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Mentoring GuidelinesThe decision to become a mentor to a colleague is an important step in a successful AVDT training program and, ultimately, a successful completion of the veterinary technician specialty. In Greek mythology, Mentor was the loyal friend and advisor of Odysseus and the teacher of his son, Telemachus. Webster’s New World Dictionary states the definition of a mentor as 1. a wise and loyal adviser 2. a teacher or coach. The purpose of the mentor is to guide and evaluate the mentee through the processes of their training program, the submission of credential materials, and the examination preparation. In addition to providing your dental knowledge and expertise, mentorship will require your time for evaluation of case treatments and submission materials. Mentors must be familiar with the current AVDT training program requirements Each mentor needs to obtain a copy of the credentials packet to ensure that they are participating using the same materials as the applicant has. It details the program requirements, equipment list, and AVDT-approved forms. Mentors should outline a plan to accomplish the mentorship and communicate the structure of the mentor program to the applicant. Both the mentor and mentee should agree upon the planned outline. An AVDT Board Member may have a total of three credentialed veterinary technician applicants or RDH/credentialed veterinary technician applicants. Questions to Ask Before Deciding to be an AVDT Mentor:
How to evaluate a potential applicant as a possible mentee:The requirements for an AVDT credentialing program are based on a 2-year time frame. Therefore, a successful and rewarding mentor-mentee relationship requires planning and agreement prior to the start. It is important to know as much as possible about the applicant, through review of his or her curriculum vitae, evaluation of the applicant’s current level of dental skill and equipment, and discussion of the applicant’s desire and commitment toward advanced veterinary dentistry. Undertaking a veterinary dental training program requires a great amount of involvement, time, and money. The applicant must be familiar with and agree to all the basic program requirements, the protocol of the AVDT training program, and prerequisites for admission to the certifying examination. The mentee also must be aware of other time and financial commitments including (but not limited to):
The mentor should communicate to the applicant the structure of the mentor program and also outline the review process. Discussion should also include information regarding mentor guidance and mentee evaluation. Although the mentor and applicant may be friends, one purpose of the mentor is to critique the applicant’s work and submissions. The mentee should not take remarks personally. A mentor or mentee may recommend a provisional working period to see how the mentor/mentee relationship is going to work. Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Mentor a Potential Applicant:
Assisting your Mentee with the Credentialing Process:By December 15, all AVDT training program applicants and their mentors must together submit several required documents to the Credentials Chair of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians along with the required fee:
All applicants and mentors are encouraged to review the current Credentials packet at the training program inception to become familiar with the scope of the final credentialing process. The AVDT Mentorship Program:All mentors and mentees must read the AVDT credentialing packet and be familiar with it. Each basic program requirement and its AVDT-approved format are detailed in it. Changes in the required format of submission and forms may be implemented by the AVDT at any time and applicants and mentors are encouraged to ensure that the most recent guidelines and forms are used when making program submission requirements. Although it is the responsibility of the mentee to maintain records, logs, and documents, the mentor must evaluate the submissions and sign them. A mentor should not allow the applicant to submit a substandard document package. Substandard, incomplete, or late submissions will be returned to the sender, resulting in a delay in the training program. Mentors should realize that the high standards required for the documentation submission help assure competency for the certifying examination application. The mentor should assist the mentee in achieving these standards. Preparing Your Mentee for the Credential Application:It is the mentee’s responsibility to make sure that all forms are in proper order and that all case logs and case reports have been reviewed and are ready for submission. Preparing Your Mentee for the Certifying Examination:It is the mentee’s responsibility to be sure that she/he is as ready as possible to take the exam and that all arrangements for taking the exam are in order. The mentee is responsible for submitting all information required to the mentor in a timely fashion for review. |