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There's a difference between a tech and a veterinary assistant

Posted By: sm on 2006-02-08
In Reply to: How does one get into being a veterinary assistant/tech? sm - Metu

The main difference is that a tech is certified and has a bachelor's degree or beyond. My son worked as a vet tech while in college because he was a biology major and the vet he worked with found it easy to train him.

A veterinary assistant is more often trained by the vet since it's not so involved. They do vital signs, dispense meds, set up the room for the next patient, etc.

The difference between a vet tech and a veterinary assistant is comparable to the difference between an RN and a nurses' aide.

Either way, it's a very rewarding and gratifying way to make a living.


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How does one get into being a veterinary assistant/tech? sm
Are there schools to go to or does the vet train you?
Your husband tech guys are not the bible. You have go give access for tech sm
support to get onto your computer. Just sit there and watch everything they do. If you still feel uncomfortable do not take the job.
Need veterinary help

I have a very old blind and deaf black lab who lays on the floor next to my computer.  She's a love but she has horrific gas constantly.  Does anyone know of something to help this old girl out.  She eats IAMs kibble-style food twice a day and does not eat table scraps.  She gets zero exercise these days. 


Veterinary MTs?!

Is anyone out there a veterinary MT? I just read an interesting article about veterinary medical transcription. How fun would that be for us that are animal lovers? I did not know such a job existed.


Here is the article:


http://health-information.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?cc=98501&zz=0#AnchorPostComment


 


 


Agree. You could be a Surgical Tech or Respiratory Therapy or a Med. Tech. nm
s
Veterinary Transcriptionists??

Does anyone transcribe for a vet?  How did you get in to this area of transcription?  It sounds like it would be interesting.  Maybe they just have their secretaries transcribe.  Thoughts on this.


Thanks!


Has anyone ever done veterinary transcription? sm

I was talking to one of the veterinarians I take my oldest dog to.  It's a small specialty clinic, and we've been going there for almost 2 years now, not long after they first opened up. 


They are all very caring, highly professional people there.  They value quality over quantity, and they really go above and beyond in their care and in spending time with each patient and owner.  (I've actually joked that if I need surgery, I want to go there.  LOL)  Because of that, they don't see a large number of patients and plan to keep it that way, but their business is definitely thriving. 


There are 2 full-time vets there, and 1 who is part-time.  Their problem is that they are drowning in paperwork.  They're all very meticulous and detail oriented, so they don't just scribble something down on a chart or dash off a letter or home care instructions and call it good.  They like to document everything thoroughly, but it's becoming very time consuming for them. 


They tried a speech recognition program, but it was terrible.  They know I do MT, so we started talking.  They're interested in whether I might want to do their reports and letters, *if* they were to start dictating this stuff (we were just talking, nothing has been decided). 


The thing is, I've spent the last 10 years working for a national (the infamous, pay-cutting "Q" as a matter of fact), so I'm not at all set up to just jump right in.  I have no idea what I would charge, whether I would work there or at home, what the work volume would be, what software I would use, whether I'd be an employee or IC, etc.  And, of course, there are some differences between human vs. veterinary medicine. 


I don't know.  My head is kind of spinning right now.  I think it would be such interesting work that I would love.  It could be such a great opportunity, but I feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of all of it.  Any thoughts, advice, recommendations...? 


Veterinary/Ophthamology position--sm

I sent an e-mail regarding this post asking if it were legit as it seems to be posted quite frequently and the general feeling on this board is that this company 'tests' with current work needing typed.  See company board under original response for her post.


She responded by sayng  "My ad is very detailed because I am particular about whom I hire, as anyone who works for me carries my company name and work ethics.  If you feel there are too many requirements and that the pay is "ridiculously low," then why would you want the job?  I have worked in this business now since 1989, and I can assure you that the pay is more than reasonable."


 


Have you tried the Drs. Foster and Smith veterinary website?
Great site!

I hope your doggie's feeling better soon.
OT: Changing face of veterinary medicine (sm)

Is it only me or has veterinary medicine changed quite a bit over the years to resemble care of humans?  I have cats and absolutely love them but I'm becoming torn between necessary care, preventive care, and just down-right UN-necessary care.  I remember back when animals went to the vet for shots and only when they got sick.  If they were sick, diagnosis and prognosis dictated the next level of care.  And in most cases back then there were no options other than to let nature take its course if something serious/chronic was found. 


