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**Updated October 14, 2021** Have you ever wondered what a veterinary technician’s job is all about?
It’s the type of job that encompasses being a dental hygienist, phlebotomist, pharmacist, laboratory technician, radiology technician, anesthetist and surgery assistant all at the same time! That’s a lot of knowledge to track and you may not realize that the Veterinary Technician at your clinic does all these things and more. Veterinary Technicians are trained and proficient in these diverse areas in order to take the best care of your furry, scaly, feathered, smooth-skinned and shelled loved ones.
Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs) study for two years at an accredited program and must complete internships to practice the skills learned in school. We must take and pass a nationally accredited exam in order to be certified. In different states, there are sometimes different designations such as Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) and Registered Veterinary Technicians. Each designation can mean that the person has learned different skills and has different hands-on and continuing education requirements. In Colorado, a CVT needs 20 hours of continuing education every two years to make sure we are up to date on current protocols and procedures.
CVTs often work more than an eight-hour day. We arrive before our clients hit the parking lot and stay until well after we have locked the door for the day to finish up with any remaining patients, prepare for the following day’s appointments and surgeries, and deep clean before we go home for the evening.
We do this job because we love taking care of animals, all animals, and we want you to have them in your life for as long as possible. We know we all need our fur babies (or scaly and winged critters) as much as they need us!
So, for National Veterinary Technician Week, thank your Veterinary Technician for taking such good care of you and your charges. We do it because we care and we love what we do.
2 Comments
Thanks for helping me understand that each designation in the veterinary field might mean that they have learned various skills and experiences. With that in mind, it would be best to look for a temporary veterinary job staffing if you plan to go in this field. It will definitely give you the experience you need to slowly make your way to the top of the career that you wanted.
Most veterinary offices require experience or at least enrollment in a vetted program. There is so much to learn and understand, just as in human medicine. You may find an internship where you can start learning the ropes and help with the basics, but the industry is moving toward education and certification in the hands-on part of veterinary medicine. It’s a process, just like everything.