Policies and Procedures

Veterinary technology is the science and art of providing technical support to veterinarians. The CVMA accredits programs that graduate animal health and veterinary technicians or technologists.   For the purposes of these policies and procedures, the terms “animal health” and “veterinary” are considered synonymous, as well as "technician" and "technologist".

An animal health technologist/veterinary technician is a graduate of a two- or three-year CVMA- or AVMA-accredited program in veterinary technology.

Veterinary assistant: The adjectives animal, veterinary, ward, or hospital combined with the nouns attendant, caretaker, or assistant are titles sometimes used for individuals where training, knowledge, and skills are less than those required for designation as a veterinary technician or technologist.

The CVMA will encourage schools, organizations, and regulatory authorities to use the standard terminology described above, but will not attempt to interfere, except through educational efforts, with the actual terminology used.

The veterinary technician’s role is to provide professional animal health care in conjunction with the veterinarian.

The duties of veterinary technicians must be performed under the direction, supervision, and responsibility of veterinarians. These duties must be accomplished in compliance with federal, provincial, and local laws. These duties must not include diagnosis of disease, prescribing medication, or performing surgery except where explicitly permitted by regulation.

The veterinary technician must be knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, their normal and abnormal life processes, medical and surgical nursing, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, and clinical laboratory procedures.

The CVMA offers consultation on education of veterinary technicians, their utilization, regulation, and other related matters.

The CVMA recognizes the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) as the national organization representing veterinary technicians and the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE) as the national organization representing veterinary technician educators. The CVMA welcomes and encourages the participation and support of veterinary technicians in public relations efforts to promote the use of veterinary services including the appropriate utilization of veterinary technicians.

Individuals contemplating a career in veterinary technology should attend a CVMA or AVMA accredited program at an institution of higher learning where instruction is conducted in laboratory or clinical settings with the humane use of live animals.

The CVMA - Animal Health Technologist/Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation Committee (AHTVTPAC) is charged with the responsibility to assess programs in veterinary technology, on behalf of the CVMA. To become accredited, programs must meet the Standards of Accreditation approved by the CVMA. The standards are designed to ensure that the educational experience offered by the program will produce a graduate with the appropriate knowledge and skill to be a competent veterinary clinical technician.

The AHTVTPAC encourages the development of additional educational and career advancement opportunities for veterinary technicians.

Accreditation of post-secondary educational programs in veterinary technology is based on the provisions outlined in the document “CVMA – Technician Training Program Accreditation Standards” approved by CVMA Council.  An institution with a distance learning program associated with a traditional program may request that the distance learning program be accredited separately.

Examination and regulation of veterinary technicians are the responsibilities of provincial associations or colleges. Provincial veterinary practice legislation limits the veterinary activities that can be performed by non-veterinarians. The legislation may permit veterinary technicians to perform all activities for which they are trained, but does not allow them to diagnose, prescribe, or perform surgery.

The CVMA does not accredit veterinary assistant programs. Accredited veterinary technology programs, that also offer veterinary assistant programs, have an obligation to explain program differences to potential students and the community. Any information publicizing the institution’s programs should indicate which programs are accredited by the CVMA.

Because establishment of a veterinary assistant program may dilute the instructional resources available for the accredited veterinary technology program, the AHTVTPAC reserves the right to request information about such a program and its relationship with the accredited program.

The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) recommends that veterinary technician/technologist credentialing (i.e., licensing, registration, or certification) entities in the US recognize graduates of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)-accredited veterinary technology/technician programs as eligible for credentialing. In turn, the CVMA recommends that Canadian provincial licensing bodies recognize graduates of AVMA-accredited veterinary technology/technician programs as being eligible for licensure. As always, eligibility for licensure/registration/certification of veterinary technicians/technologists is the purview of each U.S. state/territory and Canadian provincial/territory credentialing agency. (Original date: June 2006; updated July 2024)

The intent of the CVMA is to identify the minimum standards for education and training qualified personnel who can become part of the veterinary health care team.  CVMA approval serves to inform the public that a program offers an acceptable standard of education and training for animal health technologists and veterinary technicians.  The graduates’ benefit by having their competence recognized and prospects for employment mobility enhanced.

In order to fulfill these functions, the CVMA encourages training programs to meet the standards defined for the curricula and the requirements for equipment and instructional resources.

The objective of the accreditation process is to identify and certify animal health technology and veterinary technology education programs whose graduates are considered to be competent to assist veterinarians in clinical practice and to encourage further development of such programs in Canada.

 

Under the guidance of, and having responsibility to, the council of the CVMA, the committee shall: 

• recommend the accreditation standards for animal health/veterinary technology training programs for CVMA Council approval.

• regularly review and propose amendments to the standards to keep the process current with technological changes in veterinary clinical practice.

• conduct accreditation site visits to CVMA accredited programs every 5 years. When a program has been fully accredited for two consecutive cycles, the program may apply for a two-year extension.

• review annual reports from each CVMA accredited program.

• respond to requests from animal health and veterinary technology training programs for CVMA accreditation.

• provide a consultation service, on behalf of the CVMA, concerning the status of programs in Canada, the procedure to follow in establishing new programs to meet accreditation standards and respond to queries regarding technician training.

The CVMA shall appoint a committee of at least eight members, including:  

• a CVMA member who is or was a practitioner with experience in employment of technicians/technologists.

• a CVMA member who is or was an educator in an AHT/VT program.

• a CVMA member who is or was an educator or a practitioner.

• a member of the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association, to be named by the CVTEA.

• three veterinary technicians/technologists from CVMA or AVMA accredited programs, currently credentialed in their province, from nominations submitted by the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC). One of the three veterinary technicians/technologists must have been or is an educator in an AHT/VT program.

