Approved Abbreviation List: This list contains accepted abbreviations that may be used without expansion. All other abbreviations must be expanded when first used in both your case logs and your case reports.

Step 7 Advanced Skills Requirements

• Provide documentary evidence of advanced competence in neurology through clinical experience, as demonstrated by mastery of at least 80% of the Advanced Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician skill form.  "Mastery" is defined as the ability to perform the skill with a high degree of success in different species and patients, with different disease conditions, and with minimal to no coaching or supervision.
• There are two options for who may sign your skills list verifying mastery of the Advanced Skill:

1. Option 1 – If you work 75% or more in Neurology, any DVM or a VTS member of AVTAA, AVTCP, or AVECCTN may sign off on the skills list.
2. Option 2 – If you work 55-75% in Neurology, only a VTS or Diplomate in Neurology may sign off on the skills list.

• You will also need to cross reference these skills on your case logs. You are required to reference every skill in your case logs.
• Click here to download NEUROLOGY SKILLS.

Step 8 Advanced Knowledge Requirements

• Provide documentary evidence of advanced knowledge of disease states and processes in the selected area of specialization of internal medicine through completion of the Advanced Veterinary Internal Medicine Knowledge Form.
• Click here to download Advanced Knowledge Signoff Sheet
• Click here to download Neurology Knowledge List

Step 9 Case Log Requirements

• Case Logs can only include cases from October 1st of the preceding year through September 30th of the year of application. Cases should be entered sequentially into the log beginning with the earliest date and proceeding to the last date.
• The AIMVT case log form format must be utilized. The complete Case Log must be included on the CD Rom or flash drive.
• A minimum of fifty (50) cases must be recorded. Multiple visits by the same patient count as only 1 case unless presented for an entirely new problem. They can be utilized to demonstrate advanced nursing skills but they will not count towards your total case count after the initial entry.
• Do not list skills ONLY by their number, please write out all skills and include the skill number, in parentheses, for each cross-referenced skill. Basic skills can be listed but advanced skills must also be represented for a case to qualify. Repetitive listing of skills may lead to disqualification of the case from the log unless other skills are also represented. Over submission of cases is encouraged in case of disqualification, with a maximum number of cases set at 75.
• Cases selected should reflect management of patients in the area of neurology. Cases selected should demonstrate your mastery of advanced nursing skills. Every effort to document a wide variety of advanced nursing skills should be reflected in your case selection and must cross reference to your skills list. You are encouraged to select cases that demonstrate more than one advanced skill. Emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity, although a sufficient caseload must be available to provide experience with all common types of neurologic cases. It is recognized that the veterinary technician has little control over the practice case load, yet the applicant is encouraged to demonstrate as much diversity as reasonably possible.
• Drug names (generic), dosage (mg/kg) and amount administered (in mg, not ml) should be listed when ever appropriate. For example, it is not acceptable to write “induced anesthesia”. The actual names, dosages and amounts of pre-anesthetic and anesthetic drugs should be listed.
• For examples of case logs please follow this link – EXAMPLES
• Click here to download AIMVT Case Log Form or Fill in form AIMVT Case Log Form

Step 10 Case Reports Requirements

• Four in depth case reports selected from the case log demonstrating expertise in the nursing management of a variety of neurology patients. All case reports are to be written in the style of the 3rd person and should follow the case report outline.  Cases selected for case reports are not required to be rare or unusual.  Diseases commonly seen in a neurology practice are acceptable. Case selection should be based on the ability to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge.
• To demonstrate an understanding of the case include detailed discussion of the disease process, diagnostics, treatments, goals of therapy, and your mastery of advanced nursing skills. This is critical.  Occasional citing of references is acceptable however, the body of the discussion is expected to be put into the candidates words. Spelling and grammar are to be flawless. AIMVT has provided an example of a previous case report, this example is not 100% perfect but represents superior work by previous applicants. Neurology CASE REPORT EXAMPLE
• A weighted scale will be used to score your case report, for more information please follow this link.
• If you wish to include laboratory reports with your case report, please add them as appendices to your case report.  These lab reports will not count towards your total page or character count.  You may submit laboratory reports in whatever format you prefer; you may download our lab form here.
• Click here to download AIMVT Case Report Outline