The level of care offered in veterinary medicine continues to advance. Veterinary technicians are the nurses of the veterinary medicine world. The Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT) credentialed its charter members on June 3 while in attendance at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in San Antonio, Texas.

Columbia residents Jane Ebben RVT, VTS (LAIM); and H. Edward Durham Jr. CVT, LATG, VTS (Cardiology), were credentialed as veterinary technician specialists during the forum. Ebben and Durham are employed at veterinary technicians at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

The academy was formed in 2003 and obtained its recognition from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America in 2006. AIMVT comprises veterinary technician specialists working in four subspecialties: cardiology – diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart; large animal internal medicine – diagnosis, treatment and internal medicine of ruminants and equines; oncology – diagnosis and treatment of cancer; and small animal internal medicine – diagnosis, treatment and internal medicine of companion animals.

Veterinary technician specialists are graduates of a program in veterinary technology and/or credentialed to practice in their state. VTS receive advanced training, often under a veterinary diplomate of internal medicine, cardiology or oncology. They possess advanced knowledge of wellness and preventative medicine, a detailed knowledge of complex, acute and chronic disease states, and a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, pathology and pathophysiology of animals. In addition, they have the ability to perform advanced technical skills associated with their specialty. These skills can include assisting with the implantation of cardiac pacemakers, recording echocardiogram images, placing a multi lumen intravenous catheter to monitor a critical horse patient, obtaining a radiograph of a hoof, administering chemotherapy to a dog with cancer, counseling an owner on side effects of radiation therapy, performing blood gas analysis of a cat under anesthesia for diagnostic testing, or evaluating a slide of a dog’s bone marrow for sampling technique.

The credentialing process is arduous and contains many requirements, including the completion of advanced skills and knowledge lists, continuing education, work experience, case logs, case reports, letters of recommendation, examination in internal medicine and examination in the specialty.

Veterinary technology specialization is a growing field. Currently, veterinary technicians can specialize in the areas of emergency and critical care, anesthesia, dentistry and internal medicine. AIMVT is unique in that it is the first umbrella academy to offer the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas of internal medicine.

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