• the CVMA may, from time to time, appoint a public member.

• A CVMA Council member(s) to serve as liaison with the Council.

The Committee Chair could be a DVM or a RVT, who must be appointed by the CVMA President.

The Committee shall be subject to the “Role and Terms of CVMA Committees.

• acknowledge receipt of all correspondence, reports and concerns submitted by the committee.

• communicate Council decisions affecting the functioning of the committee, in a timely manner.

• maintain a current list of accredited programs for public information and regularly communicate the status of each program to the veterinary technician and veterinary medical associations, the CVTEA and the coordinators of accredited programs.

Similar to other CVMA committees, members are appointed annually for a one-year term but will be expected to serve for three years with a maximum of two consecutive terms.

The committee must meet at least once a year; this may be in conjunction with a site visit or concurrent with the annual CVMA committee meetings.

The committee shall submit an annual report to the CVMA as well as reporting immediately after each site visit.

The CVMA shall collect annual fees from all accredited programs.  New programs will be assessed an initiation fee, the amount to be set by Council, and submitted prior to the first site visit. If accreditation is granted, annual fees will be levied thereafter.  Should additional site visits be necessary prior to achieving full or provisional accreditation, full cost recovery will be assessed for such visits.  In the event that accreditation lapses, is lost through deficiencies or by default of payment of fees, reaccreditation will require a site visit for which full cost recovery will be assessed.

The annual fees will be reviewed periodically and adjusted to maintain full cost-recovery for the operation of the accreditation program.

The members of the committee and site visit teams will regularly submit approved expenses (travel, accommodation, meals, honoraria, telephone, postage etc.) to the CVMA for reimbursement from the funds generated by the annual fees.  

The committee members and site visitors shall be bound by the CVMA “Code of Conduct” which defines the standards of conduct as they pertain to loyalty, commitment, legality, integrity, confidentiality interpersonal relationships and conflicts of interest.

All information related to the accreditation of a veterinary technology program is strictly confidential.  This includes, but is not limited to, evaluation reports, letters, self-evaluation and accreditation materials, interim and annual reports, correspondence, and the content of any discussion related to the program and/or its accreditation.  All requests for information related to a specific institution and/or program must be referred to the CVMA staff or to the respective institution.

Freedom of Information Acts which may be applicable in a given province do not apply to CVMA confidential information related to the accreditation of veterinary technology programs. Information requested through such acts may be obtained through due processes from the respective institution.

To foster confidence in the accreditation process, the technology program, the CVMA and the AHTVT Program Accreditation Committee must be assured that functions assigned to each entity are clearly understood.

• the program must present accurate information to the AHTVTPAC for accreditation evaluation and must allow access to all parts of the operation during the site visit.

• the program must refrain from misleading advertisement of the program and must correct any inaccuracy in a timely manner.

• the program must make every effort to protect students.  The protection must include, but is not limited to, unbiased grading procedures and access to educational opportunity, scholarships, and student services.

• if a program releases information regarding its accreditation status, the information must be correct.  Should misinformation be released, the college must correct the information in a timely manner.

• during the evaluation process, the AHTVTPAC must evaluate the program only on the standards that have been approved by the CVMA Council;

• the application of the standards to all programs must be unbiased.

• the site visit and deliberation toward the assignment of accreditation status must be conducted with the highest ethical standards.

• all material, discussion, and the decision of the AHTVTPAC regarding accreditation must be confidential. Copies of reports and supporting documents must be shredded after the site visit report has been approved by the CVMA Council.

• the AHTVTPAC must recognize institutional and program diversity when making accreditation decisions.

• the CVMA must inform all provincial, institution, and program officials of matters related to accreditation in a timely manner.

To ensure that all matters dealing with accreditation of programs in veterinary technology are conducted in an unbiased manner, the AHTVTPAC has adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy. The policy extends and pertains to those AHTVTPAC members who have immediate family (parents, spouses, and siblings) in any of the potential conflict areas listed.

No member of the AHTVTPAC who has an identified conflict of interest must participate in any way in accrediting recommendations who:

• Has graduated from a program being evaluated within the last five years.

• Is currently employed or has financial interest with a program or institution that is within a potential competitor region* of the program being evaluated.

• Is or has been employed by the program or institution being evaluated.

• Is or has had financial interest in the program or institution being evaluated.

• Is a member of the advisory committee or Animal Care Committee of the program being evaluated.

• Is an employee or former (within the past five years) employee of the CVMA.

• Has reason to believe other conflicts of interest exist that have not been listed above (the member should communicate with the Chair of the Committee for clarification of any concerns).

At AHTVTPAC meetings, members with an identified conflict of interest will not participate in accreditation recommendations. The individual shall leave the room when the report in question is being discussed. In cases where the existence of a conflict of interest is less obvious, it is the responsibility of any committee member who feels a potential conflict of interest exists, to absent themselves from the room. The conflict of interest policy shall be limited to recommendations and decisions regarding accreditation and shall not infer conflict with other decision-making responsibilities.

*Potential competitor regions: Manitoba and West, Quebec and East, and within Ontario

Accreditation is the voluntary process by which educational institutions are evaluated for quality based on conformity with established standards.  Accreditation serves to enhance the profession and to protect the public by identifying goals and assisting institutions in achieving these goals.  The following minimum standards have been established by the CVMA to assess and enhance the quality of accredited veterinary technology programs.

All accredited programs must substantially meet the Standards for Accreditation.  The standards are intended to assist programs in preparing entry-level veterinary technicians and are written to allow flexibility in the design and implementation of a program.  It is recognized that the standards reflect an evolving process and are subject to change.