I'm now noticing that every time I take one of the cats to the vet's, the doc wants to do "baseline" blood work at least once a year and now wants to see my ten-year-old cat on a twice-yearly basis.  My kitty is healthy as a horse and has had no health problems for ten years.  Why all of a sudden does he need expensive BASELINE lab work and xrays as well as needing to be seen twice a year and have his teeth cleaned twice a year (not cheap)?  It sounds like I'm complaining about the money end versus taking care of my kitty, and I suppose in a sense I am, because this adds up to a whole lot over the course of time.  The doc mentioned the reasons for the lab work (diabetes, thyroid problems, anemia, cancer, etc.)  I'm torn between having the work done and what I would do if anything chronic showed up on the tests.  I love my kitty but don't know if spending lots of money on chronic meds/therapy would be an option when I would have to weigh other expenses against them. 


What is the deal with this veterinary ophthalmology IC job offer. I see that one a lot. Is this al
Has anybody here worked there before? 
Med Assistant
I did the exact opposite.  I went to a community college to become a medical assistant right out of high school.  It took 2 years and I got my Associate of Science Degree.  However, when I went into the workforce I found out that Medical Assistants don't make much more than minimum wage and you are scheduled to work 40 hours a week for full time but end up working about 50-55 hours a week.  I actually got a job in a Family Practice Residency Training Program Clinic but was hired as a medical transcriptionist.  I did the transcription but "helped out" as a medical assistant just so that I could have the best of both worlds.  Good luck.  I think you get paid more for medical billing.
I use Total Assistant Pro
and it works great for me. You can download the trial version and then purchase after 30 days if you like. It does all the work for you. I love it.
(lab assistant for 7 years)
1) white fluid? sounds like a dirty needle to me.

2) a capped needle does not mean it was not used. a needle in a guys jacket does not mean it was not used either.

3) needles go into a sharps container (should have left it in the labcoat for doctor to pick up). i would not have gotten rid of left it in the jacket, in a box/bag, with a note of caution for everyone else until doctor came in.

3) gloves do not prevent a needle stab.

may sound petty to others....but unless you've worked in an area with all kinds of bodily fluids, this is pretty dangerous.
Virtual assistant....sm please
Does anyone know anything about virtual assistants? I met someone and she said that she makes a lot of money doing this. I am looking to supplement my income, because I just can't support myself and my family off 0.08 cpl. I find that I am working way too much just to make ends meet. I have noticed that some virtual assistants are required to do transcription as well as other clerical duties. Can anyone help me with some info on this? Does anyone know how much they make, and if it is worth my time? Thanks.
Medical Assistant
My sister taught medical assisting. It is a 9-month program and when you are done you only make about $8/hr. One of the modules is on MT and quite a few of her students went on to be MTs because they could make more money.


I use Total Assistant and like it. nm
xx
I'm a CMA (certified medical assistant)...
and can give injections with a doctor's order, so I assume a CNA would be allowed to also. Not sure about Florida rules though.
Personally, if that personal assistant was-sm
supposed to be you, I would ask for an exorbitant amount of money to do this. such a waste of time!!! Wonder who he is trying to show off for. lol.
I love Total Assistant Pro. sm
I have to work with text boxes on office letterhead and I found Total Assistant counts the text inside the text boxes while others didn't.
I am thinking about being a Medical Assistant
XX
ABCZ Typing Assistant-

Has anyone used any of the ABCZ files from the following site, in particular this file "ABCZ Typing Assistant Version 2 - TAMed2C " ?http://home.earthlink.net/~agjon/abczTA.htm


I have Instant Test and was wondering if there was a way to create your own ABCZ shortcuts with the "importer"?


Thanks


 


 


 


SmartType vs Smart Type Assistant

Are these one and the same or different?  Does Smart-Type work in Dictaphone Extext platform?


Thanks in advance for any help from anyone.


 


How about starting a virtual assistant business? (sm)

You could do all kinds of stuff (do a Google search under virtual assistant, there are some webpages that explain stuff).  U-Haul I believe also hires people to do phone customer service from home.  If you look on guru . com they have people who advertise for odd jobs and lots of them are virtual assistant kind of stuff.


