CVTEA Semi-Annual Report

This bulletin serves to report on the accreditation actions and other activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

In this Issue

Accreditation Decisions

Other Accreditation Actions

Summary of changes to the CVTEA Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual

Changes for Your Self-Study Report

Joint Meeting

Call for Nominations - CVTEA Position Open

Who's New on CVTEA

CVTEA Roster and Terms

American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N Meacham Rd.,
Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Accreditation Decisions

At its November 9-12, 2007 meeting, the CVTEA made the following accreditation decisions:

Reaccredited at Full accreditation

• Baker College of Flint; Flint, MI
• Baker College of Muskegon; Muskegon, MI
• Columbia State Community College; Columbia, TN
• North Dakota State University; Fargo, ND
• Parkland College; Champaign, IL
• University College of Bangor; Bangor, ME
• Yakima Valley Community College; Yakima, WA

In addition, the Committee transferred full accreditation status of the Stautzenberger College Toledo campus to the new Maumee campus.

New Programs at Provisional Accreditation

• Fox College; Tinley Park, IL effective October 22, 2007
• Moraine Park Technical College Distance Learning; Fond du Lac, WI effective September 7, 2007
• Pima Medical Institute; Seattle, WA effective October 2, 2007
• Sanford Brown College; Fenton, MO effective October 11, 2007
• Sanford Brown College; St. Peters, MO effective August 31, 2007

Reaccredited at Probational Status

• Mount San Antonio College; Walnut, CA
• The Vet Tech Institute; Pittsburgh, PA

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Other Accreditation Actions

Following review of 28 annual, 15 biennial, and 21 interim reports, CVTEA accreditation assignments are as follows: (This list includes only those program reviewed at the November 9-12, 2007 CVTEA meeting.)

Elevated to Full Accreditation

• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; Asheville, NC

Continued Full Accreditation

• Argosy University Twin Cities; Eagan, MN
• Becker College; Leicester, MA
• Blue Ridge Community College-Campus and Distance Learning; Weyers Cave, VA
• Cedar Valley College Campus; Lancaster, TX
• Central New Mexico Community College; Albuquerque, NM
• Colby Community College; Colby, KS
• Colorado Mountain College; Glenwood Springs, CO
• Denver, Community College of; Denver, CO
• Eastern Wyoming College; Torrington, WY
• Harcum College; Bryn Mawr, PA
• Hinds Community College; Raymond, MS
• Los Angeles Pierce College; Woodland Hills, CA
• Michigan State University; East Lansing, MI
• New Hampshire Community Technical College; Stratham, NH
• North Shore Community College; Danvers, MA
• Northeast Community College; Norfolk, NE
• Northwestern Connecticut Community College; Winsted, CT
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana; Natchitoches, LA
• Oklahoma State University; Oklahoma City, OK
• Palo Alto College; San Antonio, TX
• Quinnipiac University; Hamden, CT
• Ridgewater College; Willmar, MN
• State University of New York; Delhi, NY
• Tri-County Technical College; Pendleton, SC
• Truckee Meadows Community College; Reno, NV

Returned to Full Accreditation

• Cedar Valley College Distance Learning; Lancaster, TX
• Essex Campus of the Community College of Baltimore County; Baltimore, MD
• Fort Valley State University; Fort Valley, GA
• Hartnell College; Salinas, CA