The following definitions shall be used in applying the Standards:

• must: indicates an imperative need, duty or requirement; an essential or indispensable item; mandatory.

• should: indicates the recommended and highly desirable manner in which to attain the Standard.  Compliance is expected unless there are extraordinary and justifiable circumstances that preclude full compliance.

• may: indicates freedom or liberty to follow a suggested alternative.

An accredited veterinary technology program must be part of an institution of higher education accredited by an agency recognized by the appropriate national, provincial, or regional agency with that authority.

Sustainable financial support must be adequate for the program to attain the educational goals and support its mission.

a.   The program must develop and follow its mission statement. 

b.   There must be clearly defined lines of communication between the institution and the program director, program director and faculty/adjuncts, between program personnel, and between program personnel and students.

c.   Program relationships with students, faculty, administrators, and the public must be conducted with integrity.  Policies and available educational services for veterinary technology students must be clearly defined and consistent with those provided to all students enrolled in the parent institution.

d.  The AHTVTPAC must be apprised of changes in administration, organization, association with the parent institution, and major changes in the curriculum, faculty, or stated objectives. All changes must be reported to the AHTVTPAC within sixty (60) days of implementation with an explanation of how the program will continue to comply with accreditation Standards. 

e.   The program must have an advisory committee that meets at least annually to provide external counsel regarding equipment, curriculum, demographic trends, and other matters pertaining to the veterinary technology profession. Membership must include credentialed veterinarians and veterinary technicians, encompassing diverse professional background in companion animals, large animal, laboratory animal practice and industry representation. The committee must have at least 1 credentialed veterinarian and 1 credentialed veterinary technologist. A functional advisory committee should be focused on receiving information from outside the institution.

f.    Programs in which there are agreements between two or more institutions are recognized; when a shared program meets the criteria for CVMA accreditation, the institution granting the certificate will be awarded the accreditation status.

g.   Communication and interaction with veterinary technician educator associations (i.e., Association of Veterinary Technician Educators), veterinary medical associations and veterinary technician associations should be maintained.

a.   All aspects of the physical facilities must provide an environment conducive to learning and the achievement of the educational goals.  Classrooms, teaching laboratories, and other teaching spaces must be clean, maintained in good repair, adequate in number, appropriate in capacity, and provided with sufficient equipment to meet the instructional need and the number of students enrolled.

b.   All clinical facilities for primary earning must emulate contemporary veterinary facilities.  Standard types of laboratory and clinical equipment, consistent with those used in contemporary veterinary facilities, must be provided and must comply with the list of Resources for Clinical Instruction (part 5 of Section VIII).

c.   Office space must be sufficient for the instructional, advisement, and administrative needs of the faculty, staff, and program.

d.   Animal housing must be consistent with accepted humane standards and federal and provincial regulations (see 5b).

e.   Safety of students, program personnel, and animals must be a prime consideration. (refer to Statement on Safety, Appendix A).

f.    Drugs, biologics, reagents, and other materials used in conjunction with animal care shall be currently dated and appropriately labeled.  Materials used for demonstration purposes must be appropriately identified and stored.  Controlled substances must be stored and logged in accordance with government legislation.

g.   Waste management must be appropriate for the needs of the program and consistent with regulatory agency requirements.

h.   Storage must be sufficient for program needs.

a.   Animals of various common domestic and laboratory animal species must be available for use in teaching.  Adequate numbers of animals are required to provide the necessary quantity and quality of clinical instruction to meet curriculum requirements without overuse of the animals or violation of standards of humane care (See Use of Animal in Teaching Programs, Appendix B).

b.   Programs must follow all applicable federal and provincial regulations and guidelines for the care and use of animals utilized by the program.  The institution must have an Animal Care Committee to monitor and approve the use and care of animals used in teaching and with sufficient authority to enforce humane animal care practices in all aspects of the program.  The goal of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is to ensure appropriate care and use of animals by institutions involved in research, teaching, and testing.  Institutions complying with CCAC standards are awarded a Certificate of Good Animal Practice (GAP).  A GAP certificate is a requirement for CVMA-AHTVT training program accreditation.

c.   Models and other alternate methods of teaching that are consistent with the goals of the curriculum must be considered to replace, reduce, or refine animal use. 

d.   Records and logs for animals used by the program must be comprehensive and accurately maintained.

e.   Off-campus providers of instructional support must meet objective requirements set by the program with respect to the physical facilities, staff, and available equipment.  A memorandum of understanding or contractual arrangement must be established with all off-campus sites including, but not limited to, externship, preceptorship, and distance learning sites.

f.   If program staffed clinical veterinary services are offered, documented evidence must exist that clients are informed that student instruction is a major component of patient care. The primary purpose of such clinical veterinary services, regardless of animal ownership, must be teaching, not revenue generation.

a.   Libraries and information retrieval are essential for veterinary technicians’ education and continuing education.  Timely access to current information resources through print, electronic media, and/or other means must be available to students, faculty, and staff.  Students must have access to a qualified librarian or resource specialist.

b.   Knowledge of quality information resources, library use, and development and application of information retrieval skills must be included in the educational experience.

a.   The institution and program admission policies must be well defined and documented.

b.   Applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Consideration of the qualifications of applicants for admission must include aptitude for, and interest in a career in veterinary technology.

c.   The AHTVTPAC recognizes that some institutions must perform under admissions policies that prohibit selective entry into veterinary technician education programs.  However, the development and consistent application of selective admissions standards may be helpful in admitting more qualified students, reducing attrition, and producing graduates who are most likely to succeed and, therefore, should be encouraged.

