Introduction to Veterinary Technology – Key Vocabulary

Veterinary care relies on a multidisciplinary team: veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, specialty technicians, veterinary assistants, kennel aides, client-service staff, and practice managers.
Effective teamwork, communication, organization, and calm crisis response are critical.

Veterinarians: 4-year undergraduate degree + 4-year AVMA-accredited DVM program; must pass NAVLE and any state exam.
Veterinary Technicians (VT): graduate of AVMA CVTEA-accredited 2-year program ➔ pass VTNE (and state exam) ➔ credentialed as LVT/RVT/CVT depending on state.
Veterinary Technologists: AVMA CVTEA-accredited 4-year bachelor program + board exams.
Veterinary Assistants: on-the-job training or NA VTA-approved programs ➔ AVA certification.
Continuing Education (CE) mandated for license maintenance (requirements vary by state).

State Veterinary Practice Act: defines roles, licensure, facility standards, CE, and permissible tasks.
Veterinary Medical Board: enforces state act; hears complaints.
DEA: enforces Controlled Substances Act (DEA license, double-lock storage, 2-year inventory, 5-year records).
OSHA (U.S. Dept. of Labor): workplace safety, PPE, injury logs.
FDA – Center for Veterinary Medicine: regulates animal drugs & devices.
USDA (APHIS & FSIS): oversees animal import/export, food safety; DVMs need USDA accreditation for health certificates.
EPA: controls environmental/pesticide impact.
Animal Welfare Act: sets research/educational animal care standards.

Small-Animal Practice: focuses on dogs/cats; may include exotics; often largest employer of VTs.
Large-Animal Practice: mobile services for farm species; herd health & production focus.
Mixed-Animal Practice: treats both large and small species.
Referral/Specialty Practice: board-certified DVMs in areas such as oncology, dentistry, ECC, etc.
Mobile & Corporate clinics (e.g., inside retail stores) also common.

AAHA: voluntary, stringent standards for companion-animal hospitals (gold standard).
AAALAC International: voluntary accreditation for laboratory-animal research facilities.

Veterinarian: legally the only member who may diagnose, prescribe, and perform surgery.
Veterinary Technician: conducts exams, anesthesia, lab work, radiology, dentistry, nursing, client education under DVM supervision.
Veterinary Assistant: aids VT/DVM; restraint, basic husbandry, pharmacy prep, reception, sample handling.
Kennel Aide: animal husbandry, cleaning, patient observation.
Receptionist/Client Care: first & last client contact; appointments, payments, communication.
Practice Manager: HR, inventory, finances, compliance, marketing.

Compassion, empathy, grief counseling ability.
Strong communication & client-education skills.
Organizational, time-management, and crisis-management abilities.
Physical stamina; readiness for irregular hours, holidays, and exposure to odors, fluids, bites/scratches.

Passion for animal care must pair with people skills and regulatory knowledge.
Know the three exclusive DVM tasks: diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery.
Understand credentialing pathways and state variability.
Compliance with federal/state laws and optional accreditations ensures high-quality, ethical veterinary practice.