Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

RE: Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:01:14 GMT

It might not fit for nurses who are working within general practice. But those who are working within referral practices and are involved in using advanced imaging technique, then I feel that this sort of certificate would be grant. To give those nurses the underpinning knowledge, skills and expertise to use these imaging modalities to acquire diagnostic images and enabling the veterinary surgeon to formulate a diagnosis.

when I talk about other healthcare professionals I mean radiographers! There are PgCert in the areas of Ct, MRI. And I feel these could be relocated and aimed at RVNs

RE: Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

apache — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:36:49 GMT

[quote userid="2109" url="~/001/veterinary-nurse-clinical/small-animal/diagnostic-imaging/f/discussions/32364/diagnostic-imaging-for-veterinary-nurses/177933#177933"]The physics behind how the images are acquired, parameters used, contrast, optimising imaging quality, patient positioning, health and safety, quality control. There’s plain film radiography, CT, MRI & Ultrasound.[/quote]

Our nurses have all been via C&G but this was all covered on the course and examined. Unsure about Vetskills, but will find out with the new nurse. My feeling is they were taught more that I was as a vet undergraduate, I had to look things up! Not to mention the comprehensive selection of OSCEs that covered the practicalities of x-ray image acquisition. I think when the BVA is happy with them, that's decent external validation they are doing ok. I don't think our new grads could do a set of hips and elbows without a lot of research, the nurses can.

Yes, but that's a 1 or 2 day course, so 1-2% of the time.

As I have said, because there is very little content I can see they could teach and assess, over and above the knowledge all nurses should have.......

Not that duplicate what they can already do and has previously been examined. There is a qualification for lay people to monitor anaesthetics in animals - do you think that would be a good thing for a qualified nurse to do?* Just because a qualification exists in another area doesn't make it a great idea here.

[*disclaimer - I don't think that's a good idea, because that's a basic skill for all RVNs, like acquiring diagnostic images]

RE: Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

apache — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:20:51 GMT

[quote userid="40583" url="~/001/veterinary-nurse-clinical/small-animal/diagnostic-imaging/f/discussions/32364/diagnostic-imaging-for-veterinary-nurses/177932#177932"]We’re not just cleaners or glorified receptionist[/quote]

I never suggested you were, for a moment. Maybe I'm not explaining myself very clearly. Taking your examples:

Anaesthesia - advanced monitoring, thermoregulation, recovery, patient assessment, pharmacology, equipment, affects of age on anaesthesia, local blocks, admit and discharge etc

Internal medicine - Supporting testing, dynamic function testing, ongoing monitoring, advice and training to owners, endocrinology, nutrition, nurse clinics, geriatric screening, intensive nursing etc

For either of those suggestions there is so, so much the nurse can add to the care of the patient, and make it easier for the vets.

With diagnostic imaging the clue is in the name - diagnostic. You cannot diagnose. Already our nurses take almost all radiographs, and they do a great job of it. They are happy going as far as "is that of diagnostic quality". We don't have CT or MRI, but in other practices I know nurses do exactly the same. Our nurses set up and assist with ultrasound. As I said, part of the basic training is an understanding of how the modalities work. As making a diagnosis is an absolute no, what more could you train nurses in, that would be in any way helpful? I know vets with certs in diagnostic imaging and it's 95% concentrates on making the diagnosis. Nurses can't do mylography. Please tell me, if you think it's a useful idea and of benefit to practice, what would be covered?

I just can't see it, myself.

RE: Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 22:51:14 GMT

As said above. There are certificates in other areas of veterinary practice for RVNs so why not imaging? There is so much that could be put into a certificate. The physics behind how the images are acquired, parameters used, contrast, optimising imaging quality, patient positioning, health and safety, quality control. There’s plain film radiography, CT, MRI & Ultrasound. I’m sure that could fill up 600 hours. You could also include a portfolio of images acquired by the student as part of the certificate. You could also do RPS training as part of the certificate. There are already certificates aimed at human healthcare professionals in these areas of studying so why not veterinary nurses.

RE: Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

Iga Sieraj — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 22:00:50 GMT

Hi, thanks for your comment.

this would work in the same way as any other certification for nurses - anaesthesia, internal medicine etc. we know we’re not allowed to diagnose but would still like to know why we do things and what we’re seeing so we can make our vets lives easier! #utiliseyournurses

We’re not just cleaners or glorified receptionists ‍

RE: Diagnostic Imaging For Veterinary Nurses

apache — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:51:16 GMT

Erm, what would you put in such a certificate? Not being rude, but you all study the basics of the different modalities in training. The rest is either manufacturer specific or diagnosis based on the images - and you're not allowed to do that, so a waste of time.

You can acquire images, PD, FAST scan already. Be the RPS.

Tell me, where would you find 600 hours of teaching suitable for nurses if designing such a cert?