d.   Catalogues, websites, or other official publications must contain the institutional and programmatic purposes and objectives, admission requirements and procedures, academic offerings, diploma/degree granted, and requirements for graduation.  This information must include the length of time necessary for completion; policies with respect to satisfactory academic progress; policies on transfer of credits; tuition, fees, and other program costs:  , refund policies; , and the provincial and national requirements requirements for eligibility for credentialing for entry into the field of veterinary technology.

e.   The institution and program must demonstrate integrity and responsibility in student recruitment practices.  Admission must be non-discriminatory and in accordance with federal and provincial regulations. Personnel who are knowledgeable about the program and its requirements should conduct student recruitment.

f.    The program director or appointee should participate in the deliberations of the admissions committee and selection of students.

a.   The number of students must be appropriate to achieve the mission of the program. Enrollment must not exceed the available resources including the number of faculty and support staff needed to meet the educational goals of the curriculum. An appropriate program personnel-to student ratio must be maintained to ensure student and animal safety and adequate delivery of instruction in program specific-courses. Program personnel to student ratios must not exceed 1:12 for laboratory courses without animals present and 1:8 for laboratory courses with animals present. Compliance with indicated ratios [final sentence of 8.a] is required by September 1, 2022. Programs not in compliance at this time may be subject to an adverse accreditation status).

b.   Student support services must be available within the institution for program students.  Interactions between students and faculty/staff must be sufficient to communicate expectations for successful academic performance, provide feedback for improvement of skills or knowledge, and encourage professional growth and development.

c.   Throughout the curriculum, students must be exposed to veterinary team concepts and appropriate modeling of ethical and professional behavior.

d.   Students should be encouraged to affiliate themselves with respective local, provincial and national veterinary technician associations.

e.   The program must develop a legally defensible pregnancy policy for the protection of the individual and the institution.

a.   Faculty and staff numbers must be sufficient to deliver the educational program and meet the instructional goals of the program.

b.   Instructors in the program must have knowledge and expertise in the topics they teach and promote the appropriate role of the veterinary technician in the veterinary health care team.  Instructional duties must not violate provincial laws regarding the practice of veterinary medicine. 

c.   The program director must be a licensed veterinarian or a licensed veterinary technician who is a graduate of a CVMA or AVMA accredited program. The program director must have the educational background and occupational experience appropriate to understand and fulfill program goals.  The position of the program director should be full time within the institution.

d.   The program director must have the responsibility, authority, and support necessary to manage the program successfully.  The director must be responsible for organizing continuous program review and development processes that assure program effectiveness.  The director‘s appointment must include sufficient time for administrative and teaching responsibilities as well as opportunities and support for professional development.  This must be documented in a written job description that must clearly define the position of director within the institutional hierarchy.

e.   Each program must have a minimum equivalent of one full-time licensed veterinarian and a minimum equivalent of one full-time veterinary technician who is a graduate of a CVMA or AVMA accredited program and/or is currently registered as a veterinary technician.

f.    academic positions must offer sufficient compensation, incentives, and employment security to attract and retain qualified personnel in order to maintain program stability. Faculty and staff must have sufficient time for development and delivery of instruction, curriculum development, student evaluation, student advisement and counseling, and professional development. Programs should provide financial support for veterinary professional development activities.

g.   The institution must provide evidence that it evaluates program personnel regularly and assists and facilitates professional growth.  Program personnel members should be encouraged and financially supported to be participating members of local, provincial, and national professional associations.

h.   for off-campus clinical experiences, students and faculty should seek progressive contemporary facilities that employ graduates of CVMA or AVMA accredited programs in veterinary technology and/or are registered as veterinary technicians to act as professional role models and mentors.

a.   The curriculum must prepare graduates who will be fully capable of performing in a wide variety of professional roles within the veterinary field.  At the completion of the curriculum, graduates must have attained entry-level skills needed to support companion animal, equine, and food animal practice, biomedical research, and other veterinary medical activities.  The curriculum must provide a foundation in veterinary technology that will prepare the student to successfully become credentialed and inspire the student to continue life-long learning.

b.   The specific courses must teach basic medical science, communication, critical thinking, decision making, and clinical application skills.  Integration of nursing, medical and technical skills within the curriculum must use live animals. Whenever possible, animal nursing skills should be developed in a setting and under conditions that are a reflection of the manner in which graduates will use these skills.

c.   the curriculum must include general education and specific veterinary technology course content. Required materials can be offered as complete course offerings or be integrated into courses involving more than one area of recommended materials. Course objectives must be clearly communicated to the student through syllabi or other course documents. Course offerings to meet curriculum requirements typically take 2 or 3 years to complete.

• Applied mathematics

• Biological science

• Communication skills

• Fundamentals of chemistry 

• Anatomy and physiology

• Anesthesia, including induction, monitoring, and instrumentation

• Animal husbandry, including restraint, behavior, species and breed identification, reproduction, sex determination, and human-animal bonding

• Biosecurity-safety and security issues

• Clinical pathology and parasitology

• Communication/Interaction skills with clients and colleagues

• Diseases, preventive medicine (including dentistry), and nursing of companion animals, food-producing animals, horses, exotic species, and laboratory animals

• Economics in veterinary practice

• Ethics, professionalism, and legal applications in veterinary medicine

• Humane animal care and management

• Introduction to laboratory animal medicine

• Life-long learning concepts

• Medical terminology

• Microbiology and immunology

• Necropsy techniques

• Nutrition and principles of feeding

• Orientation to the profession of veterinary technology

• Pharmacology for veterinary technicians

• Principles of imaging, including radiography and ultrasonography

• Safety Issues, consistent with the CVMA Statement on Safety with course work emphasis on zoonoses and occupational safety (see Appendix A).

