a vet tech perform and what all can be
accomplished for animals by becoming a Vet Tech. The chapter looks
forward to holding another booth at next year’s Woofstock.
K-State Newsletter
Diagnostic newsletter for
technicians put out by K-state
Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.
http://www.ksvdl.org/resources/news/index.html
Calendar of Events
VSPN and Vet Med Team have many great CE classes see
www.vspn.org or www.vetmedteam.com
for more information
If you know of any great continuing education
opportunities please send them to:
Kansasvettech@aol.com
Calendar of Events
ACVS Surgery Summit
10/22/2015 to 10/24/2015
Where: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Nashville, Tennessee
Visit www.acvssurgerysummit.org
Small Animal Dermatology: What’s New in Diagnosis & Treatment
When: 10/24/2015
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
visit: www.wvc.org/ontheroad
20th Annual North Carolina Veterinary Conference Export to Your Calendar
11/6/2015 to 11/8/2015
Where: Raleigh Convention Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
Visit http://ncveterinaryconference.com/
VetTechLife CE on the Sea
March 17, 2016 - March 21, 2016
Location: Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel
Visit Website » http://vettechlife.com/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fCE-on-the-Sea-2016
AAHA Austin 2016
3/31/2016 to 4/3/2016
Where: Austin, Texas
Visit http://aaha.org/austin
2016 Calendar of Events
Hill's US 2016 National Veterinary Conferences
Conference Name Date Location Website
North American Veterinary
Conference Jan 16-20, 2016 Orlando, FL
http://navc.com/conference/
Midwest Veterinary Conference
(Ohio VMA) Feb 25-28, 2016 Columbus, OH
http://www.mvcinfo.org/
Western Veterinary Conference March 6-10, 2016 Las Vegas, NV http://www.wvc.org/
American Animal Hospital
Association
March 31-April 3,
2016 Austin, TX
https://www.aahanet.org/
CVC East TBD TBD
www.thecvc.com/
American College of Veterinary
Internal Medicine June 8-11, 2016 Denver, CO
http://www.acvim.org/ACVI
MForum.aspx
PacVet - Pacific Veterinary
Conference June 23-26, 2016
San Francisco,
CA
http://www.pacvet.net/
American Veterinary Medical
Association Aug 5-9, 2016 San Antonio, TX
http://www.avmaconvention.
org/
CVC Kansas City Aug 27-29, 2016 Kansas City, MO www.thecvc.com/
Veterinary Emergency & Critical
Care Society Sept 7-11, 2016 Grapevine, TX
http://2014.iveccs.org/
SouthWest Veterinary
Symposium (Texas VMA) Sept 29- Oct 2, 2016 Fort Worth, TX
http://www.swvs.org/index.p
hp
American College of Veterinary
Surgeons Oct 6-8, 2016 Seattle, Wa
http://www.acvc.org/
Wild West Veterinary
Conference Oct 12-16, 2016 Reno, Nv
http://www.wildwestvc.com/
Atlantic Coast Veterinary
Conference Oct 17 - 20, 2016 Atlantic City, NJ
http://acvc.org/
American Association of Feline
Practitioners
Nov 3-6, 2016
Washington, DC
http://www.catvets.com/edu
cation/conference
CVC San Diego Dec 9-11, 2016 San Diego, CA www.thecvc.com/
Calendar of Events
On- going CE
VSPN
http://www.vspn.org/
Vet Med Team
https://www.vetmedteam.com/home.aspx
IDEXX learning Center
https://www.idexxlearningcenter.com/idexx/d
efault.aspx?SSOTOKEN=0
Employment Opportunity
Veterinary Technician Needed
(Heartland Animal Hospital)
Veterinary Technician needed at Heartland Animal Hospital.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Full or Part time
Heartland Animal Hospital is a professional veterinary hospital
with accommodations for boarding/daycare/grooming. We are
looking for someone to fill a veterinary nurse position who is
interested in a long-term position and has excellent customer
service skill combined with a professional and friendly attitude.
**PLEASE APPLY IN PERSON
**Resumes are accepted but an application must be filled out as
well.
4100 N. Woodlawn
Bel Aire, KS 67220
316-744-2043
Contacts: Julie or Ashley
Heartland Animal Hospital
4100 N. Woodlawn
Wichita, KS 67220
316-744-2043
www.heartlandpetcenter.com
Employment Opportunity
Veterinary Technician Needed University
Bird and Small Animal Clinic
Veterinary Technician Position in Topeka, KS
University Bird and Small Animal Clinic is currently seeking a
licensed or registered veterinary technician for a full-time
position, though non-credentialed applicants will be considered
with the right experience level and interest in continuing
education.
Our clinic is a well-equipped, progressive small animal and
exotic practice; applicants that have experience working with
these species will be more competitive.
Applicants will be expected to work in the capacity of a well-
educated veterinary technician, be willing to work as part of a
team to complete daily housekeeping chores, and communicate
well with the public.
Please contact the clinic at 785-233-3185 if you have more
questions about the position. Resumes and cover letters may be
faxed at 785-233-5807 or sent to Dr. Larry Snyder, P.O. Box 4135,
Topeka, KS 66604.
Employment Opportunity
Wellness Technician position at
Great Plains SPCA.
Wellness Clinic Veterinary Technician Job Description:
Class: Non-Exempt
Revised: September 2015
Reports To: Clinic Manager
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Responsible for assisting veterinarians with patients and
clients in the Wellness Clinic.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide exceptional, compassionate and quality client
and patient care
• Assists veterinarian in patient care, administering
treatments, euthanasia, surgery and dentistry
• Performs basic pet care services including nail trims,
suture removal as advised by doctor, Micro-chipping, and
booster vaccines with minimal supervision
• Responsible for ensuring patient information is recorded
on paper or computerized medical chart
• Understands and performs safe, humane patient
restraint to maintain the safety of oneself, one’s colleagues
and the patient
• Maintains boarding and hospitalized pet quarters
assuring cleanliness of enclosures and patient comfort
• Maintains an exceptional level of cleanliness throughout
the clinic
• Sets up, exposes and develops radiographs
• Collects and analyses lab samples
• Assists the admin team in making sure the schedule
remains efficient and provides quality customer service
PHYSICAL EFFORT: Active. Heavy lifting – lifts and carries
items weighing up to 75 pounds. Sufficient mobility, vision
and hearing are needed to ensure a safe work
environment. Must be able to be on feet for more than six
hours at a time in a busy work environment
SKILLS NEEDED:
• Flexibility and Adaptability are essential. Candidates must
thrive in a fast-paced working environment
• Advanced internal and external customer service skills
• Ability to solve problems both medically and professionally
• Demonstrated ability to work with a team
• Willingness to coach and explain medical practices and
procedures
• Ability to understand animal behavior
• Ability to understand procedures used for the proper care
and handling of domestic animals
• Ability to multi task
• Must have good time management skills and be able
maintain and direct work flow.
• Ability to tolerate stress
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written
instructions including procedures for care and maintenance of
animals, exhibit, service and holding spaces
• Ability to endure high risk situations when feeding,
transferring or restraining animals
• Ability to exhibit patience when caring for animals
• Ability to exercise judgment concerning assigned work
activities
• Skilled in tact and diplomacy when interacting with co-
workers, visitors and volunteers
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Current certification as a Veterinary Technician or equivalent
experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• willingness to work a rotating shift and rotate work tasks.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings and
holidays, during all climatic conditions.
Please send resumes to email address:
smccoy@greatplainsspca.org. Applicants will also need to
complete a personality survey at the following link:
https://ciims.cindexinc.com/job/6fb725
Employment Opportunity
RVT needed at
Western Edge Veterinary Center
Applications can be sent to: Western Edge Veterinary Center
P.O. Box 251
Ness City, KS 67560
PH: 785-798-2373 – FAX: 1-800-509-6508
POSITION OPENING: Date: 9/21/15
Contact Person: Kris Harris, DVM, DABVP (Equine)
Western Edge Veterinary Center, 14487 N. Hwy 283, P.O. Box 251, Ness City, KS 67560,
Phone: 785-798-2373 Fax: 785-798-2991 Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm CST
Practice Information: Type: Small Animal, Mixed practice, Large, food animal and equine
Number of Veterinarians in the practice: 2
Practice Description: We are a busy mixed animal practice with a specialty in equine species. We
receive referrals from much of southwestern Kansas.
Community and Attractions: We are a growing community centrally located Between Hays, Dodge
City and Great Bend.
Position Title: Registered Veterinary Technician
Starting Date: Immediate opening
Application Deadline: None
Position Qualifications: Education: Registered Veterinary Technician
Experience: New graduates welcome
Other: Must be excellent with people and have good communication skills. Must be a self starter.