Continued Provisional Accreditation

• Baker College of Cadillac; Cadillac, MI
• Baker College of Port Huron; Port Huron, MI
• Bradford School, The Vet Tech Institute at; Columbus, OH
• Crowder College; Neosho, MO
• Delgado Community College; New Orleans, LA
• Duluth Business University; Duluth, MN
• Globe University; Oakdale, MN
• International Business College, The Vet Tech Institute at; Fort Wayne, IN
• Iowa Western Community College; Council Bluffs, IA
• Jefferson State Community College; Birmingham, AL
• Kaplan College; Phoenix, AZ (formerly Long Technical College)
• Minnesota School of Business; St. Cloud, MN
• Minnesota School of Business-Blaine; Blaine, MN
• Minnesota School of Business-Shakopee; Shakopee, MN
• Ogeechee Technical College; Statesboro, GA
• San Juan College Distance Learning; Farmington, NM
• Stautzenberger College; Strongsville, OH
• SUNY-Ulster County Community College; Stone Ridge, NY
• Utah Career College; West Jordan, UT
• Western Career College; Citrus Heights, CA
• Western Career College; Sacramento, CA
• Western Career College; San Jose, CA
• Western School of Health and Business Careers; Pittsburgh, PA

Continued Probational Accreditation

• Des Moines Area Community College; Ankeny, IA
• Johnson College; Scranton, PA
• Northern New Jersey Consortium; Paramus, NJ
• Penn Foster College Distance Learning Program; Scottsdale, AZ
• Sul Ross State University; Alpine, TX
• Western Career College-San Leandro; San Leandro, CA

New Probational Accreditation

• Pierpont Community and Technical College; Fairmont, WV
• Western Career College; Stockton, CA

Continued Terminal Accreditation

• Newberry College; Newberry, SC until December 31, 2008

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Accreditation Statistics

There are 144 AVMA/CVTEA-accredited programs in veterinary technology including 9 distance learning programs. Sixteen programs offer baccalaureate degrees (eight offer bachelor degrees only and eight offer both associate and bachelor degrees). There are 99 programs assigned full accreditation, 34 assigned provisional accreditation, 10 assigned probational accreditation, and 1 on terminal accreditation.

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Summary of Changes to the P&P

NEW ITEMS NOW IDENTIFIED AS REQUIRED TASKS:

1. Collect milk samples and conduct mastitis testing (e.g., CMT, bacterial culture)*
2. Apply bovine halter*

ITEMS REMOVED FROM LIST:

1. "Cattle" was removed from the "halter, tie, and lead" task
2. Apply nose tongs/leads
3. Unopette and automated cell counter equipment
4. PCV or electronic cell counter equipment

TASKS IDENTIFIED AS ACCEPATABLE TO COMPLETE AS GROUP ACTIVITY:

1. Use restraint pole and other restraint aids*
2. Halter, tie, and lead horses*
3. Apply twitch (horses)*
4. Catheterize male* and female dogs
5. Catheterize male cat*
6. Perform cystocentesis (small animal)*
7. Gastric intubation (small animal)*
8. Administer enemas*
9. Implement quality control measures* (laboratory procedures)
10. Coagulation tests - perform one of the following*: buccal mucosal bleeding time; activated clotting time (ACT); prothrombin time (PT); partial thromboplastin time (PTT); fibrinogen assay
11. Identify common animal pathogens using commercially available media and reagents*
12. Collect milk samples and conduct mastitis testing (e.g., CMT, bacterial culture)*
13. Perform common biochemical tests*
14. Collect, prepare, and evaluate canine vaginal smears*
15. Perform a postmortem examination or dissection on non-preserved animal*
16. Collect samples, store and ship according to laboratory protocols*
17. Develop and properly utilize radiographic technique charts*
18. Activated clotting time
19. Perform radiographic techniques utilized in screening for canine hip dysplasia*
20. Utilize radiographic equipment to expose x-ray film (dental, stationary* and portable units*)
21. Collect blood samples*
22. Perform oral dosing*

The P&P is also available online by clicking here.

*Indicates required task

CHANGES FOR YOUR SELF-STUDY REPORT

The Committee approved requesting the following materials to the self-study report:

1. Submission of examples of standardized criteria used for evaluating skills.
2. Information about program disaster plans.
3. Submission of copies of VTNE summary score reports as received from the Professional Examination Service (PES).
4. Photographic/videographic depiction of program facilities.
5. Information about individual teaching loads/credit hours, including weekly contact hours, instead of course responsibilities.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION AND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

The Committee approved a recommendation to the AVMA Executive Board to amend Standard III - Organization and Communications:

• Changing the requirement to notify CVTEA of major changes within the program from 30 to 60 days.
• Verbiage changes for brevity and clarification.