• Surgical nursing and assisting, including instrumentation

• Technician utilization and team concepts of health care delivery

• Value of professional organizations

• Veterinary office management and elementary computer skills

• Emergency medicine

• Pain management

d.   practical veterinary experience that expands student knowledge and builds proficiency of acquired skills through task-specific exercises is a required portion of the curriculum. These experiences are usually termed preceptorships, practicums, internships, or externships. These experiences are for the purpose of honing skills learned in the more formal instructional settings and should be scheduled to occur following completion of skills acquisition. Practical experiences must be a minimum, cumulative 240 contact hours. These practical experiences must be monitored by the program director or the director’s appointee who must be a program faculty or staff member. Prior to the beginning of the practical experience, on-site supervisors must be contacted by the program. Students and faculty should seek progressive contemporary facilities that employ credentialed veterinary technicians to act as professional role models and mentors. During the practical experience, contact must be maintained with students and their on-site supervisors to monitor students’ personal and educational experiences. It is highly recommended that such contact take place through personal visits and interviews by the program director or appointee. Specific criteria must be used to assist on-site supervisors in monitoring student progress. The program director or appointee must review student performance evaluations by on-site supervisors, student evaluation of the experiences, and a final student performance evaluation.

e.   successful completion of all required skills must be evaluated and documented by program personnel using standardized criteria that reflect contemporary veterinary practice. Program personnel should be a credentialed veterinary technician or veterinarian. Program personnel must have a signed agreement with the parent institution, complete training in evaluating essential skills, and regularly communicate with the program director. This agreement is in addition to any facility MOU required per Appendix C.

f.   CVMA recognizes that academic institutions may accept credits from other colleges, universities or recognized educational entities.  However, if the program accepts veterinary technician-related course credit from institutions not accredited by the CVMA or AVMA, the program must ensure that the rigor of transfer courses meets CVMA/AVMA standards. Provision of prior learning must include documentation or critical evaluation of these experiences to award college credit or advanced standing. Documentation of this assurance may be requested for review during the program accreditation process. Documentation of this assurance may be requested for review during the program accreditation process.

g.   The AHTVTPAC recognizes that a program may wish to emphasize certain areas within the curriculum to capitalize on regional variation, institutional strengths, and available job markets. This emphasis should be clearly stated in the mission statement/objectives of the program, and the curriculum must then reflect that emphasis. A choice to emphasize one aspect of the curriculum must not interfere with the acquisition of all skills listed on the Veterinary Technology Student Essential and Recommended Skills list.

a.   the program must develop program-specific outcome assessment instruments that assist in determining attainment of the educational goals. Such instruments must include, but are not limited to: attrition rates, pass rates and domain scores of the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) results compared to the national average pass rates, as well as graduate and employer surveys. Outcomes assessment results must be used to improve the program.

b.  the institution should encourage and support the program review and evaluation process for the outcomes of the educational program. 

1. Veterinary technology programs and their parent institutions must establish policies and procedures that ensure a safe and healthy environment for students, instructors, personnel, and animals involved in the educational program.

2. Student acquisition of safety-related knowledge and skills is an important part of the educational process. The ability to apply these safety-related skills will increase the value of graduate veterinary technicians to the veterinary profession.

3. It is recognized that compliance with Provincial Occupational Health and Safety legislation can be subject to variances in interpretation and application.  Nevertheless, all programs must comply with all applicable safety standards and monitor and maintain safety. Student understanding of basic occupational health and safety concepts must be instilled through the curriculum.

4. Programs will be evaluated for attention to safety issues in general, with particular emphasis on specific subjects covered under Standards 4 (Physical Facilities and Equipment), 5 (Resources for Clinical Instruction), 8 (Students), and 10 (Curriculum). (See Appendix B) (in page link).

5. The following are general safety concerns that CVMA will review during site visits:

a. Animal Handling – Because species can inflict personal injury if improperly handled or restrained, understanding and application of proper animal handling procedures must be included in veterinary technology education. In addition, the safety of animals used in program instruction must be considered for all handling procedures. (See Appendix B) (in-page link)

b. Occupational Health and Safety – While recognizing that health and safety hazards are inherent in veterinary technology education, programs must demonstrate vigilance in taking steps to reduce these risks. All areas in which program student learning takes place must be in compliance with Provincial health and safety regulations. In some instances, the CVMA expectations may expand on Provincial requirements to cover areas not specifically addressed in the Provincial regulations. Areas of concern to the CVMA include, but are not limited to: compressed gas cylinder placement and storage; eye wash, safety shower, and drench hose availability; radiation equipment, logs, use of dosimetry badges, and exposure records; availability of containers for sharps; secondary labeling of repackaged materials; use of personal protective equipment; anesthetic machine maintenance with vaporizer validation and recalibration if indicated; waste anesthetic gases handling; presence of Safety Data Sheets (SDS); program student pregnancy and rabies and/or other zoonotic disease vaccination policies; formaldehyde standards; noise; refrigerator contents; safety signage; imperviousness of surfaces in laboratories, including seat covers, in which potential pathogens and/or hazardous material are used.

c. Zoonoses – The potential risks of animals as a source of zoonotic exposure or disease transmission to humans must be taught, and program personnel must model behaviours that minimize such exposure.

d. Personal Safety – Students and program personnel must be protected from personal harm and injury due to inadequate security. Care must be taken to avoid placing individuals in risk situations as a part of educational activity, e.g., if students are responsible for handling or caring for animals, means must be in place to reasonably ensure student safety. A protocol must be in place for the handling or disposition of aggressive or dangerous animals (such as "faculty only to handle animal" signage or removal of the animal from the program). A process must be in place to monitor student injuries/safety on externships/preceptorships. Also, a protocol must be documented that describes the management of bites, scratches, and/or other injuries sustained by students during their educational experience.

e. Emergency Preparedness – A plan must be in place to address safety issues in the event of any natural or other disaster.

