Pets give us unconditional love and veterinary nurses/technicians provide an abundance of TLC and medical care to your pets and all animals. Your pet deserves the best in pet care and it takes everyone on the veterinary health care team to make that happen. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) recognized that fact and created National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW).
National Veterinary Technician Week is October 15th-21st. The theme this year is “advancing veterinary nursing and technology.” Veterinary Nurses/Technicians work closely with your Veterinarian, assistants, practice managers and other staff to ensure the best quality care for all species of animals; pets with fur, feathers, scales or skin. Credentialed Veterinary Nurses/Technicians (CVTs) are educated professionals who complete a rigorous training course and continue to learn the latest advances in veterinary medicine.
What Does a Veterinary Technician Do?
Much like nurses in human health care, veterinary technicians can sometimes be undervalued and underappreciated. The unsung heroes of veterinary medicine, they play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of your pet as the “right hand” of the veterinarian.
But what exactly does a veterinary technician do? According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the more than 95,000 veterinary technicians in America are responsible for performing medical tests under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to assist in diagnosing the injuries and illnesses of animals. Depending on the animal hospital and the veterinary technician’s level of education and certifications, some of their specific tasks can include:
- Observing the behavior and condition of animals
- Providing nursing care or emergency first aid to recovering or injured animals
- Bathing animals, clipping nails or claws, and brushing or cutting animals’ hair
- Restraining animals during exams or procedures
- Administering anesthesia to animals and monitoring their responses
- Collecting laboratory samples, such as blood, urine, or tissue, for testing
- Performing laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Preparing animals and instruments for surgery
- Administering medications, vaccines, and treatments prescribed by a veterinarian
- Collecting and recording patients’ case histories
The list can go on and on. In fact, the list of what a veterinary technician can’t do is much shorter and easier to digest. A veterinary technician cannot make diagnoses, perform surgery, or prescribe medication. Just about everything else is fair game.
Interested in becoming a veterinary technician? The U.S. Department of Labor expects employment of veterinary technologists and technicians to grow 19 percent between 2014 and 2024, which is much faster than the average. To learn more, visit the website for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
The veterinary technicians in our office regularly go above and beyond to keep your pet happy and healthy. Show your appreciation October 15 – 21, which is National Veterinary Technician Week.
Be sure to follow our Facebook page all week as we share fun facts about our amazing team!
Have questions? Need to make an appointment?
The Brodheadsville Veterinary Clinic team is here to help!
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