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I only have so many hands - assisting in orthopaedic surgery

Tracks
Stream Two - Eureka 2
Thursday, March 20, 2025
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Eureka 2

Overview

Teri Raffel Kleist


Speaker

Agenda Item Image
Teri Raffel Kleist
ACVS, LMU, MPT

I only have so many hands - assisting in orthopaedic surgery

Abstract

Performing as a surgical assistant requires that the veterinary nurse possess a special skill set. In addition to strict aseptic technique knowledge, assistants must understand the procedure being performed and the equipment being used in order to appropriately anticipate the needs of the surgeon. This lecture will outline specific duties the assistant should be prepared to perform during an orthopedic procedure as well as standard tasks assistants perform no matter what type of surgey is being performed. Hints will be provided on how to build anticipatory skills when working with a surgeon to make the procedure run as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Biography

Teri has been a credentialed veterinary technician for over 40 years. She began her career in a private practice in WI, moving from there to the world of academia at veterinary schools at both Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin. Her love of surgery followed her to her position at Madison Area Technical College to a position in the Veterinary Technician program. Her primary focus initially was assisting in the laboratory sections of all the surgical nursing classes that were offered ( Surgical Nursing 1 & 2, Research Animal Surgical Nursing) as well as the animal care and management courses. While her position title changed over the years, her main responsibility was assisting students with learning hands on skills with the animals that were housed on campus. In the final years of her time at MATC, she was a Lead Laboratory Coordinator which was more of a managerial/supervisory position. Responsible for acquisition of all needed supplies and animals as well as overseeing the student animal care takers and general health and husbandry of all animals housed on site. Teri has been the President of both the Wisconsin Veterinary Technician Association, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America and the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians; Committe Chair for the Veterinary Technician National Exam; Member - at Large of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators and active with local and national legislative initiatives. Teri is also an accomplished author with several journal publications and the recent seceond edition of the surgical textbook "Surgical Patient Care for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses". Although retired from full time employment, Teri currently is a remote Clinical Instructor for Lincoln Memorial University's Master of Clinical Care program, guest lecturer at Melbourne Polytechnic Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing program and ACVS Laboratory Coordinator.
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