The W’s of Veterinary Technicians
What makes a Veterinary Technician? We sure hope folks would love to know! To those not in this industry (and honestly, sometimes even to those in this industry) it seems impossible to identify one veterinary professional role from another because they’re all vital and integral parts of the whole team, and each one is a champion in their own right. No one role could deliver the best quality of care or the highest standard of medicine without the others. So we’re here to break down what makes a Veterinary Technician *cue the veterinary technician anthem* (https://youtu.be/3Wu89VajhSo?si=qA93i1G2CXMBGTe3, by Kelsey Carpenter).
Who are Veterinary Technicians? Legally speaking, per the Georgia Veterinary Practice Act (https://gvma.net/georgia-veterinary-practice-act/): "a licensed person who engages in the practice of veterinary technology and on the basis of his or her qualifications is validly and currently licensed by the board for such purpose." But how does one become a licensed person in the state of Georgia? To sum up the requirements laid down by the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (https://rules.sos.ga.gov/GAC/700-6) - to apply for licensure the candidate must be over 18, must have graduated from an AVMA-CVTEA Accredited Program (with some individual basis exceptions), must have passed the National Veterinary Technician Exam (VTNE), and paid the applicable fees. Whew, much legal jargon. Thanks for hanging in there!
What are Veterinary Technicians? Although a broad and existential question, we’ll utilize the Scope of Practice for Veterinary Technicians (https://rules.sos.ga.gov/GAC/700-14) to keep it tangible. Licensed Veterinary Technicians in the state of Georgia do everything, and we mean everything, short of: making any diagnosis or prognosis, prescribing any treatments/drugs/medications/appliances, performing surgery, or administering the rabies vaccine. We’re talkin’ collecting samples (blood, urine, various fluids, skin, fine needle aspirates, etc), cleaning teeth with ultrasonic and hand scalers, taking dental radiographs, taking whole body radiographs, restraining patients for examination and services, administering medications (orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, rectal, intraperitoneally, topically, etc), applying bandages, monitoring anesthesia, inducing anesthesia, intubating patient after inducing anesthesia, educating clients, and so so much more - and often ALL in one day! With such a broad umbrella of responsibilities, a veterinary technician is nothing without the rest of the veterinary team!
Where are Veterinary Technicians? Well, just about everywhere! Although general practice is probably what comes to mind first, you’ll find Veterinary Technicians in all sorts of specialitieis; including but not limited to: emergency, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dentistry, equine, exotics, large animal, dermatology, physical therapy, shelters & rescues, zoos, aquariums, etc (we could go on for daaaays). But there’s also other sides of the profession: education, poison control hotlines, 24/7 veterinary professional chat services, pharmaceuticals, equipment maintenance and support, and so much more!
Why are Veterinary Technicians? Veterinary Technicians, like the veterinarian’s that came before us, decided to make the job a career - one where they pursue continuing education, swear an oath (https://navta.net/veterinary-technician-oath/), where they could band together in the face of adversity, and where they would speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
When Veterinary Technicians? The best way we figured we could answer this was that Veterinary Technicians are when they renew their license biennially by December 31 of the year in which the license expires. Conceptually, Veterinary Technicians are now, and who know where the future will take us.
Veterinary Technicians settle for nothing less than W’s (wins).
