The Role of a Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians are highly-trained veterinary assistants. Technicians provide patient monitoring, animal restraint, surgical and dental assistance, laboratory diagnostics, administration of medicines and treatments, anesthesiology among other vital animal care and veterinary clinical tasks.
Some technicians are trained on the job by the veterinarian(s) or other technicians on staff. Some technicians attend schools that offer two or four year degrees in the science of veterinary technology. Upon completion of a formal academic program or by taking state-administered certification tests, one can become credentialed as a licensed or registered veterinary technician.
Credentialed technicians often have a better job outlook and higher income opportunities, but this varies with an individual’s level of experience and by local demand.
Credentialed veterinary technicians are known by various initials in the United States:
- CVT: Certified Veterinary Technician
- LVT: Licensed Veterinary Technician
- RVT: Registered Veterinary Technician
