A veterinary clinic’s hierarchy is clearly defined. Each team member has a specific role to play in ensuring that the clinic runs smoothly in order to provide high-quality care to clients and patients. Veterinary technician jobs necessitate adaptability, character strength, and compassion. In a veterinary team’s hierarchy, the vet tech is above the vet tech assistant but below the veterinarian. It’s a good idea to have at least a basic understanding of what a veterinary technician does before enrolling in veterinary technician classes.
Each vet technician goes through two to four years of schooling in an accredited vet tech degree program, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. After completing a vet tech program, the technician takes a national exam and registers for work in his or her geographic region if he or she passes. Vet techs are designated as NVTs (National Veterinary Technicians), CVTs (certified veterinary technicians), RVTs (registered veterinary technicians), or LVTs (licensed veterinary technicians) (licensed veterinary technician). These credentials differ depending on where you are, but they all refer to the same job title and training.
A veterinary technician assistant is a person who has not completed the required veterinary technician training or licensing procedures. These individuals assist technicians in carrying out their responsibilities. In general, veterinary technicians can do everything except diagnose, prognose, prescribe treatment, and perform surgery. This means that veterinary technicians, including vet technician assistants, are responsible for a wide range of tasks throughout the workday.
Cleaning kennels and dog runs is a common task for vet techs, as are more skilled tasks like taking blood samples and administering medication, as well as assisting with surgery or administering and monitoring anesthesia. Some vet techs specialize in client-facing tasks, such as working the front desk, informing clients about the doctor’s instructions, or filing records. Others only work with patients, taking vital signs, restraints, and lab work. Most technicians do a combination of these tasks. All of these skills, as well as others, are taught in veterinary technician classes, so each tech is prepared to perform these tasks if the need arises.
There are specialized areas a technician can learn about in addition to standard veterinary technician jobs. These specialties necessitate additional education and range from large animal care to exotic animal care to anesthesia and nutrition. Training in a specialized field can assist aspiring veterinary technicians in obtaining higher-paying or more prestigious positions.