Certified Veterinary Technician placing a catheterWhat are veterinary technicians?
What do veterinary technicians do?
We cannot diagnose, do surgery, prescribe, or initiate treatment
What is the difference between a veterinary technician and a veterinary assistant?The veterinary technician usually has training from a program in veterinary technology (two- or four-year degree); the veterinary assistant is either trained through an assistant program or on-the-job. The assistant's job is to assist the veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Why aren't veterinary technicians called veterinary nurses?While some clinics may wish to use this terminology, the nationally-accepted language is veterinary technician. While nursing is one of veterinary technicians' duties, they do much more. They are anesthesiologists, surgery assistants, radiologists, laboratory technicians, nutritionists, dental hygienists, and more. There really isn't a direct equivalent of a veterinary technician in human medicine.