The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) presents annually the Veterinary Technician of the Year (TOY) Award to individuals who provide leadership to the profession and also contribute to the association\u2019s goals and overall advancement in the field of veterinary nursing and technology. The award recipient is determined by reviewing leadership positions held within the association, leadership positions held within the veterinary technician community at large, contributions to professional development and continuing education, community service, and other special achievements.<\/p>\n
The 2018 award recipient is Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, VTS LAM, SRA, CCRA, CVPP. Mary Ellen has made various contributions to boards such as the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians, and she has also published articles related to her fields of expertise.
\nWe interviewed Mary Ellen and asked her about her insights into the field
\nand its future.<\/p>\n
Q: What has led you to be so involved with the profession?<\/strong> Q: What do you think of the veterinary nurse\u2019s role in specialty?<\/strong> Q: What do you think of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative and the future of <\/strong>our profession?<\/strong>
\nA:<\/strong> I\u2019ve been a veterinary technician since 1976 (that\u2019s 42 years as an LVT), and I believe it has led me to feel the need to move our profession forward, especially with the specializations that have developed. My intense interest in pain management has encouraged me to develop knowledge and skills that I never thought of many years ago. When I became a veterinary technician, we literally were little more than glorified kennel help. However, with the passage of time, veterinary technicians have proven their value as a necessary member of the veterinary profession.<\/p>\n
\nA:<\/strong> Absolutely vital! Just as there are advanced certifications in human nursing such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), there is a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certification in Anesthesia and Analgesia; we have many other VTS specialties, too. It is vitally important that we continue to establish our roles in specialty fields. The Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians certifies individuals with advanced knowledge of biomechanics, gait, orthopedic, neurologic function and especially pain behaviors. A role that is analogous to physician\u2019s assistants or nurse practitioners in the veterinary field is also possible through further education. While veterinary nursing is still in its infancy, I see future development just like this occurring.<\/p>\n
\nA:<\/strong> Growing up as a child of a nursing educator and being in and around human hospitals, I have been a proponent of this title since I was in school. I have long felt and seen that the duties of veterinary nurses have evolved into many similar duties as human nurses. I do not agree with the statement, \u201cI do so much more than a human nurse ever could.\u201d Oh really?! If a human nurse worked in a practice that was privately owned and small, who do you think would be taking radiographs? Who would be assisting with surgeries? Who would be sterilizing instruments? Who would be counseling patients? That\u2019s right, it\u2019s the nurse\u2019s job.<\/p>\n