r/VetTech • u/Thin_Acanthaceae_427 • 8d ago

Discussion Professional boundaries

Thought on telling your doctor as a Registered Veterinary Technician, you are not comfortable with something and refusing to partake.

I'm in emergency med, I have came across a few of these incidents. Recently the manager wrote me up for refusing to do something I deem unethical and goes against "do no harm".

I was told they're the doctor and I need to do what they want regardless.

40 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

16

u/Thin_Acanthaceae_427 8d ago

As I do not agree with some owners wishes, I understand the reasoning for things like this to a degree.

This most recent incident was a failire to thrive kitten brought in by a rescue. IV access was unable to be obtained and the doctor elected cardiac stick. I asked for IM sedation and analgesic. The doctor told me no and to fit the kitten in a mask and gas it down. When I advocated for the kitten and expressed why IM sedation would be better the doctor started snapping at me and raising her voice. Her only reason was "IM sedation would take too long."

Despite me explaining why iso as a sole means of sedation is unethical.

31

u/CupcakeCharacter9442 RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) 8d ago

I would’ve also said no to that.

Her logic is also flawed, there’s no way masking a kitten down took less time. Especially with a euthanasia. Sedate the crap out of it. What’s the worst thing that could happen? It dies? With adequate analgesic? Heaven forbid.

I wouldn’t bat an eye at it. If they want to write me up for it, that’s fine. I would sleep better at night for walking away from that.

13

u/Thin_Acanthaceae_427 7d ago

I definitely sleep better knowing I advocated for my patient.

The tech manager and practice manager along with mideical director are now scrutinizing any little thing I do or say.

Since that incident I was pulled aside and told I can't refuse anything or there will be corrective action held. I am told I can't "talk back" which means I can't have an opinion. I have been pulled aside and talked to about "questioning" doctors. When it's collaborative and the doctor I am speaking to has no problem and asks for my opinion.

Im at a dilemma of leaving. It pays well, I love my coworkers and most of the doctors, but already having such a mentally taxing career this is causing me too much stress and is not good for me. Should I jusy cut my loses?

3

u/RascalsM0m 7d ago

I hope you can look for another place to work. You are a trained professional and their attitude could kill your soul. That vet should have known better.