Position Description/Responsibilities: Detailed job description upon request. Summary of job
description: Client communication, large and small animal restraint, medical record management,
exam
room procedures, kennel management, medical treatments and assisting with anesthesia and
surgeries, performing diagnostic tests, venipuncture, IV Catheter management, etc.
Salary/Fringe benefit package: Salary will be based on experience and
performance. Benefits include sick days, vacation, health insurance,
retirement and paid holidays.
Application procedure: Call for additional information - Yes
Please send resume and cover letter - Yes
Employment Opportunity
Bayer Animal Health
Bayer Animal Health has 2 positions. Both positions are
posted on Bayer website at www.career.bayer.us for
further information.
Se the next pages for details
Application Period
January 18, 2016 - February 01,
2016
Reference Code
0000154038
Division
Bayer HealthCare
Company
US-KS-Shawnee Mission
Department
AH VTS Tech Svcs&Consumer Svcs
Phone Ctr
Locations
KS-Shawnee Mission, KS-Shawnee
Mission
Functional Area
Other Function Areas
Position Grade
M05
Employment Type
Regular
Work Time
Full-time
Bayer is an Equal Opportunity
Employer
Minorities / Females / Protected
Passion to innovate | Power to change
Companion Animal Technical
Services Registered Veterinary
Technician II
YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Answer incoming phone calls from sales representatives and customers, including
veterinary office staff and clients/consumers.
• Provide answers to general inquiries regarding routine product use, such as clarification and
information stated on label or product insert.
• Assume primary responsibility to respond to lay consumers calling on the consumer PSC
line.
• Maintain secondary responsibilities include responding to Vets/Clinics calling in on the VTS
line. Manage consumer on-line/internet inquiries. Make an appropriate determination when to
transfer the caller to a staff technical services veterinarian.
• Document and communicate adverse events, complaints, and inquiries within Bayer
regulatory guidelines/SOP.
• Maintain a high level of technical and clinical expertise related to Bayer product lines, with
an awareness of the demands and needs of the clinical/hospital setting.
• Assigns highest priority to the responsible management of telephone calls. Emphasize
service and promote positive customer relations in every customer contact. Treats caller
professionally, uses proper telephone etiquette and answers calls in a timely manner. Both
appropriate oral and written communication is required, including the utilization of proper
grammar.
• Constantly upgrade technical expertise by reading journals and attending scientific
seminars.
• Possess good computer skills and knowledge of the business- related utilization of the
Internet, as well as computer literacy, including proficiency with Word, Excel, Power Point,
Siebel, and Lotus Notes (PRD Database) is mandatory. Preference given for experience with
PV Works (Pharmacovigilance database).
• Knowledge of common veterinary medical conditions of major animal species, current
medical procedures and treatments, and internal and external parasites and their life cycles.
Maintain familiarity with veterinary practice operations and current medical knowledge in order
to maximize the ability to relate to situations encountered by the customer.
• Lead by example through consistently demonstrating high performance with regard to
quantitative and qualitative performance measures.
• Demonstrate advance problem solving skills, properly handling inquiries and complaints with
minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to perform additional duties as assigned. Research
Passion to innovate | Power to change
pertinent topics and prepare reports as requested by the Manager.
WHO YOU ARE
• AA degree (preferably in Biologics/Life Science) with active valid RVT (Registered
Veterinarian Technician) Certification and minimum of 3 years vet clinic experience required.
• Can substitute 1 year clinic experience with 2 years Animal Health Technical Services
experience.
• The incumbent must have computer and keyboard experience (MS Word, Excel, Power
Point minimum) and aptitude to enter ADE’s into validated Pharmacovigilance database (PV
Works).
• Incumbent must be current and knowledgeable in all aspects of veterinary medicine.
• Incumbent most possess excellent communication skills (both on the phone and in person),
and demonstrate organizational and people skills.
• The incumbent must be a team player who is a self-starter with a positive/helpful attitude.
• This individual can accomplish tasks with little or no supervision.
• Travel requirements: 5% of time and as required.
YOUR APPLICATION
Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs.
If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and you have the "Passion to
Innovate" and the "Power to Change", we encourage you to apply now.
Job postings will remain open for a minimum of ten business days and are subject to
immediate closure thereafter without additional notice.
To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.
CONTACT US
Address
Pittsburgh, PA
15205-9741
Telephone
+1 877 229-3727
E-Mail
hrdirectrecruitingus@bayer.com
Application Period
January 18, 2016 - February 01,
2016
Reference Code
0000154041
Division
Bayer HealthCare
Company
US-KS-Shawnee Mission
Department
AH VTS Tech Svcs&Consumer Svcs
Phone Ctr
Locations
KS-Shawnee Mission, KS-Shawnee
Mission
Functional Area
Other Function Areas
Position Grade
M05
Employment Type
Regular
Work Time
Full-time
Bayer is an Equal Opportunity
Employer
Minorities / Females / Protected
Passion to innovate | Power to change
Livestock or Mixed Animal Technical
Services Registered Veterinary
Technician Representative II
YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Answer incoming phone calls from sales representatives and customers, including
veterinary office staff and clients/consumers.
• Provide answers to general inquiries regarding routine product use, such as clarification and
information stated on label or product insert.
• Assume primary responsibility to respond to lay consumers calling on the consumer PSC
line.
• Maintain secondary responsibilities include responding to Vets/Clinics calling in on the VTS
line. Manage consumer on-line/internet inquiries. Make an appropriate determination when to
transfer the caller to a staff technical services veterinarian.
• Document and communicate adverse events, complaints, and inquiries within Bayer
regulatory guidelines/SOP.
• Maintain a high level of technical and clinical expertise related to Bayer product lines, with
an awareness of the demands and needs of the clinical/hospital setting.
• Assigns highest priority to the responsible management of telephone calls. Emphasize
service and promote positive customer relations in every customer contact. Treats caller
professionally, uses proper telephone etiquette and answers calls in a timely manner. Both
appropriate oral and written communication is required, including the utilization of proper
grammar.
• Constantly upgrade technical expertise by reading journals and attending scientific
seminars.
• Possess good computer skills and knowledge of the business- related utilization of the
Internet, as well as computer literacy, including proficiency with Word, Excel, Power Point,
Siebel, and Lotus Notes (PRD Database) is mandatory. Preference given for experience with
PV Works (Pharmacovigilance database).
• Knowledge of common veterinary medical conditions of major animal species, current
medical procedures and treatments, and internal and external parasites and their life cycles.
Maintain familiarity with veterinary practice operations and current medical knowledge in order
to maximize the ability to relate to situations encountered by the customer.
• Lead by example through consistently demonstrating high performance with regard to
quantitative and qualitative performance measures.
• Demonstrate advance problem solving skills, properly handling inquiries and complaints with
minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to perform additional duties as assigned. Research
Passion to innovate | Power to change
pertinent topics and prepare reports as requested by the Manager.
WHO YOU ARE
• AA degree (preferably in Biologics/Life Science) with active valid RVT (Registered
Veterinarian Technician) Certification and minimum of 3 years vet clinic experience required.
• Clinical Experience in Livestock or Large Animal practice is preferred.
• Can substitute 1 year clinic experience with 2 years Animal Health Technical Services
experience.
• The incumbent must have computer and keyboard experience (MS Word, Excel, Power
Point minimum) and aptitude to enter ADE’s into validated Pharmacovigilance database (PV
Works).
• Incumbent must be current and knowledgeable in all aspects of veterinary medicine.
• Incumbent most possess excellent communication skills (both on the phone and in person),
and demonstrate organizational and people skills.
• The incumbent must be a team player who is a self-starter with a positive/helpful attitude.
• This individual can accomplish tasks with little or no supervision.
• Travel requirements: 5% of time and as required.
YOUR APPLICATION
Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs.
If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and you have the "Passion to
Innovate" and the "Power to Change", we encourage you to apply now.
Job postings will remain open for a minimum of ten business days and are subject to
immediate closure thereafter without additional notice.
To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.
CONTACT US
Address
Pittsburgh, PA
15205-9741
Telephone
+1 877 229-3727
E-Mail
hrdirectrecruitingus@bayer.com
Employment Opportunity
If you have an employment
opportunity please
E- Mail opportunities to:
KansasVetTech@aol.com
We need KVTA
members News
Do you have any news?
We would love to include it in our newsletter.
We want to know what is going on in the state
of Kansas. New job, accomplishments, etc.
Send your information to
KansasVetTech@aol.com and we will include
your news in future newsletters.
Have you always wanted to write?
Now is your chance. Write an article for the KVTA Newsletter and you
could see your article published!
Send your article to KansaVetTech@aol.com
KVTA Contact Information
KVTA e-mail address:
KansasVetTech@aol.com
KVTA web site:
http://www.ksvta.org
KVTA mailing address:
Vicky Ograin
KVTA Secretary/ Treasurer
2502 SW Berkshire Dr.
Topeka, KS 66614
Find us on Facebook
Thank you to our Sponsors
Sponsors
Thank you to Hill’s Pet
Nutrition for your continue
support of the Kansas
Veterinary Technician
Association and technician.
