Cardiology
Cardiology is defined as the specialty branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the study of the structure, function and disorders of the heart and circulatory system in health and disease. All specialties of AIMVT are further defined to include the 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.
The following is a standard listing of a Cardiology Technician Specialist skills list and job description:
Cardiology is defined as the specialty branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the study of the structure, function and disorders of the heart and circulatory system in health and disease. All specialties of AIMVT are further defined to include the 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.
The following is a standard listing of a Cardiology Technician Specialist skills list and job description:
- Knowledge of standard M-mode and 2D echo views
- Understanding of the principles of M-mode, 2D, pulsed wave, continuous wave and color flow Doppler
- Ability to identify many common and acquired cardiac disorders including DCM, HCM, pericardial effusions, CVD, PDA, VSD, ASD, PS, SAS, Tetralogy of Fallot from echocardiography
- Ability to obtain standard M-mode and 2D echo views
- Ability to obtain a 10-lead ECG
- Ability to recognize common arrhythmias including APC, SVT, VPC, V-tach, V-fib, sinus arrhythmia, wandering pacemaker, sinus arrest, and various forms of AV block
- Ability to note specific chamber enlargement on thoracic radiographs, ID vascular structures
- Ability to obtain high quality thoracic radiographs
- Ability to identify catheters commonly used for interventional techniques and cardiac catheterization
- Ability to set up and calibrate transducers / physiograph to measure intracardiac and intravascular pressures
- Ability to understand the basic physiology and engineering of pacemakers, including pacing modes and lead systems
- Ability to identify various structures on angiography, some knowledge of contrast agents
- Ability to grade cardiac murmurs, identify PMI (point of maximal intensity) and correlate with possible clinical diagnoses
- Knowledge of commonly used CV drugs, side effects, main indications
- Understanding of pathogenesis of heart failure
- Ability to accurately measure Doppler blood pressure
- Technical expertise necessary in the collection and submission of laboratory samples
- Teaching ability to provide daily instruction of veterinary students, interns and residents who rotate through the Cardiology service
- Organization skills necessary to oversee the Cardiology work load as well as clinical research projects
- Medication and nursing skills for the daily management of in-hospital patients
- Computer knowledge for the maintenance of the Cardiology data base and generation of patient medical records
Are you a technician working in Cardiology?
AIMVT needs your input!
AIMVT is performing a revalidation survey to update the test blueprint for veterinary technicians working in cardiology. Please help us by completing this survey.
To access the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Cardio1819
We want to hear what duties, knowledge and responsibilities you are currently performing. The job analysis includes revalidation of the skills, knowledge and tasks of the cardiology technician. The survey should take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Feel free to forward this onto ANY technician working in cardiology. We want to know what the VTS (Cardiology) members AND the yet to be VTS-es are doing.
Time is short, the survey ends October 21st, so please don’t delay. Thank you for your time.
AIMVT is performing a revalidation survey to update the test blueprint for veterinary technicians working in cardiology. Please help us by completing this survey.
To access the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Cardio1819
We want to hear what duties, knowledge and responsibilities you are currently performing. The job analysis includes revalidation of the skills, knowledge and tasks of the cardiology technician. The survey should take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Feel free to forward this onto ANY technician working in cardiology. We want to know what the VTS (Cardiology) members AND the yet to be VTS-es are doing.
Time is short, the survey ends October 21st, so please don’t delay. Thank you for your time.