We recently celebrated National Veterinary Technician week at District Vet. Guest speakers, breakfasts, lunches, small rewards, new hoodies, and much deserved recognition were all part of the festivities. As a client of a veterinary facility, you have interacted with many of these professionals, but do you know their true role in caring for your pet?
No veterinary facility can function without veterinary technicians and assistants. They work as a team with the doctors to perform a multitude of tasks. The role of the doctor is to diagnose and treat, while acting as a cruise director to a team of technicians and assistants. It is impossible for a doctor to run solo in a clinical setting.
Initially the role of a veterinary technician was slow to gain traction. Over the past fifty years, education programs have been established, a national examination has been adopted, and jurisdictions have started to issue licenses to veterinary technicians. The District has been working on establishing legislation and a process to license technicians over the past decade. Nothing in government moves quickly, but soon, probably early next year, DC will finally issue its own veterinary technician licenses.
A traditional veterinary technician isn’t simply someone who loves animals (although that really is a requirement). Individuals who attain a license generally have two to four years of education post high school, attaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. They must certain work-skills tests, and achieve a ing score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination, a credentialing test istered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Post certification technicians must keep up-to-date with continuing education requirements, similar to those of veterinarians.
A number of veterinary technician programs are available, some being in-person, such as at Northern Virginia Community College, and a host of on-line and hybrid programs. Becoming a licensed veterinary technician isn’t a quick or fast process—it requires dedication and an investment in schooling and training.
Veterinary assistants work with veterinary technicians to achieve patient and client care. Assistants attain their skills and professionalism at each individual practice, learning from and ing the doctors and technicians.
In our clinical practice setting, the veterinary technicians, along with the assistants, work under the guidance and supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Although tasked with many facets of care, they cannot diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery, or engage in any activity prohibited by the District’s veterinary practice act.
The veterinary technicians handle many of the same responsibilities that nurses perform for human physicians. They obtain histories; collect specimens; perform laboratory diagnostics; take X-rays; assist in preparing animals, equipment, and instruments for surgery; monitor sedated patients’ vital parameters; place bandages; scale teeth in dental procedures; provide client education and much more.
These para-professionals keep a veterinary practice running. They are some of the first and last people you see at the clinic. They are the ones who will sit on the floor with your dog and gently pet their back when they are having their blood drawn. They are the people who patiently will detail post-surgery instructions to you, the client. They are invaluable.
Usually in November I write an article about thanks, given the holiday on the fourth Thursday. For this November I give thanks and much appreciation our veterinary assistants and technicians. Not-to-be-forgotten in the least, also our client care specialists—they are gems keeping it all together.
Please to give thanks to those who keep the profession meowing and barking along.
Dr. Teich is the medical director for District Veterinary Hospitals in Navy Yard, Eastern Market and Brookland. Visit www.districtvet.com for more information.