Free Educational webinars see:
http://www.hillsvet.com/en/us/home#education for
more information.
Membership ends October 31, 2016
KVTA Membership Benefits
Accomplishments 2012-2015
• Increased membership
• Booth at CVC
• Executive board members attended KVMA meeting to strengthen relationship
• KVMA has invited KVTA to join their 2012- 2015 conference.
• Strengthened relationship with NAVTA
• Strengthening relationship with KVMA
• Updated website
• Facebook Page
• $250 KVTA student scholarship
• NVTW- KVTA has been granted a proclamation proclaiming the third week in
October Kansas Veterinary Technician week.
• Colby Fall Conference. KVTA and Hill’s sponsored lunch
• Strengthening relationship with MVTA
KVTA member benefits
• Newsletter
• Technician tract at KVMA conference
• Members meeting at K-State technician conference and Colby Fall Conference
• $250 student scholarship
KANSAS VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ASSOCATION
Membership Application (Please Print)
Date: New membership Renewal
Name:
Address:
(Street)
(City) (state) (zip)
Home Phone
E-mail
Your membership must include an e-mail.
Employer
Veterinarian’s name
Address
(street)
(City) (state) (zip)
Work phone
Your position/ title
Are you are NAVTA Member? Yes No
Membership type Active Associate
Active members are registered technicians, associated members are members of the health care team
I am: Registered, licensed, certified (circle one) in the state of
State registration number
What technician program did you attend?
Please send application and check or money order made out to KVTA for $25.00 to:
Vicky Ograin, RVT, MBA, VTS (Nutrition)
2502 SW Berkshire dr.
Topeka, KS 66614
Kansasvettech@aol.com
Membership applications are welcome anytime during the year, but expire October 31st.
KANSAS VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ASSOCATION
Student Membership Application (Please Print)
Date: New membership Renewal
Name:
Address:
(Street)
(City) (state) (zip)
Home Phone
E-mail
Your membership must include an e-mail.
Technician College
(street)
(City) (state) (zip)
College phone
Year of School Freshman Sophomore
Are you are NAVTA Member? Yes No
Planned graduation date?
Membership type Student Active member (see active membership form)
Student membership is free for students who are currently enrolled in a veterinary technology program in the State of
Kansas and are active in the Student Veterinary Technology Association.
Please send application to:
Vicky Ograin, RVT, MBA, VTS (Nutrition)
2502 SW Berkshire dr.
Topeka, KS 66614
Kansasvettech@aol.com
Membership applications are welcome anytime during the year, but expire October 31st.
We would love to heard from you!
 What is going on at your clinic or
place of work?
 Share your stories with the KVTA
membership
 Events- especially for National
Vet Tech Week
 Success Stories
 Photos
 Member profile
 Continuing Education article
Send submissions to KansasVetTech@aol.com
We would love to feature your story in a future
newsletter
Newsletter Winter 2016
Membership ends October 31, 2016
Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
KVTA Secretary/ Treasurer
2502 SW Berkshire Dr
Topeka, KS 66614
©2015 Kansas Veterinary Technician Association

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KVTA Winter 2016 Final

  • 1. Newsletter Winter 2016 KVTA Mission Statement The mission of the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association is to represent, promote, and advance the veterinary technician profession and enhance animal health and welfare within the state of Kansas and throughout the nation. It is through education, public awareness, membership development, and legislative initiative as well as by working together with the KVMA and allied professions that KVTA will achieve its mission. Visit the KVTA Web Site http://www.ksvta.org The KVTA is committed to career growth and advancement of veterinary technicians in the state of Kansas. Our goal is to promote the veterinary health care team and increase public awareness of veterinary technicians and our role on the veterinary health care team as well as promote the human-animal bond. The KVTA board of directors would like to thank you for joining KVTA as it is an organization built to support one another in our careers as professionals in Veterinary Medicine. Whether you are a highly experienced veterinary technician or a newcomer to the veterinary health care team, we encourage you to get involved let your colleagues know about the KVTA. We are only as strong as our membership!
  • 2. President’s Message Hello Kansas Veterinary Technicians, Happy New Year! The New Year brings an opportunity to start fresh. Many of us have the usual resolutions of weight loss, exercising more, and being a healthier person. As the 2016, KVTA President, I would like to purpose a few resolutions for 2016. Before we get to the new resolutions, let’s review 2015. In January, the KVTA had a technician track during the KVMA conference in McPherson. Kara Burns, MS, RVT, VTS(Nutrition) talked about Nutrition and how to empower yourself as a veterinary Technician. Diane Johnson, RVT, the founder of Operation Wildlife in Linwood also spoke at this conference. She gave the attendees information about the ins and outs of treating and caring for wildlife. In September, Governor Sam Brownback, signed a proclamation declaring October 11 to 17 as Kansas Veterinary Technician Week. In November, Vicky Ograin traveled to Colby to present the KVTA yearly update at the Colby Fall Conference. Now for my resolutions for 2016: The Board would like to add district representatives to the KVTA Board. These representatives would function in much the manner as the district representatives of the KVMA and would help represent their unique needs of their part of the state. If you are interested in serving in this role please contact a member of the KVTA Board. In the past, the KVTA hosted a continuing education session at Blue Pearl in Olathe. We would like to have other CE opportunities in other locations around the state. If are interested in CE in your part of the state and would help the Board by informing us of locations that we can use to host a session, please let us know. Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry) KVTA President
  • 3. President’s Message Technicians are a vital part of the veterinary healthcare team and should be very proud of their profession. It is our duty as professionals to stay informed of all the latest developments in our field. Not only will you but your employers and your patients will benefit from your drive to continue your education. If we work together we will make the KVTA stronger and help take our profession to the next level in our state. In addition to making the KVTA stronger, I encourage each of you to join NAVTA. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America has been very active advocating for your profession. In addition to investigating the possibility of national credentialing for technicians and the possible change of title to Veterinary Nurses NAVTA is also offering disability and dental insurance to the membership. Check out the changes at www.navta.net. I would like to hear from Veterinary Technician, assistants, and students to see what your vision for our state association and the profession. Please reach out to our board members and let us know how the KVTA can help make these changes a reality. Help us move forward!! Sincerely, Mary L. Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS(Dentistry) KVTA President Contact the board at: Kansasvettech@aol.com Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry) KVTA President
  • 4. Your 2016 Executive Board 2016 President Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry) I received my B.S. in Biology/Microbiology from South Dakota State University, an A.S. in Laboratory Animal Science from Redlands Community College, and my A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College. I am a charter member of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians and received her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Dentistry in June 2006. I am currently serving as the treasurer of the AVDT. I currently have memberships to the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science and the American Veterinary Dental Society. I worked with Odontex, Inc. and the University of Kansas for over 13 years, specializing in veterinary dental research on products aimed at improving oral health. I am currently the practice manager and dental specialist at Gentle Care Animal Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas, as well as the president of MLB Consulting, a veterinary dental consulting service. I have authored and co-authored over 45 publications including publications in the Journal of Dental Research, the Veterinary Technician Journal, and the NAVTA Journal and have been a speaker and wet lab instructor at numerous conferences that include the North American Veterinary Conference, Annual Veterinary Forum, American Veterinary Medical Association Conference, and the AAHA conference.
  • 5. Your 2016 Executive Board 2016 President- Elect Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) Kara Burns is a licensed veterinary technician originally from New England, now living in Kansas. She holds a master’s degree in physiology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. She began her career in human medicine working as an emergency psychologist in the Maine Medical Center emergency department. She also worked at Maine Poison Control as a poison specialist dealing with human and animal poisonings. She then made the move to veterinary medicine and worked in small animal private practice and a small animal and avian practice in Maine. Currently, she works for Hill’s Pet Nutrition as the veterinary technician specialist working with the graduate technician profession in all aspects – National association, State vet tech associations, specialty vet associations, and national, regional, and specialty conferences. She is a member of many national and state associations and holds positions on many board in the profession - such as the AAHA Yearly Conference Development Committee – Technician Chair, AAVN technician liaison, the NAVTA Journal editorial board, Chair - NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties, NAHERC, KS SART, and is the president- elect of the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association, to name a few. Kara is also the President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians, the tenth recognized specialty for veterinary technicians. She has authored many articles and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician utilization. Ms. Burns has been featured on the cover of the Veterinary Technician Journal and the NAVTA Journal. She is the 2010 NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year. Kara has also been named the National Association of Professional Women ‘Woman of the Year’ for 2010-2011 and the Cambridge Who’s Who in Professionals V.I.P. for 2010-2011. She enjoys spending time with her wife Dr. Ellen Lowery and their children. They are actively involved in youth sports, 4-H, school activities, and church ministry. The family also includes three horses, two sheep, 2 pugs, a greyhound cross, a French bulldog, 4 birds, 5 indoor cats, and a bearded dragon!