The AVMA Executive Board must approve changes to the standards of accreditation. These changes will be presented to the AVMA Executive Board at its April 2008 meeting for consideration.

The Committee added a statement encouraging implementation of a disaster plan to Appendix A - Statement on Safety.

The Committee amended the definition of the term "should" as follows:

• Should: Indicates the recommended and highly desirable manner in which to attain the Standard. Compliance is expected unless there are extraordinary and justifiable circumstances that preclude full compliance.

The intent of the change is to clarify the responsibility of the Program to demonstrate the circumstances that make it difficult or inappropriate to meet the course of action suggested.

In 2008, Standards IV -Physical Facilities and Equipment; V - Resources for Clinical Instruction; and VI - Library and Informational Resources will be reviewed. Accredited programs will be provided an opportunity to provide feedback through an online survey in the spring.

JOINT MEETING

An annual joint meeting between the CVTEA and representatives from the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE), the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (CAAHTT), and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) was held Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9:00 am until noon.

Topics and discussion highlights from each entity are summarized. Many topics remain ongoing items for discussion.

AAVSB

• The Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) was administered to 1498 candidates in January 2007 and 3207 candidates in June 2007.
• The AAVSB Job Analysis project was completed, resulting in the altering or removal of 2400 items.
• Beginning with the June 2008 VTNE, the application fee will be raised to $130.00 which includes an additional amount to fund ongoing development of the test.

AVTE

• Discussion ensued regarding the ever-growing CVTEA Essential Skills list and how to fit the material into current curricular constraints.
• The potential impact on the profession of the increasing number of new veterinary technology programs was discussed.
• The content of the CVTEA Essential Skills List in comparison to questions on the VTNE was discussed.
• The future of the veterinary technology profession including utilization, nomenclature, and the rise of veterinary assistant programs was discussed.

CAAHTT

• Polling of the seven Canadian associations indicated that transfer of Canadian veterinary technicians to the U.S. and vice-versa following mutual recognition of accreditation processes was minimal, but smooth.
• Responses from state licensing boards regarding recognition of Canadian technicians have been favorable.

NAVTA

• Celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2006.
• A summary of membership benefits was presented including the NAVTA Journal, and continuing education opportunities.
• Membership in the association is approximately 4400.
• The NAVTA demographic survey, conducted every four years, was recently completed, with results expected to be published in early 2008.
• Two utilization studies have been conducted in the last six years, with a third being considered in 2008.

CVTEA

• The CVTEA has received approval by the AVMA Executive Board to conduct a strategic planning meeting in conjunction with the spring 2008 CVTEA meeting to review the Committee's charge.
• Several changes were made to the Essential Skills List. A significant change is that the Committee has identified certain skills that may be completed as group activities.

Attendees agreed that the meeting was productive, positive, and an excellent opportunity to work together in advancing the profession. The next joint meeting will be held November 22, 2008 at AVMA headquarters.

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Q&A about AVMA CVTEA Accreditation

Q: Explain outcomes assessment used by CVTEA for accreditation purposes.

A: Outcomes assessments must provide reliable evidence of program effectiveness that directs strategies for improvement. It involves the collection and use of aggregated data about student achievement to examine the degree to which program learning goals are attained.

Evidence of program student learning outcomes must embrace both direct (quantitative) and indirect (qualitative) information:

Examples of Direct (Quantitative):

1. Standardized tests (VTNE)
2. Program tests of student cognitive knowledge
3. Skills acquisition evaluated using standardized criteria in clinical observations

Examples of Indirect (Qualitative):

1. Surveys of students, graduates, and employers
2. Retention studies
3. Exit interviews
4. Placement/employment trends
5. Advisory committee feedback

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CVTEA POSITION OPEN

Nominations are sought for individuals to represent "Veterinary Technicians" and "Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal" on CVTEA. The terms are from July 2008 through July 2014.

