Registered Veterinary Technician
Do you know that a Veterinary Technician is considered as one of the most important associate in the veterinary health care group? Veterinary Technicians have studied the proper ways of caring for and nurturing animals, the foundation of principles of life development, as well as laboratory and clinical practices.
Job Description
Registered Veterinary Technicians often do not work alone, but under the supervision of a licensed Veterinary Doctor. The Registered Vet Tech’s job involves executing large array of works. They are not allowed to make a diagnosis, recommend medicines, and carry out surgery, though, as these are the things certified veterinarians do.
If you have an innate care and love for animals, this can be a basic reason for you to pursue a Veterinary Technician career. This career will not just fulfill your objective to nurture animals, but it also provides you the opportunity for a lucrative career.
Duties and Responsibilities
Since a Registered Veterinary Technician is an essential associate of the veterinary health care group, it is expected that Registered Vet Tech will execute varieties of work such as veterinary tending, anesthesia, dental cleaning, diagnostic laboratory procedures, and imaging. You must remember that the duties of a Registered Veterinary Technician must be executed under the supervision and administration of a certified veterinary doctor, although a Registered Vet Tech can also work independently, in certain circumstances.
• Write and keep the patient case records;
• Gather samples and carry out laboratory measures;
• Give specific nursing aid;
• Arrange animals, tools, and apparatus for surgery;
• Help in diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical measures;
• Render and enlarge x-rays or radiographs;
• Inform and teach animal owners;
• Administer to and guide practice staff;
• Execute dental prophylaxes;
• Oversee the gentle care and treatment of animals; and,
• Help out in the execution of research developments.
Career Regulation
In order for you to become a Registered Veterinary Technician, you must comply with the regulations provided for Veterinary Technicians, such as licensure examination and certification. Aspiring Veterinary Technicians are usually required to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), before being given a license and certification to practice. This examination aims to test candidates for skill and knowledge through an examination monitored by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (SBVME).
Continuing Education
Moreover, it is not enough to pass the NVTE alone, because you must engage in Continuing Education (CE). Some state licensing boards oblige the Veterinary Technicians to enroll a definite number of hours for CE in order for the candidates to renew their licenses. On the other hand, almost all Veterinary Technicians find it significant to keep on learning to improve their knowledge and skills. There are many programs offered by different schools for CE.
In Purdue University, for example, CE programs are offered in their Veterinary Technology Program. The set of courses will teach and guide students to execute several medical measures and scientific laboratory works. The curriculum offers an educational foundation that is essential to understanding and doing the tending and technical tasks that vet tech exercised in medical procedures. These will be under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.