Veterinary technology programs impart a large list of skills and knowledge to their students. The list ranges from recordkeeping, animal husbandry, surgical assisting, diagnostic laboratory testing, radiology and ultrasonography, anesthetic monitoring and management, nursing, laboratory specimen collection, etc. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a large list of tasks that students completing AVMA accredited programs must complete called the: Veterinary Technology Student Essential and Recommended Skills List
Veterinary technician schools will provide you the training needed for your job. These schools specialize in only preparing you for the job by providing on the job training and instructor lead courses.
AnswerThe difference between a veterinary techician and a veterinary assistant is the amount of education and credentialling required. Veterinary assistants are not required to have any education related to the field of veterinary medicine or veterinary technology. There are voluntary educational opportunities; however these are not equivalent to a college degree programs and are instead basic vocational training. There is no over-sight by a professional body to ensure that the majority of these programs provide adequate or correct information. There is no requirement for hands-on training and instructors often have little or no experience or education in the veterinary field. There are a handful of certification programs that are designed and approved by veterinary professional organizations or that are offered by colleges which also offer accredited veteirnary technology programs and these are better choices for someone who wants to be a veterinary assistant. This is an entry level position for working in the veterinary field and is not a recognized profession in any state.In contrast, veterinary technicians or technologists (the terminology varies somewhat depending upon clinic and degree) have generally completed a college program and received either an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in vet tech. In many states, vet techs also have to maintain state licensure, including ongoing continuing education.
In the UAE, you can study veterinary medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain. Additionally, the University of Sharjah offers a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine program. These institutions provide comprehensive training in veterinary science and animal care.
A veterinary technician's primary role is typically to provide nursing care to patients in a veterinary facility and provide assistance to a veterinarian, however they also perform many other tasks. Veterinary technicians assist in surgery, induce and monitor anesthesia, perform diagnostic imaging such as taking radiographs and performing ultrasonography, maintain veterinary pharmacies, provide client education, maintain patient records, maintain practice inventory and often serve as practice managers.
We'd need to know where you live to provide specific information. Checking out a site like PennFosterCollege.edu should give you an idea of the curriculum and general prerequisites.
In most states an associates degree or higher from an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited veterinary technology program is required. However, the laws vary from state to state so anyone interested in becoming a veterinary technician should check with their state veterinary medical licensing board or review their state's laws governing veterinary technicians.
Veterinary technicians and technologists perform a large number of tasks in a veterinary facility. They collect patient histories, educate clients, collect biological samples for testing, run laboratory tests, take x-rays, perform ultrasounds, induce and monitor anesthesia, prep patients for surgery, assist in surgery, monitor and administer treatments to hospitalized patients, help to maintain patient records, fill prescriptions, maintain hospital equipment so as to be ready for use (like surgical instruments), provide general nursing care, restrain animals, manage inventory and ordering, manage the business aspect of running a hospital, etc etc. Their duties are as numerous and varied as necessary to maintain normal daily function in a veterinary hospital.
There are a few colleges in the US that offer bachelors degrees in veterinary technology. A list of these schools can be found through the American Veterinary Medical Association website: http://www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_programs/bachelor_of_science_programs.asp
No state in the US has any educational requirements for working as a veterinary ASSISTANT. This is an entry level-position in a veterinary facility and training is generally done on the job. Because most training is done on the job it is often very cursory and lacks the depth and breadth of a formal education. Veterinary assistants are generally taught the basic how-to but not the why or when you would do something different. They tend to do basic tasks such as animal restraint, basic care and sanitation, assist in patient monitoring, prepare instruments for use in surgeries or daily treatments, they may give medication as prescribed by the veterinarian, collect biological samples and perform basic diagnostic tests like reading fecals. Veterinary assistants are generally not the equivalent of a formally educated veterinary technician.
Yes, these are generic terms for university programs that provide an education in veterinary medicine.
No state in the US has any educational requirements for working as a veterinary ASSISTANT.(This includes an equine vet assistant.) This is an entry level-position in a veterinary facility and training is generally done on the job. Because most training is done on the job it is often very cursory and lacks the depth and breadth of a formal education. Veterinary assistants are generally taught the basic how-to but not the why or when you would do something different. They tend to do basic tasks such as animal restraint, basic care and sanitation, assist in patient monitoring, prepare instruments for use in surgeries or daily treatments, they may give medication as prescribed by the veterinarian, collect biological samples and perform basic diagnostic tests like reading fecals. Veterinary assistants are generally not the equivalent of a formally educated veterinary technician. There are voluntary educational opportunities, however these are not equivalent to a college degree program and are instead basic vocational training. There is no over-sight by a professional body to ensure that the majority of these programs provide adequate or correct information. There is no requirement for hands-on training and instructors often have little or no experience or education in the veterinary field. There are a handful of certification programs that are designed and approved by veterinary professional organizations or that are offered by colleges which also offer accredited veterinary technology programs and these are better choices for someone who wants to be a veterinary assistant. All of these programs offer certification as a veterinary assistant, but this certification is not legally recognized or required by any state in the US. For someone specifically wanting to work with equines, the equine veterinary assistant certificate program offered through the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians would be the best choice for an assistant program. The other position on a veterinary staff that is often confused with a veterinary assistant is a veterinary technician. Veterinary technicians are required (in most states) to have a 2 year degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program, to have passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam and a state exam in order to be credentialed. They are also generally required to attend a set number of continuing education courses each year to keep up with changes in veterinary medicine. Veterinary technicians are educated in veterinary anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, animal husbandry, surgical assisting, anesthesia, medical nursing, diagnostics such as radiology and ultrasonography, clinical pathology, parasitology, medical terminology and record keeping, biological collection and sample handling and preperation, etc. They can also specialize in areas such as emergency and critical care, internal medicine, anesthesia, dentistry, behavior and equine nursing. In many states, the duties that can be performed by a veterinary assistant are limited and a credentialed veterinary technician is a more desirable employee.
They provide money for the program .