The use of animals in veterinary technology teaching programs is discussed under Standards 4 (Physical Facilities and Equipment), 5 (Resources for Clinical Instruction), and 10 (Curriculum). The following guidelines are provided for clarification of accreditation requirements:

1. CVMA endorses the principles of humane care and use of animals as stated in the Provincial Animal Protection legislation and requires programs to apply these guidelines to all animal use.

2. The transportation, care, and use of animals in veterinary technology teaching programs must be in accordance with the regulations of the CFIA, CCAC and applicable provincial and local requirements.

3. Alternative teaching methods should be used for initial training of students in procedures which may cause pain or distress to the animal, i.e., parenteral injections, lavage dosing, bladder catheterization, etc.

4. All animal activities conducted by a program must be reviewed and approved by the institutional animal care and use committee and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).

a. A written program of veterinary care for animals used in the program must be on file.

b. Animal use protocols must contain all information required by CCAC guidelines.

c. Repeated use of individual animals for teaching laboratories must be specifically reviewed by the institution’s Animal Care Committee (IACC) to ensure appropriate conditioning procedures and frequency of use.

d. Teaching procedures, which may cause more than momentary pain or distress to the animal, must be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia.

e. Euthanasia methods must be in accordance with CCAC guidelines.

f. Prolonged restraint, multiple major surgical procedures, and food or fluid restriction from animals for teaching purposes must be prohibited. Exceptions must be specifically reviewed by the IACC.

g. Formulate and publicize the IACC policy for investigating and responding to complaints of inappropriate animal care or use, which includes protection from reprisals (i.e. whistleblower policy)

h. Membership of the IACC must meet CCAC and Provincial animal protection guidelines. It is highly recommended that programs consider having more than the minimum number of members, to allow for quorum requirements and conflict of interest on votes.

i. Meeting frequency, quorum requirements, as well as IACC minutes and reports must conform to CCAC guidelines.

Off campus providers of instructional support must meet objective requirements set by the program regarding the care and use of animals, physical facilities and available equipment.

One of the expectations of the accreditation process is that each student is observed by program personnel successfully performing each essential skill on a live animal.

The essential task list is reviewed regularly and must remain as close as possible to the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA) essential task list to maintain mutual recognition with the AVMA CVTEA accreditation program.

For each essential task that requires observation of each student performing the skill, the program must record the:

1. Name of Course and semester where the information is introduced didactically

2. Name of Lab and semester where the skill is performed on a model

3. Name of Lab and semester where the skill is performed on a live animal

It is expected the information is introduced didactically first. The practical application of a skill is done next followed closely after by performing the skill. The timing of acquisition of skills is important so that the skills do not have to be repeated. Thoughtful laddering of skills and sequencing of both didactic and practical skill development is expected. Also, the use of models to completely prepare students before their assessment on a live animal contributes to refinement, reduction and replacement of animal numbers.

With regard to animal numbers and pedagogical merit, the most important element is the appropriate animal to student ratio that supports learning. The invasiveness of the procedure, and how often the animal is used on a daily, weekly or monthly basis are important elements of ethical review undertaken by Institutional Animal Care Committees when reviewing animal protocols and standard operating procedures for each animal lab.

The number of students in the program and lab group size determine how many animals will be used overall. Too few and the learning experience for students will likely be diminished, too many and the teaching may not be efficient, or too many animals will undergo possibly stressful procedures.

Some colleges go beyond the CVMA essential task list. Those skills above the CVMA requirement do not fall under the CVMA Pedagogical Review process.

Hands on labs where live animals are used require the following animal to student ratio to assure learning objectives are met. The following list is a subset of the Essential Skill List i.e. the skills that must be individually assessed for each student using a live animal and that may be assessed with a group of students using a live animal. This is the list of skills that are required to be reported for pedagogical merit.

 

Accreditation Classifications

The final appraisal of each program is based on a review of the total educational program by an evaluation site team visit and accreditation decision by the CVMA, with consideration given to each stated objective and the Standards as listed. The current classification of a program in veterinary technology must continue to be in effect until the latest site visit report and recommendations are acted upon by the CVMA. The accreditation classification of each program will be published annually and made available upon request.

Full Accreditation – programs that substantially meet all Standards of Accreditation. Full Accreditation must be valid for a period of five years. The evaluation process is repeated at five year intervals. When a program has been fully accredited for two consecutive cycles, the program may apply for a two year extension. Full accreditation is subject to submission of satisfactory annual reports.

Provisional Accreditation – new programs that have made significant progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. The program will remain on provisional accreditation until achieving full accreditation, or for a period not to exceed three years. Programs with provisional accreditation may be placed on probationary accreditation or accreditation withdrawn if the program does not provide continuing evidence of progress toward meeting all standards, or if it has been on Provisional status for 3 years. Once graduates have been produced and outcomes have been collected and analyzed, a provisionally accredited program may petition for full accreditation. A site visit will be required prior to an accreditation decision.

Probationary Accreditation – an accreditation status assigned to a program that has specific deficiencies in one or more Standards. The deficiencies are of such a nature that they can be corrected in a reasonable length of time, not to exceed two years. Prior to expiration of this prescribed period, the AHTVTPAC may either review requested reports, request that an institutional representative appear before AHTVTPAC or conduct a special site visit to determine if the deficiencies have been corrected.