Candidates should have the following qualifications:

1. A concerned interest in veterinary technician education.
2. The availability of approximately 12-16 working days per year to devote to CVTEA activities.
3. Skills in written and oral communication including evaluating, interviewing, negotiating, and investigating.
4. Minimal technical skills to include word processing for editing reports. Email capability is strongly encouraged.
5. A lack of personal agendas.

Members of the CVTEA are responsible for chairing evaluative site visit teams, for presenting those programs to the CVTEA at meetings at which accreditation decisions are made, for following progress of assigned programs, and for being actively involved in CVTEA discussions regarding accreditation decisions of other programs.

If interested call or email Ms. Julie Horvath at 800/248-2862 ext. 6624; jhorvath@avma.org for nomination forms.

The deadline for nominations is March 7, 2008.

Who's New on CVTEA

The AVMA CVTEA welcomes Dr. Mel Chambliss representing "Education of Veterinary Technicians" on the CVTEA.

Mel Chambliss, DVM
Dr. Chambliss received his DVM from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. He has served as the Program Director of the Alfred State College Veterinary Technology program since 1999. Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor at the Michigan State University veterinary technology program. Dr. Chambliss is filling an unexpired term vacated by Dr. Guy Hancock for 2004-2010. He is eligible to serve another term in 2010.

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CVTEA Roster and Terms

• Dr. Jacob Casper, representing regulatory veterinary medicine (2007-2013)
• Dr. Mel Chambliss, representing veterinary technician educators (unexpired term 2007-2010)
• Mr. Josh Clark, RVT, representing veterinary technicians (2005-2011)
• Ms. Debbie Danforth, LVT, representing veterinary technicians-non-program affiliated (2006-1012)
• Ms. Vicki Earnest, representing the public (2002-2008)
• Dr. Edward Gordon, representing veterinary state boards (2003-2009)
• Dr. Anne Hale, representing At-Large (2006-2012)
• Dr. Sharon Hurley, Vice-Chair, representing private small animal practice (2002-2008)
• Dr. Glen Jackson, representing Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (2007-2008)
• Ms. Julie Legred, CVT, representing veterinary technicians-non-program affiliated (2005-2011)
• Dr. Helene Pazak, representing faculties of colleges of veterinary medicine (2005-2011)
• Ms. C. Lynn Reece, RVT, representing veterinary technicians-non-program affiliated (2006-2012)
• Ms. Debbie Reed, RVT, Chair, representing veterinary technicians (2002-2008)
• Dr. Tony Rumschlag, representing industrial veterinary medicine (2004-2010)
• Ms. Susann Schneider, Esq., representing the public (2004-2010)
• Ms. Rachel Valentine, RVT, representing veterinary technicians (2005-2011)
• Dr. Sarah Wagner, representing clinical veterinary medicine, large animal (2007-2013)
• Dr. Frank Walker, representing the AVMA Council on Education (2006-2010)
• Dr. Craig Wardrip, representing laboratory animal medicine (2006-2012)

FUTURE CVTEA MEETINGS

• April 4 - 6, 2008
• November 20 - 23, 2008

The CVTEA meets biannually at the AVMA Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• AVMA Annual Convention: July 14 - 18, 2008 Washington, DC
• National Veterinary Technician Week : October 12 - 18, 2008
• Association of Veterinary Technician Educators Biennial Symposium : July 29 - August 2, 2009 Omaha, NE

AVMA CVTEA Staff
Dr. Gary Leff, Assistant Director, Education & Research Division
gleff@avma.org
Ms. Julie Horvath, CVTEA Coordinator, Education & Research Division
jhorvath@avma.org

American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N Meacham rd., ste. 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
800-248-2862
www.avma.org