  • 6. Your 2016 Executive Board 2016 Secretary/ Treasurer/ NAVTA State Representative Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) 2016 Representative to the Veterinary Board Melissa Stromberg, BS, RVT Melissa graduated from Colby Community College in 2010 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and an Associate of Arts in General Studies. I then passed my state board and VTNE to become an RVT. I moved to Lawrence, KS and worked in a progressive 2 doctor practice for the next 2 years. During that time, I started the Technology Management online program through K-State at Salina. I moved back to Colby, KS in June 2012 and began designing courses and teaching in the Distance Learning Veterinary Technology Program at Colby Community College. Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management in May 2013 and started work on a Master of Agribusiness--Animal Health through K-State at Olathe in August 2013. Melissa is the NAVTA chapter advisor for the Distance Learning Veterinary Technology Program at Colby Community College. Vicky received a registered technician degree in 1983. She served in private practice for 18 years in California, and then 11 years ago began a new career with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. At Hill’s, she is on the Technical Information Services team. In 2007, she completed a Bachelor of Science and in 2008, she completed a Masters in 2008, both in Business Administration. Vicky is on the organizing committee and serves as secretary for the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians. She is a life member of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), and is the president-elect for 2012-2013. She is also a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association, serving on the RVT committee and House of Delegates. In this role she also serves as technician tract chair for the Pacific Veterinary Conference. She is also the Secretary/Treasurer for the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association. Vicky speaks national and internationally and is a published author. She has taught nutrition at the Professional Veterinary Assistant Program, and in 2011 she was awarded California Registered Veterinary Technician of the year.
  • 7. Your 2016 Executive Board 2016 Two Year Member at Large Sadie L. Kenney, RVT 2016 One Year Member at Large Amanda Hackerott, RVT Amanda received her AAS/ VT in 2011 from Carrington College California after experiencing the veterinary medical field as a receptionist and assistant for about six years prior. She has worked primarily in emergency practices, both in Kansas and in the San Francisco Bay Area. She moved back to Kansas in 2012 and worked for a year as the Treatment Technician and Administrative Assistant at the Kansas Humane Society. She sat for her VTNE exam in Kansas in 2013 and began her role as an instructor at Heritage College Wichita. She is currently the advisor of the student chapter of NAVTA on campus. A member of World Vets, she will be taking her first trip in March to teach international pre-vet/vet/tech students at the International Veterinary Medical Hospital in Granada, Nicaragua. She has a growing passion for Vet Tech education and looks forward to publishing and public speaking in the future. She resides in Wichita with her two year old daughter and Jimmy, a six year old yorkie mix.
  • 8. Your 2016 Executive Board 2016 Executive to the board Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT I hold an AAS degree in veterinary technology from Camden County College. I have also earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology and a doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. I am a certified laboratory animal technician and a credentialed veterinary technician in the state of Kansas. I currently serve on NAVTA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties and have previously served on state veterinary technician association boards and committees. I am also a past-president of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators, and was the first veterinary technician to be elected to that position. Over the past 28 years, I have been employed in human medical teaching facilities as a laboratory animal technician and as a veterinary technician in companion animal practices. I am currently the program director for a developing veterinary technology program in Overland Park, Kansas and have previously served as program director and faculty for both online and traditional veterinary technology programs in several states. I frequently speak at veterinary technician conferences, primarily in the area of Clinical Laboratory Techniques and have written several textbooks for veterinary technicians. I also serve as the Clinical Pathology Close-Up section editor for Veterinary Technician. My husband and I have three grown children and share our home with two spoiled dogs, a black Labrador and a pit bull mix, who know for an absolute fact that all living creatures on this planet were put here to play with them. In our spare time, we ride our local bicycle trails and volunteer at a hospital hospitality house. I am honored to serve and represent you on the KVVTA Executive Board.
  • 9. KVTA News Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) and Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT from the KVTA board attended the NAVTA Leadership Summit in Chicago, in January 2016. Association management and leadership were the topics. It was great to network with other state associations and VTS academies. Our own Mary Berg, BS, RLATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), KVTA President during a discussion at the NAVTA Leadership Summit.
  • 10. NAVTA News/ updates NAVTA Has been busy working for the membership. They had a strategy planning session in December 2015. They also are proposing a national title. NAVTA's position statement of the term Veterinary Nurse The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has initiated conversations with global, national, and state organizations in regards to consumer protection and patient care by implementing the use of the term Veterinary Nurse for the veterinary technician profession, as well as establishing a national standard for credentialing. The current credentialing systems, which vary state to state, has led to confusion for the veterinary consumer and within the veterinary profession. Establishing a single and standard title is the first step in the process to clarify the important role of the profession and provide enhanced patient care. Pets and pet owners are best protected and cared for by formally trained and credentialed veterinary nurses. For Credentialed Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Technician Specialists looking to advance their careers, the unified title will create a national and global standard. NAVTA aims to create an alignment within the veterinary field, provide education for veterinarians, paraprofessionals, and consumers to elevate the understanding of roles and responsibilities as they relate to patient care by veterinary nurses. In addition, NAVTA’s goal is to work hand in hand with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), professional veterinary organizations, and legislators to create common terminology, practice acts, policies, and procedures to ease the burden that could be placed on individual states and associations in credential governance.
  • 11. NAVTA News/ updates NAVTA Demographic survey Participate in the survey to have your opinion recorded You do not have to be a member to participate. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/De mographics2016
  • 12. KVMA News Register at: http://ksvma.site- ym.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=752589
  • 14. Continuing Education Article Mental Health Awareness: Is There A Place for Crisis Intervention in Veterinary Medicine? Amanda Hackerott, RVT Burnout. Compassion fatigue. Grief. Job stress. Life in general stress. These are all daily experiences for those of us in the veterinary medical field. No matter our title, we all know it to be true, our jobs are especially trying on the mind, body and soul. I believe there is a way to alleviate some of our hardships: by the use of something called crisis intervention. Crisis intervention. The term has a dramatic tone but really it is a simple way to produce less stress due by responding to crisis or disasters in certain ways. This type of intervention has been used for decades by military/ law enforcement, fire fighting and disaster response teams to help identify and reduce job related stress. The Center for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association teamed up and put out a report on Veterinarians and Mental Health, in which more than ten thousand practicing veterinarians were polled over topics related to mental health in their chosen field. The results were pretty shocking and showed us that 24.5% of males and 36.7% of females in veterinary medicine have experienced depressive episodes since leaving veterinary school, which is one and a half times the prevalence of an average adult in their lifetime. Also reported in this poll was that 14.4% of males and 19.1% of females in the veterinary profession have considered suicide since leaving veterinary school; that is three times the United States citizen national average. The CDC asked the polled respondents to
  • 15. Continuing Education Article define the primary professional stressors that are considered to be the causes of their work related mental illness; the three causes were identified as the demands of veterinary practice, veterinary practice management responsibilities; and professional mistakes and client complaints. It was practicing veterinarians who were polled in the above reference (69% of them in small animal practice) though I expect these feelings of stress and depression are by no means exclusively felt by only those with the doctorate in our field. The on the job stress we face doesn't differ by level of education, nor merely by the duties our titles suggests we perform. I would not be surprised at all to see high numbers of front desk staff, assistants, and technicians admit to feeling overwhelmed, compassion-fatigued, or grief stricken if polled in the same way. We in the veterinary medical field, be it in Emergency and Critical Care, or in General Practice, the veterinary specialists or the kennel assistants that experiences the stress and grief cycles of caregiving, undoubtedly fit into these statistics somehow. If the general public has such a potential to deal with trauma (3 out of 4 Americans will at some point in just their normal everyday life), for those of us in a medical health profession such as ours, we know this is a solid fact, we see it every single day; every appointment on our schedule has the potential to be traumatic or critical or stressful. We owe it to ourselves and to our future veterinarians, technicians, and assistants to battle this growing affliction of stress overload with a more forced awareness of
  • 16. Continuing Education Article on the job stress and then offer opportunities to seek effective and accessible resources. That is where I think crisis intervention plays a crucial role in the fight for mental health awareness and ease of availability of resources in our field. The whole core idea of crisis intervention really addresses the response to extreme stress rather than the stressful event itself. If we can guide ourselves toward responding to crisis in ways that both reduce stress and increase our personal and professional resilience, then we will be better off as a community and for those we serve. We have to be able to funnel the energy of a 'bad day at the clinic, or shelter, or zoo' to a place where it can be harnessed and used to better the everyday experience on the job and in turn, our own mental health. But day to day, in the clinics, shelters, kennels, and rescues, what can be done to reduce the many causes of overwhelming stress we face? How do we effectively reduce the stressors in our life in general? What do we really have control over, and how realistic is it to change our mental/emotional state? The three stressors identified in the CDC/ AVMA study mentioned above were practice itself, management and client and/or patient related issues. We really can't change the causes of our professional stress, short of just leaving the profession entirely, but we can change how we are able to cope with them and still be productive and passionate in our careers. So, how do we do it? Where do we start? What have we tried before? I, for one, am very proud of all of the recent light spotlighting all of the mental health awareness resources available to our field. The University of Tennessee has created the Veterinary Social Work team.
