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Nation Veterinary Technician Week is celebrated the third week in October. This year is October 11 through October 17, 2015.
What is the difference between a Veterinary Technician and a Veterinary Assistant?
What is the difference between a Veterinary Technician and a nurse?
What is the difference between a Veterinary Technician and a Veterinarian?
What is the difference between a Veterinary Technician and a Veterinary Assistant?
A veterinary technician has to complete a 2 year or a 4 year course (AAS or a BS) at an AVAM accredited program. Upon completion of this curriculum, they take a national test to become licensed in their respective states. Veterinary assistants are generally trained on the job and have no formal education. In the state of Virginia, assistants are not allowed to perform certain procedures such as the placement of catheters- only listened personnel are allowed to do so. This is not true for all jurisdiction in the United States and there are many differences. My personal feeling is that these requirements in Virginia increase the quality and safety of care for our patients.
What is the difference between a Veterinary Technician and a nurse?
Some facilities use the term veterinary nurse. The term “nurse” is legally reserved for those individuals who work on humans. In reality, Veterinary Technicians have a much wider range of skills than nurses. Veterinary Technicians are trained to take X-rays, run blood work, provide laser therapy, and many more in addition to nursing patients.
What is the difference between a Veterinary Technician and a Veterinarian?
Each group is trained differently and for different periods of time. The basic difference is that Veterinary Technicians can do almost everything that a veterinarian can do except: perform surgery, prescribe medication, and make diagnoses. We function as a team. I always tell people – you want the technician to draw blood and perform nursing functions. My job is to make the diagnosis. As veterinarians, we are extremely fortunate to have such a professional, well-trained and dedicated para-professional group to help us.
To learn more about National Veterinary Technician Week click here
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