Controlled Substances

Term from Veterinary Services industry explained for recruiters

Controlled substances in veterinary medicine are strictly regulated medications that require special handling and documentation. These include pain medications, anesthetics, and certain behavioral medications used to treat animals. Veterinary staff must follow specific federal and state laws about how these medications are stored, used, and tracked. This term often appears in job descriptions because handling these substances requires special training and certification, making it an important skill for veterinary professionals.

Examples in Resumes

Maintained accurate records and inventory of Controlled Substances in accordance with DEA regulations

Managed Controlled Substances documentation and security protocols in busy veterinary hospital

Supervised staff training for proper Controlled Substances handling and disposal procedures

Typical job title: "Veterinary Professionals"

Also try searching for:

Veterinary Technician Veterinary Practice Manager Veterinary Assistant Veterinary Nurse Controlled Substance Coordinator Veterinary Hospital Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you set up a controlled substance management system for a new veterinary practice?

Expected Answer: Should describe creating secure storage, implementing tracking systems, establishing documentation procedures, and training staff on compliance requirements.

Q: How do you handle discrepancies in controlled substance inventory?

Expected Answer: Should explain investigation procedures, documentation requirements, reporting protocols to DEA, and corrective action implementation.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What documentation is required when administering controlled substances?

Expected Answer: Should mention patient records, drug logs, exact amounts used, witness signatures when required, and proper disposal documentation.

Q: Explain the different schedules of controlled substances and their storage requirements.

Expected Answer: Should describe the basic differences between Schedule II-V drugs and their specific storage and documentation needs.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic safety protocols for handling controlled substances?

Expected Answer: Should discuss proper documentation, double-checking medications, witnessing waste, and basic security measures.

Q: How do you properly document the administration of a controlled substance?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic log entry requirements including date, patient, drug amount, prescriber, and person administering.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic controlled substance documentation
  • Understanding of security protocols
  • Knowledge of proper storage requirements
  • Basic inventory counting

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Controlled substance inventory management
  • Staff training on protocols
  • Audit preparation and participation
  • Discrepancy investigation

Senior (5+ years)

  • DEA compliance program management
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Quality control oversight
  • Regulatory audit management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Lack of knowledge about basic DEA regulations
  • Careless attitude toward documentation
  • No experience with drug logging systems
  • Poor attention to detail in record-keeping