How to handle talking about experience outside of my "scope of duties"?

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Im really starting to think about applications for the class of 2021 now and have been really thinking about how to handle talking about my first and second vet assistant jobs on my application and in interviews.

I live in Wisconsin and was hired as an assistant to a small animal hospital and trained on the job. This hospital did not have any technicians and all of the assistants carry out the doctors orders. After I was there a while I started to dispense meds, help prep for surgery, monitored surgery, did some lab work, etc. This was all super normal to me and that job, I was good at it, learned a lot, and she trusted me to do it.

I had to move for school and found another job down there where I had very similar responsibilities, it ended up not working out because they didn't give me enough hours and their medical records made me too uncomfortable to work there any longer.

While I thought about quitting there I applied to some other clinics and got an interview with the one I work at now (as a receptionist). During the interview I explained my job duties at the previous two places and the interviewer quickly told me that it is illegal for me to count meds and monitor surgery.

I still have to look into the laws myself, but if it really is illegal how should I even go about discussing it during the application process? I learned so much from it I don't want to just sweep it under the rug.. But I also don't want to get the veterinarians or myself in trouble. Any advice on how to approach this?

(I did search "illegal" and didn't come up with anything about this but I apologize if it has been talked about before.)

 

[PrincessButterCup]

From https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/ve/7/02/8/d :

(5) Veterinarians may delegate to unlicensed assistants the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian:
(a) Basic diagnostic studies, including routine radiographs, nonsurgical specimen collection, and laboratory testing procedures.
(b) Monitoring and reporting to the veterinarian changes in the condition of a hospitalized animal patient.
(c) Dispensing prescription drugs pursuant to the written order of the veterinarian.


(4) Veterinarians may delegate to certified veterinary technicians the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian when the veterinarian is personally present on the premises where the services are provided:
(a) Administration of local or general anesthesia, including induction and monitoring.

. . . .

So maybe it was *technically* illegal for you to monitor surgery as an assistant (and not a vet tech). Lab work and counting pills are totally kosher.

 

[hazelmoo]

I would definitely still mention it in your application... Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I highly doubt the school will look into it too much. They don't know if you were monitoring with a licensed tech or alone, and that's something that you deserve credit for!

 

[heyyimhayley]

From https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/ve/7/02/8/d :

(5) Veterinarians may delegate to unlicensed assistants the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian:
(a) Basic diagnostic studies, including routine radiographs, nonsurgical specimen collection, and laboratory testing procedures.
(b) Monitoring and reporting to the veterinarian changes in the condition of a hospitalized animal patient.
(c) Dispensing prescription drugs pursuant to the written order of the veterinarian.


(4) Veterinarians may delegate to certified veterinary technicians the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian when the veterinarian is personally present on the premises where the services are provided:
(a) Administration of local or general anesthesia, including induction and monitoring.

. . . .

So maybe it was *technically* illegal for you to monitor surgery as an assistant (and not a vet tech). Lab work and counting pills are totally kosher.

This also varies by state. For example, in MA, there is no difference (legally speaking) in the duties that can be done by a technician versus an assistant. But in NY, the laws are pretty strict (no drawing blood, placing catheters or surgical monitoring without a technician liscense). I've worked in both states, so that's why I used this example. So it depends where you live! But again, this is only the surgical monitoring that might be technically illegal, the other stuff is fine. I wouldn't worry about it, it's not like you were performing surgeries or prescribing medications yourself.. That would be a red flag. The stuff you're talking about should be fine to mention on your application.

 

[PellsBells93]

I know where I worked the vet let me fill meds, monitor anesthesia, draw blood (even without supervision), place catheters, intubate, and more. I put that all in my application (not the no supervision part) and I got in and had no problems. I did interview for a another job somewhere else in the same state and I was told I would not legally be allowed to do 3/4th what I had been doing.


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