Just some ideas.  You could also do daycare, pampered chef, that kind of stuff.  :)


Wanting to leave MT to be a medical assistant
I'm not sure where to post this but here it goes...I have been an MT now for a little over 2 years, I got into it because it was the only legit profession I could do at home with my newborn baby, definitely was not thinking long term career when I went for it, just something to bring in money while I was at home with the baby.

Now my newborn is going into kindergarten and I have been truly unhappy with the company I am with. So now I am looking to work outside the home and really what I would like to do is be a medical assistant (not CNA). Nursing would take so much schooling, time and money that I don't think I could handle going that route but just something in the middle where my transcription skills would come in to play and I would be working with patients, physicians, paper work and working outside of the house (which would be soooooo nice).

My questions is, does anybody know anything about medical assisting that I should know? I understand it is pretty low pay but then again I am not willing to go to school for 4 years so that is to be expected.

Any help would be very appreciated. Thanks!
sounds like a job a regular assistant could do rather than higher wages for a QA to do.
no speciality needed to look up addresses.
You really cannot see the difference?

When people first started coming to America, it was an undeveloped country.  Aside from the Indians, there were no other people living here.  What other language was there aside from what the Indians spoke?  The new Americans and the Indians learned to communicate with each other and both sides learned the other's language.  It only stands to reason, however, that English would be the dominant language, as they became the majority of those living in America. 


Also, when our founding fathers came to America, they and the others that then followed made America what it was and is today.  THEY are the ones who made America great by the blood, sweat and tears of their families.  They had every right to come over here as they were the ones doing all the work!!!!!  They did that work to take care of the future generations of Americans. 


But now our "powers that be" in the government do not make decisions based on AMERICAN best interests, but for people from other countries.  To be politically correct, we have flooded our country with people that want to prosper from OUR WORK.  They do not come over here and better America in any way.  They better their own little circle of family and actually make life harder for the people who belong here in the first place. 


That is the difference between immigrants then and now.  The more we let them in now, the more jobs we lose, the higher our bills become, the more terrorism we face.  When do WE benefit???????  It has nothing to do with prejudice either.  Who cares what they look like, where they are from?  It doesnt matter.  What matters is what they expect, what handouts they want, the bending of the rules for them while we get no break.


If you are Native American, then I would think that  you would be sick and tired of having all you work for taken away from you.  I know that I am.


What is the difference from QA and QC TIA
nm
That's the difference between (sm)
preparedness and no plan at all.  Shame on LA officials for not implementing their own evacuation plan.  Did they really believe a hurricane the size of the Gulf of Mexico wasn't going to be deadly??  If LA officials had followed their own Emergency Operations Plan, most of these senseless deaths could have been avoided.
Same difference, eh?

Don't you think there is a difference between
making a human error and being an inconsiderate pig??? Since they are responsible for these people's records they should go out of their way to be understood. But then again I guess that's our fault too, seeing how the salaries between doctors and transcriptionists (and any other health professional) are so even. Pllllleeeaaassseee. Why don't you send your docs each a Christmas gift for even letting you type their records? They'll stash it right next to all the gifts they get from the medical companies kissing their butts.
no difference
The major concern of IRS is employee versus ic.

EXAMPLE - get 1099 at end of year, you set hours, no benies - IC

EXAMPLE - get W2, punch clock, etc., employee.

As IC, you can deduct all of your business related expenses - i.e., the beauty of small business. Just you, your are a sole proprietor, use Schedule C. Have people under you - several different ways - check out IRS.gov.
There's a difference...

they have a mechanism in place to allow you multiple installs. This only gives you 3.


What is the difference
Can anyone tell me what the difference is between an LX-219 and an LX-219-1.  Also what is the difference between a "Basic digital station with backlight" and a "Enhanced digital station with backlight"? Thanks!
I think the only difference with the new law is SM
now you have to complete a credit counseling class, and instead of filing every 6 years, it is 7 or 8, or something like that.
The difference is...

If you want to make more money, then become the business owner, take the risks and then you'll have the additional income. You'll never get rich working for someone else. Complaining and badmouthing management and other business owners never translates into more $$ in the check--sometimes people complain themselves right out of a job.