If at the end of the two year time frame, deficiencies have been corrected and there is evidence to support full compliance, the program may be granted the appropriate level of accreditation for the remainder of the accreditation cycle, as determined by CVMA. A program which has been fully accredited previously may only return to Full Accreditation, while a new program that has been on Provisional Accreditation may be returned to Provisional Accreditation for no longer than the balance of the three year period for Provisional Accreditation. Conversely, if at the end of the two year time period, the program can provide reasons acceptable to the CVMA for its inability to comply with all the Standards, the CVMA may extend Probationary Accreditation for a good cause, for a further period not to exceed one year.

Interim measures must be taken to ensure education of technician students. If the reasons for non-compliance do not have merit, the CVMA must take immediate action to place the Program on Accreditation Withdrawn.

Administrative Probationary Accreditation – an accreditation status assigned by the CVMA for a maximum of ninety (90) days when an institution/program is not in compliance with one (1) or more of the following administrative requirements to maintain accreditation:

1. paying accreditation related fees and charges within thirty (30) days of invoice date;
2. submitting reports or other required information;
3. agreeing to a reasonable on-site evaluation visit date at or near the time established by CVMA.

Administrative Probationary Accreditation is an accreditation category and is not subject to appeal. Although the institution/program is recognized and listed as accredited during the period of administrative probation, failure to completely remedy the situation by the date specified by the CVMA may result in Accreditation Withdrawn. Complete resolution of the situation cited in the administrative probationary letter will satisfy the administrative requirements and result in restoration of the accredited status. Penalty fees may be assessed a program on Administrative Probationary Accreditation.

Terminal Accreditation – will apply to programs that are voluntarily discontinuing. Terminal accreditation designates those programs that are voluntarily discontinuing, have met the requirements for Terminal Accreditation as set by the CVMA but are not able to address other essentials that address continuity of a program such as graduate surveys, long-term support for the program, etc.

Students enrolled at the time a program is terminally accredited will be considered graduates of an accredited program when they complete the curriculum.

CVMA may grant terminal accreditation if:

1. the program or institution notifies CVMA of its intent to discontinue and requests consideration for Terminal Accreditation status.
2. an interim report is submitted within 6 weeks of the program’s notification of CVMA of the intent to terminate the program that describes how the academic quality and integrity of the educational program will be maintained, as described by the applicable CVMA requirements, for the currently enrolled students and the program commits resources adequate to complete the education of currently enrolled students.
3. no additional students are admitted to the program.

Once Terminal Accreditation is granted:

1. the institutional president (or chief officer) and program director are notified immediately by the CVMA in writing of the classification status and the reasons, therefore.
2. the CVMA will notify appropriate licensing agencies and veterinary medical associations of actions taken.

Terminal Accreditation is maintained provided the program:

1. submits an interim report on the progression of the plan for program closure 60 days prior to each AHTVTPAC meeting.
2. the submitted interim report indicates compliance with applicable CVMA requirements.
3. no additional students are admitted to the program.

Terminal Accreditation will be withdrawn if:

1. the program or institution fails to communicate with CVMA on the status of the program closure as required.
2. applicable CVMA requirements are not met during closure of the program.
3. additional students are enrolled after the announcement of the intent to close the program.

Procedures for Programs with Classification of Terminal Accreditation

1. Major changes in the program must be reported to CVMA within thirty days of implementation. This report must document how the program will continue to comply with the accreditation standards.
2. The classification of terminal accreditation is intended to protect enrolled students from the disadvantage of graduating from a non-accredited program and may continue no longer than necessary to protect the education interests of such students.
3. During the period of terminal accreditation, a special site visit may be required to determine whether the program is meeting the condition for terminal accreditation as stated above. The site visit and information furnished in writing by the program will be considered by the CVMA to determine if terminal accreditation should continue.
4. Follow graduation of enrolled students of programs with terminal accreditation, accreditation will be withdrawn.
5. Graduates of a program classified as Provisional, Probationary, or Terminal Accreditation are considered to be graduates of a CVMA accredited program in veterinary technology.

Graduates of a program classified as Provisional, Probational, or Terminal Accreditation are considered to be graduates of a CVMA accredited program in veterinary technology.

Accreditation Withdrawn – accredited programs that have had their accreditation withdrawn.

Procedures for Programs with Classification of Accreditation Withdrawn

1. Major changes in the program must be reported to CVMA within thirty days of implementation. This report must document how the program will continue to comply with the accreditation standards.
2. The classification of accreditation withdrawn is assigned because enrolled students have not been protected from the disadvantage of graduating from a non-accredited program. Students enrolled in a program with the accreditation withdrawn will not be graduates of an accredited program.

A program will have accreditation withdrawn if:

1. A Program has been on probationary accreditation for two years with no significant progress to report.
2. An institution is voluntarily closing its doors and does not meet the requirements for Terminal Accreditation.

When accreditation is withdrawn:

1. the institutional president (or chief officer) and program director are notified immediately by the CVMA in writing of the classification status and the reasons, therefore. The CVMA will notify appropriate licensing agencies and veterinary medical associations of actions taken.
2. not later than 30 days after the date of the assignment of accreditation withdrawn, the program may initiate appeal proceedings as described in the CVMA Procedures for Appeal of Adverse Decisions on Accreditation.

If a program wishes to regain accreditation, the program must:

1. submit an application for accreditation.
2. pay all applicable fees.
3. commit resources adequate to complete the education of currently enrolled students.
4. undergo a site visit to determine whether the program is meeting the standards of accreditation as stated in the Policies and Procedures of the CVMA-AHTVTPAC. The site visit and information furnished in writing by the program will be considered by the CVMA to determine if accreditation can be reinstated.

