Download avot skill set list - Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians

AVOT SKILL SET LIST
AVOT CANDIDATE
All qualified candidates will have demonstrated basic veterinary technician skills such as but not
limited to:
1. Proper animal restraint
2. Peripheral catheter placement
3. Venipuncture
4. Administration of oral, intravenous, and ophthalmic medications
5. Calculation of IV fluid drip rates
6. Calculation of basic drug administration
7. Knowledge of various routes of drug administration
8. Aseptic surgical area preparation
9. Surgical supply sterilization preparation
10. Recording of vital signs (TPR and pain assessment)
11. Performance of basic laboratory tests (PCV, TP, and UA)
12. Maintenance of proper medical records and knowledge of computer skills
13. Surgical scrubbing, gowning, and gloving
14. Knowledge and ability to identify ophthalmic examination equipment
15. Ability to clean and maintain ophthalmic surgical and examination equipment. Including
but not limited to the following: phacoemulsification unit, slip lamp, diode laser, indirect
ophthalmoscope, electroretinogram unit, ultrasound unit and tonopen/tonovet.
These skills do not need to be verified individually and are only examples of base skills expected
of all candidates.
AVOT candidates must demonstrate mastery of 80% of the following skills for the application
packet. Also please cross reference as many skills as possible to your case logs by noting the
case log number.
Mastery is defined as “consistently being able to perform with great skill and/or knowledge
without being coached or directed.”
Each skill should be verified and signed by the DACVO or VTS who is the most qualified to verify
the skill; in order of preference: Diplomate or VTS (Ophtho), Diplomate or VTS in Anesthesia or
Emergency & Critical Care.
Skill
General Nursing
Obtain an accurate and complete ophthalmic history
Ability to discuss with owners in depth about cataract surgery, outcomes, and
complications
Ability to explain medications to an owner (directions, demonstrate how to
administer,explain possible adverse reactions)
Set up and perform diagnostic non-invasive blood pressure measurement in an
awake canine and feline patient. Record values.
Anesthesia/Analgesia
Recognize normal and abnormal ECG tracings. Log observed arrhythmia.
Develop anesthetic and peri-anesthetic protocols for veterinarian review and
implementation to provide effective pain management and maximum
anesthetic safety and effectiveness. Log the justification for your choices
including possible ocular side effects.
Mastery of endotracheal intubation and tube placement noting selection
process in regard to length and size, and safe technique for sealing cuff.
Set up a capnograph end tidal CO2 monitor, evaluate ventilation status, and
troubleshoot equipment malfunction. Log any abnormalities and appropriate
interventions.
Implement techniques to prevent hypothermia/hyperthermia and resolve
these issues by safely and effectively using devices such a warm air blankets,
circulating water blankets, and IV fluid warmers.
Monitor and evaluate patient status and anesthetic depth using established
parameters such as outward involuntary physical responses (i.e. jaw tone,
palpebral reflex, eye position), blood pressure, ECG, pulse oximetry, heart rate,
and ventilation status.
Ability to assess appropriate extubation time with regard to brachycephalic,
regurgitation/aspiration, and emergence from anesthesia. Log any
complications and appropriate interventions.
Demonstrate full working knowledge of the use of neuromuscular blockades
Demonstrate full working knowledge and use of a nerve stimulator
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of methods to avoid airway compromise
during positioning for ocular procedures.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the potential ocular effects of preanesthetic, induction, and maintenance drugs
Demonstrate full working knowledge and use of a mechanical ventilator
Laboratory
Properly collect and/or handle and submit cytology samples for laboratory
evaluation including conjunctival, corneal, and cutaneous samples
Properly collect and/or handle and submit samples for bacterial and/or fungal
culturing including conjunctival and corneal samples
Demonstrate proper tissue handling of samples to be submitted for
histopathology (i.e. correct formalin ration to sample size)
Streak Agar Plate to obtain a pure culture
Prepare a Gram-stained slide
Read a cytology
slide technique for inking or labeling the tissue margins of
Demonstrate
proper
histopathology samples
Select appropriate stains and media for possible pathogens
Date observed
Signature of DVM/VTS
Surgery
Demonstrate maintenance of asepsis in the OR with appropriate use of surface
disinfectants and contact times
Demonstrate maintenance of asepsis in the OR with appropriate use of various
types of antiseptics and contact times
Demonstrate asepsis in the OR with appropriate OR conduct while acting as a
circulating nurse
Demonstrate asepsis outside of the OR for a variety of procedures
Demonstrate proper OR technique in the event of contamination
Properly set-up an OR and possess anticipatory skills regarding needed
equipment and instrumentation for an adnexal procedure
Properly set-up an OR and possess anticipatory skills regarding needed
equipment and instrumentation for an extra ocular procedure
Properly set-up an OR and possess anticipatory skills regarding needed
equipment and instrumentation for an intraocular procedure
Possess anticipatory skills and demonstrate appropriate handling and passing of
instrumentation while assisting the surgeon during an adnexal, extra ocular, or
intraocular procedure
Maintain, set-up, troubleshoot, and understand indications for electro cautery
units
Maintain, set-up, troubleshoot, and understand indications for portable or
central suction units
Identify, maintain, and explain indications for specific adnexal, extra ocular, or
intraocular surgery instrumentation
Perform an appropriate surgical clip and aseptic prep application for an adnexal
surgery
Perform an appropriate surgical clip and aseptic prep application for an extra
ocular surgery
Perform an appropriate surgical clip and aseptic prep application for an
intraocular surgery
Properly position patient for an adnexal surgery
Properly position patient for an extra ocular surgery
Properly position patient for an intraocular surgery
Explain appropriate use of various suture materials
Be able to set up, prime for surgery, clean, and maintain a phacoemulsification
system
Demonstrate mastery of operating and maintaining an operating microscope
Demonstrate a working knowledge of a diode laser (set-up, operating,
maintenance, and safety)
Demonstrate a working knowledge of a CO2 laser (set-up, operating,
maintenance, and safety)
Surgical Instrument Care and Sterilization Methods
Know products and application recommendations for enzymatic cleaning of
surgical instruments
Know application, maintenance, and troubleshooting of ultrasonic cleaners
Know appropriate application of products used for the lubrication of surgical
instruments
Basic Ophthalmic Exam Skills
Test a patients PLR
Correctly perform and interpret a STT
Correctly perform and interpret a fluorescein stain
Correctly perform and interpret tonometry
applanation
indentation
rebound
Perform a basic ocular exam (and know basic normals) on 3 species
1)
2)
3)
Advanced Ophthalmic Exam Skills
Flush Nasolacrimal ducts
Set up and Perform an ERG - identify a normal and an abnormal response
Set up and preform an ocular ultrasound - identifying the lens, vitreal body,
muscle cone, an intact retina, a retinal detachment, and an artifact
Set up and assist in Gonioscopy
Set up and assist with laser procedures. Explain proper safety precautions.
Know which type of lasers are used to treat different ophthalmic conditions
Demonstrate use and maintenance of a slit lamp
Demonstrate use and maintenance of a direct ophthalmoscope
Demonstrate use and maintenance of an indirect ophthalmoscope
Demonstrate how to perform a palpebral nerve block. Know if it is a motor or
sensation block. Explain what medication(s) will be used and why.
Sep up and assist in placement (or place yourself) of a subpalpebral lavage
system. Know the adnexal anatomy, what structures to avoid, possible
complications, trouble shooting, and maintenance of the SPL
Please print the names of all persons who have signed this form attesting to
your mastery of the listed skills.
Name________________________________________________________________Degree__________
Name________________________________________________________________Degree__________
Name________________________________________________________________Degree__________