What is an AHT?
An Animal Health Technologist (AHT) is a person who has successfully
completed a minimum two-year program of study in Animal Health
Technology. In Alberta, this program has been in existence
since 1974. By assuming patient care and technical duties,
the AHT enables the veterinarian to develop as a diagnostician,
increase their patient load and better their health care services.
These are the only four AHT programs recognized and accredited by the Canadian
Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) in Alberta. Entrance requirements
to the programs vary slightly from college to college. A grade
12 diploma with Math, English, Chemistry and Biology is required.
Related experience such as volunteer work at a vet clinic
or work on a farm is necessary.
The program of study includes the following:
Clinical Laboratory Skills
Hematology
Body Fluid Analysis
Clinical Chemistry
Microbiology
Laboratory Mathematics
Quality Control
Operation and Maintenance of Laboratory Equipment
This portion of the training is comparable to the Medical
Laboratory Technologist training, with the exception of studying
animal specimens, rather than human.
Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Functional and Applied Radiology
The study of all body systems
Nutrition
Animal Husbandry
Animal Disease and Prevention
How to take Quality Radiographs
Understanding the basic principles of radiology
and radiology safety
Surgery
Anesthesiology
How to prepare a patient for surgery
Surgical Assistance
Sterile Technique
Knowledge, Recognition and Care of Instruments
Maintenance of the Surgery Suite
Understanding theories and effects of anesthetics
on the body
Types of anesthetics and methods of administration
Monitoring of anesthetics from induction to recovery
Pharmacology
Animal Nursing
Identification and storage of drugs
How to properly dispense and label prescriptions
Basic theory of drugs and their effects on the body
Drug inventory control
Proper restraint techniques
Collection of laboratory samples such as urine and
blood
Administering prescribed medications and treatments
Bandaging and emergency first aid treatment
Monitoring temperature, respiration and heart rate
Ensuring the patients well being
General Business Skills
Medical terminology
Reception skills and record keeping
Basic accounting
Typing and basic computer technology
Client relations
Much of the training is a combination of practical skills
and classroom studies which involve a wide variety of animals,
such as livestock, pets and exotics.
Therefore, in the field of animal care, an AHT may be required
to perform numerous duties including animal nursing, radiology,
laboratory technology, nutritional counseling and reception.
