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A veterinary technician is a nurse (which is why they are referred to as such in the UK and Canada), with a much broader scope of practice than that of human nurses. Licensed veterinary technicians earn a 2 or 4 year degree, often as a second degree, and pass state and national board exams inore to practice Many go on to specialize in Emergency Medicine, Dentistry, Internal Medicine, Equine Medicine, Large Animal Medicine, and numerous other areas. For the average licensed vet tech in a small animal practice, skills used include phlebotomy, IV insertion, urinary catheter insertion, vaccine administration, anesthetic induction/intubation/surgical monitoring and assistance/post surgical recovery, and infection control. Licensed vet techs are also trained to administer oral, injectable, and transdermal medications, apply bandages, take radiographs, perform dental prophylaxes, work in the pharmacy, provide client education, collect and prepare samples for parasitology and hematologic analysis, identify parasites under the microscope, calculate drug dosages and fluid rates, monitor patients in critical care, triage, and provide quality husbandry for hospitalized patients. As a trained and highly skilled nurse, a licensed veterinary technician plays an important role in the healthcare of animals and the protection of the public. They work in the same respect as a human nurse, but at less than half the rate of pay and with little to no recognition from the public. Licensed veterinary technicians are often confused with unlicensed veterinary assistants, and the fact that many small clinics make do with unlicensed and on the job trained personnel only contributes to the confusion and lack of respect from both veterinarians an the public in general. Still, their role as nurses makes them an asset to any practice and the community in general, as healthcare providers, educators, and advocates for all animals.

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10y ago

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