  • 17. Continuing Education Article They dedicate themselves to the human aspects of treating animal patients and all the strings attached to that practice. There is a (suicide-like) hotline and a certificate program available from the University to allow an always open ear to the difficulties of everyday practice (and hopefully save a life), and further awareness, respectively. This past spring we also saw the very First International Symposium of Veterinary Medicine Mental Health and Suicide Prevention held in Brisbane, Australia. The field has really upped its awareness in regards to mental health, but how can we address it in everyday practice? How can we be sure that the plan we create and further implement is inclusive to all persons within the practice? Veterinary practice staff can always work the topics of burnout and compassion fatigue into regularly scheduled staff meeting agendas, but will that ensure that a technician or other staff member will, in front of their professional peers, indulge that they are depressed and can hardly get out of bed in the morning? Would they be able to adequately explain that it isn't because they don't love their job, but that her current coping mechanisms have failed her, due to the extreme stresses of the job or because of a recent traumatic event? Dr. Hayden Duggan, a leader within the International Fire Chief Association writes about crisis intervention, "the most effective methods for mitigating the effects of exposure to trauma, those which will help keep our people healthy and in service, are those which use early intervention, and are multimodal. They use different 'active ingredients...' And these components are used at the right time and at the appropriate time with the right target group." The use of a stress
  • 18. Continuing Education Article or crisis intervention plan does not have to be set in stone; there isn't a one way to be done plan and that is why it is perfect for us to implement into practice. I fully agree that the use of stress/ crisis intervention within the veterinary medical profession must be tailored to our very unique and specific stresses and needs. There is a open planning aspect to the use of crisis intervention and I am sure we can find a way to make it work for all of us. Dr. Everly tells us in the chapter titled A Protocol for Working with Individuals in Crisis, "that effectively aiding an individual in crisis usually requires more than merely allowing that individual to engage in cathartic ventilation. Effective crisis intervention usually requires a plan, or protocol, to serve as a general aide for intervention.“ I can see response-oriented crisis intervention being critical to saving veterinarians lives, making us even stronger professionals and better healers. In fact, early psychological intervention (i.e., response-oriented crisis intervention) is best thought of as a means of enhancing resiliency, which is beneficial in many aspects of everyday life. The 'type' of intervention I can see being useful to our profession is what Dr. Everly calls the SAFER method. We will elaborate more on the steps later on but overall this method consists of five simple steps: S: Stabilize (this the period immediately after a critical or traumatic event, size or severity not relevant, there is potentially lots of stress and emotion involved) A: Acknowledge the crisis (identify the trigger point and define the situation and response) F: Facilitate understanding (sympathize and/or empathize if possible) E: Encourage effective coping (method or plan of action) R: Recovery or Referral ( Maintaining progress of recovery)
  • 19. Continuing Education Article For example, an in clinic crisis intervention (loosely based off of the Everly method) could look like this: after an hour-long attempt to resuscitate an animal after cardiac arrest, including an unsuccessful open chested heart massage, the medical team including the veterinarian, anesthetist, surgical assistant, and anyone else tied to the case has a 'de-briefing' of the events in which they discuss their thoughts and feelings and provide support to each other immediately following the crisis situation. The small group, be it even smaller in a different scenario, discuss the signs and happenings that led up to the event, how they reacted, what they remember physically being able to do and accomplish, and how they felt after the work was done. It is important to re-live the thoughts and emotions before, during and after an emergency or traumatic event in order to define and cope and avoid further distress. We must learn to identify our reactions in order to try to change them in the future. Here is another possible scenario: a veterinary technician has recently been unable to assist with euthanasia for a while now because she had to put her own animal to sleep in a traumatic end of life decision. She has an especially hard time with any hit by car traumas, again because of her own recent history. This person, a trained and wonderful staff member, is not pulling her weight at the time because she is so engulfed in her grief. And that is ok. Of course the staff extends their compassion to her but it isn't enough to pull her out of the emotions she's feeling. Crisis intervention, as a way to identify emotions and navigate them continually after a crisis event, is a positive way to alleviate some of her inability to perform her job as before. For example, if this employee is able to identify her response to the
  • 20. Continuing Education Article traumatic encounter she had with her own pet by talking through the trauma with a coworker or with a peer in the profession. She may be able to process her emotions and find some sort of closure during a process similar to the above described intervention. This may allow her to get back to the grind of the job in the clinic without being so emotionally stressed by the act of euthanasia. Is there time for stress/crisis intervention in the everyday vet practice? Perhaps even just a pre-printed sheet available to staff with questions that allow the participant to freely identify and express their emotional stress. Maybe, for example, questions such as: • What events happened today that may have caused you distress? • What are your thoughts and/or feeling on what led up to this situation or event? • What was your role in the situation as it unfolded? • What was the outcome of the event and how do you feel now? These kind of 'stress intervention sheets' could be located in a conspicuous location in the practice, available for any one person in the practice to grab and fill out as a way to vent their emotions or give name to the stressors of their everyday life within the practice and to a reasonable extent, the stressors of life outside of work. If we can attempt to identify the struggles and stresses as they come to us, we may be able to create a solution to relieve them or change how we react to the stress in the future.
  • 21. Continuing Education Article Having the intervention be simple and concise, without the act being publicized is a way to make employees feel like it is okay to talk about what bothers them. A practice manager or Human Resource personnel, acting as interventionist, could even mandate the use of such forms as a way to proactively prevent things like burnout or compassion fatigue from even occurring. Dr. Everly actually recommends using a small group of trusted peers (other veterinary technicians/ veterinarians) to facilitate the movement of communication, especially when the group is specially trained/educated (which we are!), or possesses a unique culture (we definitely have that, not just ANY one can understand our jobs and difficulties), or may be perceived as misunderstood (hence the aforementioned fear of complaining or sounding whiny). Whether or not to use anonymity on these forms is debatable. You want someone to give their honest to goodness truth with any intervention type process but if they know their name will be tied to the complaint, no matter how silly or grave it may be, that may inhibit their true feelings from being exposed. On the other hand, you want to know who is feeling and experiencing what so there can be a plan made for them to further the intervention, if needed. The responsibility of the interventionist then, once a plan of intervention is implemented, is to help or guide the individual(s) involved to a place of understanding and growth. Dr. Everly suggests, as an example, to first normalize the situation by suggesting a friendly statement such as, "its okay to feel that way, we all have those feelings
  • 22. Continuing Education Article sometimes." The first attempt is to make it clearly known that it is okay to feel and express those emotions during this intervention process. Secondly, attribute reactions (like bursting out in tears or being grouchy more days than not) to situations and not to a specific personal weakness. Third and lastly, attempt to identify personal stress management tools to empower the concerned individual and encourage effective coping. This step in the process is where a little creativity may be needed to know or find out what drives a person, where their passion lies and help them make a plan of action to recognize reactions (like having a bad entire day because the first patient came in crashing and they were unable to save them) and attempting to avoid that reaction in the future. Sometimes the stress or event is something more human relations related and being able to problem solve together and find identifiable coping resources may be helpful for them to return to a more normal work environment. The resource could even be as easy as the interventionist just being an open ear to coworkers, thus feeding a more compassionate workplace opposed to one of static negativity. Ideally we can come to a point in the near future where we would be able to self train ourselves to the standards and methods referenced above or ones that are of similar use and benefit. In a perfect world, every veterinary clinic head technician or practice/ office manager would have time to really focus on the intrapersonal aspects of veterinary staff or better yet, a person on every team dedicated to just stress and crisis intervention. As our field continues to grow, as new students graduate into the same stressors as we know already exist, a change will have to come to keep us lifted and as caring as the day we started our career.
  • 23. Continuing Education Article Should we not at least try this kind of approach as a way to save our profession further headaches, heart-breaks and news headlines? We are responsible for changing those dreaded statistics that leer over our field of practice. The use of crisis or stress intervention has been used and implemented successfully in fields very similar to our own. The variety of possible methods used can increase the many benefits which include strengthening personal and professional resiliency, which could relieve our turnover rates by make better employees. I believe that crisis intervention has the potential to be extremely useful in veterinary medicine, no matter the size of the practice or employee population, no matter the situation, stress or crisis. If it could save even one person from experiencing the sometimes overwhelming feelings that come with working in our profession, or if the use of stress intervention could make us stronger, better, then why not try to implement something of the sort? The freedom to begin a trend belongs to us, this is a platform that affects every one person that cares about animals in the health care setting and beyond. In regards to changing the profession, eliminating dreaded statistics and the trend of suicide in our field, to encourage growth in our profession and excite new graduates, I think Thomas Carlyle said it best, "Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.“ *Anyone who may be interested in Crisis Intervention training is encouragingly recommended to investigate Dr. George Everly and the above referenced work or contact the author for further information.