Graduates of the program after the date that accreditation is classified as “withdrawn” will not be considered graduates of a CVMA accredited program.

Adverse Accreditation Decisions Appeals

An adverse decision on accreditation is defined as withholding initial or renewed accreditation, denial of a request for change in accreditation status, or the granting of less than full accreditation status.

In the event of an adverse decision by the Animal Health Technologist/Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation Committee (AHTVTPAC), the affected institution may petition for review of the decision on the grounds that AHTVTPAC disregarded established CVMA approved criteria for accreditation, failed to follow stated procedures, or failed to consider all the evidence and documentation presented at the time of the evaluation. When an institution petitions for review of a decision, the following procedure will apply.

1. Not later than 30 days from receipt of the final evaluation report and recommended accreditation status, the Chief Executive Officer of the institution affected shall notify the President of the CVMA, in writing, that a review of the decision is requested. Not later than 60 days after the date of the notification of the adverse decision, the institution shall submit documentation supporting the appeal.
An advance deposit of $5000 must accompany the documentation materials and will be applied against the expenses incurred by the hearing panel. Additional necessary expenses shall be paid by the institution, and any surplus shall be reimbursed.

2. The President of the CVMA shall appoint a hearing panel comprising five people, none of whom shall be members of AHTVTPAC. The President of the CVMA shall name the Chair of the panel.

3. A hearing shall be held at a mutually convenient time and place within six months of receipt of documentation supporting the petition. CVMA staff will schedule and organize the hearing and notify the hearing panel, the institution and AHTVTPAC members by registered mail.

4. At any hearing, the petitioner and AHTVTPAC have the right to present witnesses, submit any evidence pertinent to the case, and to question witnesses; persons giving oral testimony shall be sworn in by the Chair of the hearing panel. Before permitting testimony relating to the character or general reputation of anyone, the panel shall satisfy itself that the testimony has a direct bearing on the case at issue. Although the hearing process does not require legal counsel, the hearing panel and/or the AHTVTPAC may have legal counsel present to advise it with respect to procedure.

5. The hearing panel may either affirm the decision of AHTVTPAC or recommend to AHTVTPAC that it reconsider the decision, giving reasons in either case. The written conclusion of the panel shall become a permanent record.

6. The initial accreditation status of the program involved shall remain unchanged. During the review, and there shall be no public notice of an adverse decision until the review is complete and a final decision has been rendered.

7. The Chief Executive Officer of the institution and Director of the program will be provided with detailed copies of the decision of the hearing panel.

8. At the discretion of the hearing panel, or upon the advance request in writing of either the petitioner or AHTVTPAC, a transcript of the proceedings may be made. The cost will be borne by the party requesting it.

9. Travel, meals, and lodging for the hearing panel and witnesses will be at the expense of the institution requesting the hearing. Expenses will be reimbursed by the CVMA and charged to the institution requesting the hearing. Any other cost that may be incurred by petition for review shall be provided for by the institution requesting the hearing.

10. The report of the hearing will be considered at the next regular meeting of the AHTVTPAC. In the event that the hearing panel has recommended reconsideration of the initial decision of the AHTVTPAC, all deliberations of the AHTVTPAC, as well as the factors considered prior to the final decision, shall be a matter of record. The final decision on the appeal rests with the AHTVTPAC.

11. Not later than 30 days after the announcement of a final decision subsequent to a hearing, either the institution or AHTVTPAC may petition for rehearing of new evidence that could not, with reasonable diligence, have been discovered and produced at the original hearing. The procedure for a rehearing shall be the same as that described in paragraphs three through nine above. No more than one petition for rehearing may be filed by any party in a case.

Protocol For Handling Complaints Directed At A Veterinary Technology Program

The CVMA is interested in sustaining the quality and continuing the improvement of veterinary technology education programs and will accept complaints directed at a program. To ensure fairness to all parties, the CVMA will use the following procedures when considering complaints:

1. The CVMA staff will apply these criteria to determine if the complaint is appropriate for review by the Animal Health Technologist/Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation Committee (AHTVTPAC).

• The complaint involves a CVMA accredited veterinary technology program or a developing program seeking CVMA accreditation.

• The nature of the complaint, if verified, could potentially jeopardize a program’s ability to meet the Standards for CVMA Accreditation.

• The complaint is written and signed by the complainant identifying his/her relationship to the program.

2. CVMA staff will acknowledge receipt of the complaint to the complainant within ten working days. If the complaint meets the preliminary criteria for review by the AHTVTPAC, a copy of the complaint procedure will be issued to the complainant.

3. Staff will notify the Program of the content of the complaint, the position of the complainant, and review the complainant procedure. The CVMA will take every precaution to protect the name of the complainant from being revealed to the Program; however, the CVMA cannot guarantee confidentiality of the complainant.

4. Staff will invite the Program to respond to allegations.

5. Staff will gather pertinent facts surrounding the complaint including the program’s.

6. If, after the pertinent facts are gathered, CVMA staff, in consultation with the AHTVTPAC chair, and/or other members of AHTVTPAC as appropriate, determines that the complaint meets the criteria for review, the original complaint and the facts of the investigation will be forwarded to the AHTVTPAC.

7. The AHTVTPAC will review the complaint and facts to determine if action is necessary.

8. Both the program and the complainant will be notified of the AHTVTPAC and CVMA’s decision. If the committee determines that action is necessary, staff will inform the program.

9. The program, or parent institution, has the right of appeal the action of CVMA if the decision results in a change of accreditation status for the Program.

The CVMA staff and the AHTVTPAC do not intervene on individual matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff, or students.