I know this board is an "open forum" for all topics. It's just unfortunate that so much of the talk is about how terrible management/business owners are. There are lots of good MTSOs out there!


I have never had a difference between say - sm
an OP note versus a H&P or DS, or ER note. I have seen offered diffrence in pay between clinic versus acute care work; clinic is less since it is easier. I have only ever been paid a flat rate, 2 jobs with incentive pay (.005 to .01 more a line over so many lines a day). I have 2 IC jobs now that is flat rate period, regardless of number of lines or when you work them (had a job years ago that sometimes would pay .01 more a line over the weekend but only when they got out of TAT, but that was they only time they would ever do that). Good luck finding an IC job that pays more for the more difficult reports; most likely few and far between.
Okay. That is probably the difference

We are not an MTSO, we are employees of the facility working out of our homes.  I will keep track of the e-mails though as you have suggested. 


I do believe though that it is more or less passing the buck.  That way if it was supposed to be in there and it wasn't the doc has someone else to blame.  Thanks everyone.


I don't know that there is a difference, but...sm
I wanted to keep all my things in one place so if I could send the word autocorrects to ShortHand without having to spend the time retyping them all it would be great. 
Okay, but what is the difference?
What can an Expander do for me that I am unable to do with Word? (Other than spell Mickey Mouth...heehee)

thanks for the replies!
The only difference in now and then is
way "back then" they probably had a little more upbringing where they said urinate instead of the word you used. I think they called it class?
I don't think there's a difference between the 2...
I've done both and never noticed a difference, just company calling you a subcontractor instead of IC. Maybe just a preference on their part? There's obviously a difference between these 2 and being an employee.
I don't think there is a difference

no difference
I was a sub IC at one time and it made no difference tax-wise than being a regular IC. You're just getting paid by the contractor instead of the client directly.
There is a difference
I do notice a big difference working in InScribe in upload/download time and reliability. There are copies of the dictations on both ends while I work, but I can see that only getting half a file and having dial-up bomb out would not be a good thing (and frustrating, at the very least, for me). Besides the reliability and speed, it's just one of those things....it just IS a requirement. I don't think about it, just use what I'm told to use, and write it off.
There's a difference between
If you think she takes all the easy work, then you take it all one night.  It will all come to fruition when that starts happening.  Stop being so childish, and take the work and do it.  I'm sorry, but your post sounds like a 2-year-old that is telling in the 4-year-old who took the last cookie!  Maybe I'm grumpy, but my gosh, put on your big girl panties and tell 'em like it is!  Karma is for people who are malicious in their intent.  You don't sound malicious, but you do sound like you sort of have your nose in someone else's business.  If the cherry picking is tolerated, then do some of your own cherry picking and see what happens. 
Can any one tell me the difference between...

eScription and ExText/ExSpeech.  I think Dictaphone administers both, but I think their ExText/ExSpeech platform is horrible.  ExText locked up at least twice a night (requiring a reboot) before I went to ExSpeech.  Now that I am in ExSpeech, the footpedal freezes (requiring a reboot), and the ExSpeech platform takes a week-long holiday every month or so, so if you are a VR editor, you still have to try to make Expanders and learn the traditional authors for that little bit of downtime.


Is the eScription platform any better?  My company has both, but I do not want to go through the trouble of learning a new platform and new accounts for the same crap I am already experiencing.


Sorry if I seem rude, it is just 3 weeks before Christmas, and I do not need the hassle of finally having work and the #@%$ platform does not work properly.


There is a difference between...

being realistic and pessimistic, tactful and rude.  I personally prefer to offer an optimistic viewpoint and hope that she takes the advice and builds a great business. We need more good MTSOs.


Actually the difference is this.....sm
Offshoring is sending the work overseas.
Outsourcing is when a hospital or clinic outsources their work to a transcription company. :)
What is the difference
then btw an IC and an employee? I have my own personal computer and high speed internet. Do you usually have to purchase the software? As an IC do you make your own hours compared to an employee? And as an IC is this just temporary work for the company. What is the benefit of being an IC versus an employee? THX
My in-law had it, no difference.
She says she never would have done it had she known she wasn't going to see any difference. She was 68 when she had the procedure done (so definitely lots of wrinkles). Still looks the same (even when comparing pictures not much of a noticable difference at all). Based on her results, I wouldn't do it.