  • 24. Continuing Education Article REFRENCES 1. Veterinarians and Mental Health: CDC Results and 2. Resources.American Veterinary Medical Association, 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015 3. Everly, Jr., George S. Assisting Individuals in Crisis. Maryland: Loyola College, The John Hopkins University, 2006. Print. 4. www.vetsocialwork.utk.edu 5. Duggan, Hayden. ICHIEFS. International Association of Fire Chiefs. 2002. Web. 1 Sept. 2002 . KVTA thanks Amanda for sharing this informative article
  • 25. Hot Topic Christine Hackworth, RVT Discovers new tapeworm parasite in Maned Wolf A tapeworm parasite more typically found in domestic dogs and cats has been discovered in a Maned Wolf from Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo. The discovery, thought to be the only known incidence of the parasite in a Maned Wolf, was made not by a faculty veterinarian or researcher, but by a vigilant registered veterinary technician in the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine: Christine Hackworth. This class of tapeworm parasites are called Mesocestoides. Hackworth works in the zoological medicine and dermatology sections of the Veterinary Health Center. Her work was notable enough that she wrote up the finding in the latest issue of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. “I happened to come across it in a fecal sample submitted for testing,” Hackworth said. “I dissected a tapeworm segment that was present on the feces. This is the first reported case in a live captive animal, so it was just by luck that I found it, but I knew it was something worth pursuing.” Dr. David Eshar, assistant professor in companion exotic pets, wildlife and zoo animal medicine helped review and co-author Hackworth’s discovery. “Veterinary care of zoo animals is becoming more and more sophisticated and requires teamwork and the joined skills of the animals’ keepers, veterinarians and veterinary technicians,” Dr. Eshar said. “Christine is a well-trained and highly experienced veterinary technician who shares the Veterinary Health Care’s responsibility for the welfare of Sunset Zoo animals. In this Maned Wolf case, her exceptional knowledge of veterinary parasitology played a pivotal role in the identification and treatment of this unusual intestinal infection.”
  • 26. Hot Topic “Christine exemplifies the very best in the excellent team of veterinary technicians who provide care for patients in the Veterinary Health Center,” said Dr. Shirley Arck, administrator of the Veterinary Health Center. “We are so pleased and proud that her outstanding work has been recognized by the community of experts in zoo animal medicine.” Two other co-authors contributed to Hackworth’s article: Dr. Dana Lindemann, an intern at the Veterinary Health Center, and Dr. Michael Dryden, university distinguished professor of veterinary parasitology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Eshar added, “Sharing the gained knowledge and clinical experience with our peers via the scientific literature is imperative and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the management of this unique species. Every submitted manuscript is reviewed by at least two professionals and the fact that Christine’s report was accepted and published shows the high quality of her work. We are all very proud of her, as not many can get their submission accepted into this one and only zoo medicine journal.”
  • 27. Independence Community College Veterinary Technology Program During the fall semester, the students at the Independence Community College Veterinary Technology Program spent some time outside of the classroom helping out local animal shelters. At the “Coffeyville Friends of Animals” shelter the students volunteered by thoroughly cleaning the indoor cages and runs. During that time, the shelter animals enjoyed the extra attention. The “Animals With Our Love” animal shelter (AWOL) needed some assistance with thoroughly cleaning their dog ward facility. This provided another great opportunity to volunteer in our community. The students took turns power washing the facility and walking dogs. Helping in the community builds character!!!
  • 28. We just finished the first week of the new spring semester and our freshman students are off to a great start. In 7 weeks, the sophomore students will be heading off for their externships and they are getting a little nervous and excited at the same time. We wish them the best and we know that they will do well!! Mrs. Benning Independence Community College Veterinary Technology Program During the fall semester, the sophomore students had the opportunity through the KDWP to help injured wildlife. The students worked together to examine, x-ray, and treat the wildlife patients and to make sure that the wildlife patients ate daily and had clean cages. One of the patients was an adult barred owl that had a head injury. After 6 days of treatment, the owl was eating well on its own and was ready to release. An adult male opossum that was hit by a car was presented with bleeding from the mouth and nose and difficulty breathing. It had fractures to the skull, including the right zygomatic arch. It took a longer time for this patient to fully recover, but he was able to be successfully released. The students also had the opportunity to work together raising a baby squirrel that was released in late October.
  • 29. Heritage College News The Student Chapter NAVTA of Heritage College Wichita had an exciting and action packed first year in existence. The chapter kicked off the Spring of 2015 with a campus wide fundraiser for the Caring Hands Humane Society in Newton, Kansas. We were able to provide the shelter with many items that they requested on their Wish List to enable them to continue caring for pets in that county. The Chapter had multiple bake-sales and raffles throughout the year to secure funds for the new club, and to purchase t shirts for the members.. Also, the chapter created a logo for our campus that we hope to use on new sweatshirts. Lastly, the chapter held a Powder Puff football game for VT students on campus over the holiday break.
  • 30. Heritage College News The SCNAVTA of Heritage College Wichita volunteered an entire day at the Kansas State Fair in September. The Kansas Veterinary Medical Association held a booth at the Birthing Barns and the students assisted running a mock veterinary clinic for the state fair visitors. The mock clinic was set up to allow children to ‘play vet’. They got to wear kid size white lab coats, perform physical examinations on stuffed animals, apply bandages, and read radiographs. The students that volunteered also ran a mock calving demonstration; they birthed the realistic sixty pound calf about a thousand times. At the end of the day, we are not sure who benefitted more from the day’s activities, our SCNAVTA students or the community kids and visitors.
  • 31. Heritage College News The SCNAVTA of Heritage College Wichita volunteered a day at Woofstock this October. Woofstock is the largest fundraiser for the Kansas Humane Society. Over ten thousand people and their pets visited the park for the day’s festivities. The Heritage Vet Tech students held a booth to perform Body Condition Scores on pets and also offer advice on managing weight and obesity. They handed out customized Body Condition Score sheets, measuring food cups and canned food lids (provided by Hill’s Science Diet). The other big topic for the day was educating the general public on what a Vet Tech is, the duties that a vet tech perform and what all can be accomplished for animals by becoming a Vet Tech. The chapter looks forward to holding another booth at next year’s Woofstock.
