Veterinary Technicians
Credentialed
veterinary technicians along with unregistered veterinary
assistants play a vital role in the practice of veterinary
medicine. In the Washington State University, Veterinary
Teaching Hospital (VTH) these individuals work in a specialized
environment in specific service areas within the college.
There are licensed veterinary technicians and unregistered
veterinary assistants working in the following areas of the VTH:
Agricultural Animal
Medicine (food
and fiber
animals)
Anesthesia (all
species)
Cardiology
Clinical
Instructional
Services
(various
instructional
programs)
Community
Practice (small
animal, local
patients)
Comparative
Theriogenology
(reproduction)
Equine Medicine
Equine
Orthopedic
Surgery
Equine Soft
Tissue Surgery
|
Exotics and wildlife
Intensive Care
Unit
Neurology
Oncology
Physical
Rehabilitation
(physical
therapy)
Research
(various
projects)
Small Animal
Internal
Medicine
Small Animal
Orthopedic
Surgery
Small Animal
Soft Tissue
Surgery
|
Along with the veterinarian and other hospital staff, veterinary
technicians make up the veterinary health care team providing
patient care as well as contributing to the education of
veterinary students.
Veterinary technicians must comply with Washington state rules
and regulations that govern veterinary medicine. To become a
licensed veterinary technician in the state of Washington, one
must meet the requirements set forth by the Veterinary Board of
Governors to be eligible to take and pass both the Veterinary
Technician National Examination (VTNE) and the Washington State
Examination for Veterinary Technicians. To maintain credentials
a veterinary technician must complete 30 hours of continuing
education must be completed every 3-years.
Veterinary
technicians may obtain advanced credentials in a specialty or
practice areas. The National Association of Veterinary
Technicians in American (NAVTA) grants Academy status to
organizations which have demonstrated a distinct level of
advanced knowledge and skill.
Academies include:
Anesthesia
Behavior
Emergency/ Critical Care
Equine Nursing
Dentistry
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Zoo Medicine
In addition, some technicians at WSU have obtained advanced
credentials in areas not currently recognized by NAVTA. For
example, one of our WSU veterinary technicians is a certified
canine rehabilitation practitioner and she spends much of her
time working with client animals using the underwater treadmill
and other physical therapies.
Washington State recognizes unregistered
assistants as those persons working in a veterinary practice who
are neither a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary
technician. These individuals are important to the day to day
function of the hospital and help to keep the facility running
smoothly.
Clinical
Internships for Veterinary Technician Students
Duties &
Responsibilities of Veterinary Technicians at WSU
