California Board of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary hospitals work nearly the same as human hospitals. Vets would be the doctors, and registered veterinary specialists act like rns.

Generally people know who the vet is within a veterinary hospital, but may customers (even animal health care professionals) may blur the lines between licensed and unlicensed staff.

It is important for customers to understand who the licensed and unlicensed staff are and also the roles they play inside a pet's care.

Here's an introduction to who's who in veterinary health care, in the California Veterinary Medical Board and also the Registered Veterinary Specialist Committee.

Licensed Staff

Vets (DVMs)
Vets alone are capable of identify medical conditions, prescribe treatments, and perform surgical procedures. Only presently licensed vets may hold a permit is the controlling licensee in a veterinary facility.

tip: Veterinary licenses and premise permits should be published for public view at veterinary facilities.

Registered Veterinary Specialists (RVTs)
RVTs are skilled animal nursing experts who have finished a Board-approved education and training course and also have passed a Condition-given certification examination. You will find certain veterinary medical tasks that the vet can delegate for an RVT, but only when the vet has examined your pet first.

tip: An RVT should be under direct supervision with a DVM whenever using an anesthetized animal.

Under direct supervision, an RVT may:

• Administer anesthesia
• Suture skin and dental tissue
• Extract teeth
• Use a splint or cast
• Produce a relief hole within the skin for positioning of the intravascular catheter

Under indirect supervision, an RVT may:

• Operate radiographic equipment
• Perform specific emergency lifesaving methods
• Administer medicines
• Apply or change bandages
• Draw bloodstream and run diagnostic tests

Like DVMs, RVTs must publish their certification within the veterinary hospital in public places view. DVMs and RVTs who provide services from a healthcare facility should carry the pocket form of their license. Customers may request to determine the license before saying yes to the remedies.

tip: Direct supervision means the DVM exists and it is rapidly available in which the animal health care task has been carried out. Indirect supervision means the DVM isn't present, but has provided instructions for that animal's care.