IMPORTANT; This article does not call into question the skill, ability and passion of the Vet Assistant or Licensed/Registered Veterinary Technician. This is not an attack on them or in any way meant to belittle them. They are highly skilled, intelligent people, vital to the functioning of a good veterinary practice. This article is regarding those who are ashamed of their title "technician" or physicians who may think the term "technician" does not send a strong enough message to the public for having the adequate skill set they wish to portray. Those type of people are the ones that feel that they need to make themselves feel more important by giving themselves a title. Regardless of the reason, it is illegal in the State of Texas
When Dr. Sutton, owner of Hometown Animal Care in Pflugerville TX told a tale of the fragile state of Hunter after surgery, he revealed that instead of receiving the overnight After-Care services ( that were not disclosed to the owner until after the initial quote of $1000 was given and agreed upon) and incorporated to increase the total cost by approximately 300%. After-Care that:
Dr. Sutton also tries to misleads the reader into believing that it was the owner’s care that led to Hunter's fragile state after surgery and alleges "long term" abuse and neglect with no evidence to support such a claim other than a medical chart that had nothing in other than an initial assessment from April 2013. He assumes that Hunter has not been to a medical professional since that entry in their medical records,therefore he could make up any story he liked with confidence that it could not be disputed. What he failed to realized was that HAC was not the primary vet..... just convenient. Hunter had been seen much more recently by a physician that Dr. Sutton would have like. Dr. Sutton disregards the fact that he has just spent the previous paragraph discussing Hunter's weakened state. SO why did Dr. O’Hair rushed to perform this surgical procedure? Medical Records show she did nothing to stabilize or address any of his physical ailments. No interventions. Nothing to ensure he could survive such a surgery. She didn't even put her name or initial anywhere on the medical chart to take accountability for her responsibilities. Which comes to the next question. What type of skill set would a person be required to possess to provide the necessary care and be unsupervised by a licensed veterinary? Especially for a patient that Dr. Sutton describes as: "It was 5 days before his temperature elevated to a level where we thought he might survive" Dr. Sutton Dr. Sutton identifies Amy as his NURSE to try to explain why it was appropriate and not grossly negligent that Hunter's post-op care took place at Amy's house instead of an Emergency Care facility the owner was told was REQUIRED. “One of our nurses, Amy, provided 24 hour care for Hunter. She would take him home at night with all appropriate equipment and medications and provide care throughout the night. He was cared for in the hospital during the day.” Dr. Sutton. It is the end of February. It is already stated Hunter's body temperature is an issue. Yet Amy takes Hunter back and forth between the indoors and outdoors. What type of nurse would do that?....Wait, a nurse at a veterinary clinic? I've never heard of that. What is the nursing board's opinion? The Texas Nursing Board is very protective of their title because its a title of respect and it is well deserved. The Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Section 301.251 states that unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person’s name: the title “nurse” or any other designation tending to imply that the person is licensed to provide nursing care. They have a name for this type of person. This is specifically addressed in an article that appeared in the BON Quarterly Newsletter entitled Imposter Warnings: Who is an Imposter? “There is another category of individuals who refer to themselves as nurses, but are not employed in nursing settings. For example, some veterinary assistants use the term "vet nurse" to describe themselves. These persons are of concern to the Board because they are misrepresenting themselves as licensed nurses to the public. This type of behavior is also unlawful and should be reported to the BON.” October 2010 BON Quarterly Newsletter page 6 of the newsletter www.bon.texas.gov Dr. Sutton's statement, on behalf of Hometown Animal Care and the unlawful false elevation in status of his employee has earned him a cease and desist letter from the Texas Nursing Board. | Nursing Practice Act — Chapter 301Sec. 301.251. License Required. (a) A person may not practice or offer to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state unless the person is licensed as provided by this chapter. (b) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:
(c) This section does not apply to a person entitled to practice nursing in this state under Chapter 304. (d) unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:
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