  • 32. K-State Newsletter Diagnostic newsletter for technicians put out by K-state Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. http://www.ksvdl.org/resources/news/index.html
  • 33. Calendar of Events VSPN and Vet Med Team have many great CE classes see www.vspn.org or www.vetmedteam.com for more information If you know of any great continuing education opportunities please send them to: Kansasvettech@aol.com
  • 34. Calendar of Events ACVS Surgery Summit 10/22/2015 to 10/24/2015 Where: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville, Tennessee Visit www.acvssurgerysummit.org Small Animal Dermatology: What’s New in Diagnosis & Treatment When: 10/24/2015 Where: Indianapolis, Indiana visit: www.wvc.org/ontheroad 20th Annual North Carolina Veterinary Conference Export to Your Calendar 11/6/2015 to 11/8/2015 Where: Raleigh Convention Center Raleigh, North Carolina Visit http://ncveterinaryconference.com/ VetTechLife CE on the Sea March 17, 2016 - March 21, 2016 Location: Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel Visit Website » http://vettechlife.com/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fCE-on-the-Sea-2016 AAHA Austin 2016 3/31/2016 to 4/3/2016 Where: Austin, Texas Visit http://aaha.org/austin
  • 35. 2016 Calendar of Events Hill's US 2016 National Veterinary Conferences Conference Name Date Location Website North American Veterinary Conference Jan 16-20, 2016 Orlando, FL http://navc.com/conference/ Midwest Veterinary Conference (Ohio VMA) Feb 25-28, 2016 Columbus, OH http://www.mvcinfo.org/ Western Veterinary Conference March 6-10, 2016 Las Vegas, NV http://www.wvc.org/ American Animal Hospital Association March 31-April 3, 2016 Austin, TX https://www.aahanet.org/ CVC East TBD TBD www.thecvc.com/ American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine June 8-11, 2016 Denver, CO http://www.acvim.org/ACVI MForum.aspx PacVet - Pacific Veterinary Conference June 23-26, 2016 San Francisco, CA http://www.pacvet.net/ American Veterinary Medical Association Aug 5-9, 2016 San Antonio, TX http://www.avmaconvention. org/ CVC Kansas City Aug 27-29, 2016 Kansas City, MO www.thecvc.com/ Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society Sept 7-11, 2016 Grapevine, TX http://2014.iveccs.org/ SouthWest Veterinary Symposium (Texas VMA) Sept 29- Oct 2, 2016 Fort Worth, TX http://www.swvs.org/index.p hp American College of Veterinary Surgeons Oct 6-8, 2016 Seattle, Wa http://www.acvc.org/ Wild West Veterinary Conference Oct 12-16, 2016 Reno, Nv http://www.wildwestvc.com/ Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference Oct 17 - 20, 2016 Atlantic City, NJ http://acvc.org/ American Association of Feline Practitioners Nov 3-6, 2016 Washington, DC http://www.catvets.com/edu cation/conference CVC San Diego Dec 9-11, 2016 San Diego, CA www.thecvc.com/
  • 36. Calendar of Events On- going CE VSPN http://www.vspn.org/ Vet Med Team https://www.vetmedteam.com/home.aspx IDEXX learning Center https://www.idexxlearningcenter.com/idexx/d efault.aspx?SSOTOKEN=0
  • 37. Employment Opportunity Veterinary Technician Needed (Heartland Animal Hospital) Veterinary Technician needed at Heartland Animal Hospital. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Full or Part time Heartland Animal Hospital is a professional veterinary hospital with accommodations for boarding/daycare/grooming. We are looking for someone to fill a veterinary nurse position who is interested in a long-term position and has excellent customer service skill combined with a professional and friendly attitude. **PLEASE APPLY IN PERSON **Resumes are accepted but an application must be filled out as well. 4100 N. Woodlawn Bel Aire, KS 67220 316-744-2043 Contacts: Julie or Ashley Heartland Animal Hospital 4100 N. Woodlawn Wichita, KS 67220 316-744-2043 www.heartlandpetcenter.com
  • 38. Employment Opportunity Veterinary Technician Needed University Bird and Small Animal Clinic Veterinary Technician Position in Topeka, KS University Bird and Small Animal Clinic is currently seeking a licensed or registered veterinary technician for a full-time position, though non-credentialed applicants will be considered with the right experience level and interest in continuing education. Our clinic is a well-equipped, progressive small animal and exotic practice; applicants that have experience working with these species will be more competitive. Applicants will be expected to work in the capacity of a well- educated veterinary technician, be willing to work as part of a team to complete daily housekeeping chores, and communicate well with the public. Please contact the clinic at 785-233-3185 if you have more questions about the position. Resumes and cover letters may be faxed at 785-233-5807 or sent to Dr. Larry Snyder, P.O. Box 4135, Topeka, KS 66604.
  • 39. Employment Opportunity Wellness Technician position at Great Plains SPCA. Wellness Clinic Veterinary Technician Job Description: Class: Non-Exempt Revised: September 2015 Reports To: Clinic Manager POSITION OVERVIEW: Responsible for assisting veterinarians with patients and clients in the Wellness Clinic. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: • Provide exceptional, compassionate and quality client and patient care • Assists veterinarian in patient care, administering treatments, euthanasia, surgery and dentistry • Performs basic pet care services including nail trims, suture removal as advised by doctor, Micro-chipping, and booster vaccines with minimal supervision • Responsible for ensuring patient information is recorded on paper or computerized medical chart • Understands and performs safe, humane patient restraint to maintain the safety of oneself, one’s colleagues and the patient • Maintains boarding and hospitalized pet quarters assuring cleanliness of enclosures and patient comfort • Maintains an exceptional level of cleanliness throughout the clinic • Sets up, exposes and develops radiographs • Collects and analyses lab samples • Assists the admin team in making sure the schedule remains efficient and provides quality customer service PHYSICAL EFFORT: Active. Heavy lifting – lifts and carries items weighing up to 75 pounds. Sufficient mobility, vision and hearing are needed to ensure a safe work environment. Must be able to be on feet for more than six hours at a time in a busy work environment SKILLS NEEDED: • Flexibility and Adaptability are essential. Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced working environment • Advanced internal and external customer service skills • Ability to solve problems both medically and professionally • Demonstrated ability to work with a team • Willingness to coach and explain medical practices and procedures • Ability to understand animal behavior • Ability to understand procedures used for the proper care and handling of domestic animals • Ability to multi task • Must have good time management skills and be able maintain and direct work flow. • Ability to tolerate stress • Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions including procedures for care and maintenance of animals, exhibit, service and holding spaces • Ability to endure high risk situations when feeding, transferring or restraining animals • Ability to exhibit patience when caring for animals • Ability to exercise judgment concerning assigned work activities • Skilled in tact and diplomacy when interacting with co- workers, visitors and volunteers EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Current certification as a Veterinary Technician or equivalent experience. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: • Possess a valid driver’s license • willingness to work a rotating shift and rotate work tasks. • Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings and holidays, during all climatic conditions. Please send resumes to email address: smccoy@greatplainsspca.org. Applicants will also need to complete a personality survey at the following link: https://ciims.cindexinc.com/job/6fb725
  • 40. Employment Opportunity RVT needed at Western Edge Veterinary Center Applications can be sent to: Western Edge Veterinary Center P.O. Box 251 Ness City, KS 67560 PH: 785-798-2373 – FAX: 1-800-509-6508 POSITION OPENING: Date: 9/21/15 Contact Person: Kris Harris, DVM, DABVP (Equine) Western Edge Veterinary Center, 14487 N. Hwy 283, P.O. Box 251, Ness City, KS 67560, Phone: 785-798-2373 Fax: 785-798-2991 Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm CST Practice Information: Type: Small Animal, Mixed practice, Large, food animal and equine Number of Veterinarians in the practice: 2 Practice Description: We are a busy mixed animal practice with a specialty in equine species. We receive referrals from much of southwestern Kansas. Community and Attractions: We are a growing community centrally located Between Hays, Dodge City and Great Bend. Position Title: Registered Veterinary Technician Starting Date: Immediate opening Application Deadline: None Position Qualifications: Education: Registered Veterinary Technician Experience: New graduates welcome Other: Must be excellent with people and have good communication skills. Must be a self starter. Position Description/Responsibilities: Detailed job description upon request. Summary of job description: Client communication, large and small animal restraint, medical record management, exam room procedures, kennel management, medical treatments and assisting with anesthesia and surgeries, performing diagnostic tests, venipuncture, IV Catheter management, etc. Salary/Fringe benefit package: Salary will be based on experience and performance. Benefits include sick days, vacation, health insurance, retirement and paid holidays. Application procedure: Call for additional information - Yes Please send resume and cover letter - Yes
  • 41. Employment Opportunity Bayer Animal Health Bayer Animal Health has 2 positions. Both positions are posted on Bayer website at www.career.bayer.us for further information. Se the next pages for details
  • 42. Application Period January 18, 2016 - February 01, 2016 Reference Code 0000154038 Division Bayer HealthCare Company US-KS-Shawnee Mission Department AH VTS Tech Svcs&Consumer Svcs Phone Ctr Locations KS-Shawnee Mission, KS-Shawnee Mission Functional Area Other Function Areas Position Grade M05 Employment Type Regular Work Time Full-time Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities / Females / Protected Passion to innovate | Power to change Companion Animal Technical Services Registered Veterinary Technician II YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Answer incoming phone calls from sales representatives and customers, including veterinary office staff and clients/consumers. • Provide answers to general inquiries regarding routine product use, such as clarification and information stated on label or product insert. • Assume primary responsibility to respond to lay consumers calling on the consumer PSC line. • Maintain secondary responsibilities include responding to Vets/Clinics calling in on the VTS line. Manage consumer on-line/internet inquiries. Make an appropriate determination when to transfer the caller to a staff technical services veterinarian. • Document and communicate adverse events, complaints, and inquiries within Bayer regulatory guidelines/SOP. • Maintain a high level of technical and clinical expertise related to Bayer product lines, with an awareness of the demands and needs of the clinical/hospital setting. • Assigns highest priority to the responsible management of telephone calls. Emphasize service and promote positive customer relations in every customer contact. Treats caller professionally, uses proper telephone etiquette and answers calls in a timely manner. Both appropriate oral and written communication is required, including the utilization of proper grammar. • Constantly upgrade technical expertise by reading journals and attending scientific seminars. • Possess good computer skills and knowledge of the business- related utilization of the Internet, as well as computer literacy, including proficiency with Word, Excel, Power Point, Siebel, and Lotus Notes (PRD Database) is mandatory. Preference given for experience with PV Works (Pharmacovigilance database). • Knowledge of common veterinary medical conditions of major animal species, current medical procedures and treatments, and internal and external parasites and their life cycles. Maintain familiarity with veterinary practice operations and current medical knowledge in order to maximize the ability to relate to situations encountered by the customer. • Lead by example through consistently demonstrating high performance with regard to quantitative and qualitative performance measures. • Demonstrate advance problem solving skills, properly handling inquiries and complaints with minimal supervision. • Demonstrate willingness and ability to perform additional duties as assigned. Research
