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The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America has announced a new specialty, the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians.

It is the eighth specialty recognized by the association.

The Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties is a subcommittee of NAVTA that provides guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to facilitate the formation of specialty organizations. The CVTS announced its recognition of the academy Jan. 28.

The AVST will create a standardized route through which technicians may qualify for a national examination to become a "veterinary technician specialist," or VTS, in surgery.

The impetus for the new specialty came about from a 2009 survey of veterinary professionals who indicated the need for technicians with advanced knowledge in many areas related to surgery.

"Veterinary technicians must not only understand sophisticated soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures but also must possess advanced knowledge in areas such as anatomy and physiology, equipment/instrument care and maintenance, principles of asepsis, wound management, and diagnostic imaging techniques," said Heidi Reuss-Lamky, president of the AVST, in the Jan. 28 announcement.

Veterinary technicians interested in learning the criteria involved in pursuing VTS certification in surgery should contact Reuss-Lamky at frzbdogmom@aol.com or Teri Raffel at raffelteri@gmail.com.

For more information about NAVTA and the veterinary technician specialties, visit its Web site at www.navta.net.

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