  • 43. Passion to innovate | Power to change pertinent topics and prepare reports as requested by the Manager. WHO YOU ARE • AA degree (preferably in Biologics/Life Science) with active valid RVT (Registered Veterinarian Technician) Certification and minimum of 3 years vet clinic experience required. • Can substitute 1 year clinic experience with 2 years Animal Health Technical Services experience. • The incumbent must have computer and keyboard experience (MS Word, Excel, Power Point minimum) and aptitude to enter ADE’s into validated Pharmacovigilance database (PV Works). • Incumbent must be current and knowledgeable in all aspects of veterinary medicine. • Incumbent most possess excellent communication skills (both on the phone and in person), and demonstrate organizational and people skills. • The incumbent must be a team player who is a self-starter with a positive/helpful attitude. • This individual can accomplish tasks with little or no supervision. • Travel requirements: 5% of time and as required. YOUR APPLICATION Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and you have the "Passion to Innovate" and the "Power to Change", we encourage you to apply now. Job postings will remain open for a minimum of ten business days and are subject to immediate closure thereafter without additional notice. To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes. CONTACT US Address Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741 Telephone +1 877 229-3727 E-Mail hrdirectrecruitingus@bayer.com
  • 44. Application Period January 18, 2016 - February 01, 2016 Reference Code 0000154041 Division Bayer HealthCare Company US-KS-Shawnee Mission Department AH VTS Tech Svcs&Consumer Svcs Phone Ctr Locations KS-Shawnee Mission, KS-Shawnee Mission Functional Area Other Function Areas Position Grade M05 Employment Type Regular Work Time Full-time Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities / Females / Protected Passion to innovate | Power to change Livestock or Mixed Animal Technical Services Registered Veterinary Technician Representative II YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Answer incoming phone calls from sales representatives and customers, including veterinary office staff and clients/consumers. • Provide answers to general inquiries regarding routine product use, such as clarification and information stated on label or product insert. • Assume primary responsibility to respond to lay consumers calling on the consumer PSC line. • Maintain secondary responsibilities include responding to Vets/Clinics calling in on the VTS line. Manage consumer on-line/internet inquiries. Make an appropriate determination when to transfer the caller to a staff technical services veterinarian. • Document and communicate adverse events, complaints, and inquiries within Bayer regulatory guidelines/SOP. • Maintain a high level of technical and clinical expertise related to Bayer product lines, with an awareness of the demands and needs of the clinical/hospital setting. • Assigns highest priority to the responsible management of telephone calls. Emphasize service and promote positive customer relations in every customer contact. Treats caller professionally, uses proper telephone etiquette and answers calls in a timely manner. Both appropriate oral and written communication is required, including the utilization of proper grammar. • Constantly upgrade technical expertise by reading journals and attending scientific seminars. • Possess good computer skills and knowledge of the business- related utilization of the Internet, as well as computer literacy, including proficiency with Word, Excel, Power Point, Siebel, and Lotus Notes (PRD Database) is mandatory. Preference given for experience with PV Works (Pharmacovigilance database). • Knowledge of common veterinary medical conditions of major animal species, current medical procedures and treatments, and internal and external parasites and their life cycles. Maintain familiarity with veterinary practice operations and current medical knowledge in order to maximize the ability to relate to situations encountered by the customer. • Lead by example through consistently demonstrating high performance with regard to quantitative and qualitative performance measures. • Demonstrate advance problem solving skills, properly handling inquiries and complaints with minimal supervision. • Demonstrate willingness and ability to perform additional duties as assigned. Research
  • 45. Passion to innovate | Power to change pertinent topics and prepare reports as requested by the Manager. WHO YOU ARE • AA degree (preferably in Biologics/Life Science) with active valid RVT (Registered Veterinarian Technician) Certification and minimum of 3 years vet clinic experience required. • Clinical Experience in Livestock or Large Animal practice is preferred. • Can substitute 1 year clinic experience with 2 years Animal Health Technical Services experience. • The incumbent must have computer and keyboard experience (MS Word, Excel, Power Point minimum) and aptitude to enter ADE’s into validated Pharmacovigilance database (PV Works). • Incumbent must be current and knowledgeable in all aspects of veterinary medicine. • Incumbent most possess excellent communication skills (both on the phone and in person), and demonstrate organizational and people skills. • The incumbent must be a team player who is a self-starter with a positive/helpful attitude. • This individual can accomplish tasks with little or no supervision. • Travel requirements: 5% of time and as required. YOUR APPLICATION Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and you have the "Passion to Innovate" and the "Power to Change", we encourage you to apply now. Job postings will remain open for a minimum of ten business days and are subject to immediate closure thereafter without additional notice. To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes. CONTACT US Address Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741 Telephone +1 877 229-3727 E-Mail hrdirectrecruitingus@bayer.com
  • 46. Employment Opportunity If you have an employment opportunity please E- Mail opportunities to: KansasVetTech@aol.com
  • 47. We need KVTA members News Do you have any news? We would love to include it in our newsletter. We want to know what is going on in the state of Kansas. New job, accomplishments, etc. Send your information to KansasVetTech@aol.com and we will include your news in future newsletters.
  • 48. Have you always wanted to write? Now is your chance. Write an article for the KVTA Newsletter and you could see your article published! Send your article to KansaVetTech@aol.com KVTA Contact Information KVTA e-mail address: KansasVetTech@aol.com KVTA web site: http://www.ksvta.org KVTA mailing address: Vicky Ograin KVTA Secretary/ Treasurer 2502 SW Berkshire Dr. Topeka, KS 66614 Find us on Facebook
  • 49. Thank you to our Sponsors Sponsors Thank you to Hill’s Pet Nutrition for your continue support of the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association and technician. Free Educational webinars see: http://www.hillsvet.com/en/us/home#education for more information.
  • 50. Membership ends October 31, 2016 KVTA Membership Benefits Accomplishments 2012-2015 • Increased membership • Booth at CVC • Executive board members attended KVMA meeting to strengthen relationship • KVMA has invited KVTA to join their 2012- 2015 conference. • Strengthened relationship with NAVTA • Strengthening relationship with KVMA • Updated website • Facebook Page • $250 KVTA student scholarship • NVTW- KVTA has been granted a proclamation proclaiming the third week in October Kansas Veterinary Technician week. • Colby Fall Conference. KVTA and Hill’s sponsored lunch • Strengthening relationship with MVTA KVTA member benefits • Newsletter • Technician tract at KVMA conference • Members meeting at K-State technician conference and Colby Fall Conference • $250 student scholarship
  • 51. KANSAS VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ASSOCATION Membership Application (Please Print) Date: New membership Renewal Name: Address: (Street) (City) (state) (zip) Home Phone E-mail Your membership must include an e-mail. Employer Veterinarian’s name Address (street) (City) (state) (zip) Work phone Your position/ title Are you are NAVTA Member? Yes No Membership type Active Associate Active members are registered technicians, associated members are members of the health care team I am: Registered, licensed, certified (circle one) in the state of State registration number What technician program did you attend? Please send application and check or money order made out to KVTA for $25.00 to: Vicky Ograin, RVT, MBA, VTS (Nutrition) 2502 SW Berkshire dr. Topeka, KS 66614 Kansasvettech@aol.com Membership applications are welcome anytime during the year, but expire October 31st.
  • 52. KANSAS VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ASSOCATION Student Membership Application (Please Print) Date: New membership Renewal Name: Address: (Street) (City) (state) (zip) Home Phone E-mail Your membership must include an e-mail. Technician College (street) (City) (state) (zip) College phone Year of School Freshman Sophomore Are you are NAVTA Member? Yes No Planned graduation date? Membership type Student Active member (see active membership form) Student membership is free for students who are currently enrolled in a veterinary technology program in the State of Kansas and are active in the Student Veterinary Technology Association. Please send application to: Vicky Ograin, RVT, MBA, VTS (Nutrition) 2502 SW Berkshire dr. Topeka, KS 66614 Kansasvettech@aol.com Membership applications are welcome anytime during the year, but expire October 31st.
  • 53. We would love to heard from you!  What is going on at your clinic or place of work?  Share your stories with the KVTA membership  Events- especially for National Vet Tech Week  Success Stories  Photos  Member profile  Continuing Education article Send submissions to KansasVetTech@aol.com We would love to feature your story in a future newsletter
  • 54. Newsletter Winter 2016 Membership ends October 31, 2016 Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) KVTA Secretary/ Treasurer 2502 SW Berkshire Dr Topeka, KS 66614 ©2015 Kansas Veterinary Technician Association