State of the Vet Tech profession, Fall2011

2. Background Demographics

4. • Your classmates have a lot of training:
• 1 Pharm.D (pharmacist)
• 2 Masters degrees
• 11 Bachelor’s degrees (1 in Sociology, 1 in
Biochemistry)
• 3 Associate's degrees ( 1 in Social/Behavioral Science)
• 1 pharmacy technician
• 1 dental assistant

5. Those students who are working are working anywhere from
4 hours to 43 hours per week, with most working part-time
(~20-25h/week).

9. • Most students answered all questions…but some of you
skipped some questions…
• Important for future assignments:
• DO NOT SKIP QUESTIONS OR GIVE AN
INCOMPLETE ANSWER, IT GIVES THE
APPEARANCE THAT YOU DID NOT PAY
ATTENTION.
• IF YOU DON’T KNOW…WRITE, “I DON’T KNOW”.

11. What is the definition of a
professional?

12. • A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long
and intensive academic preparation.
• A principal calling, vocation, or employment
Middle English professioun, from
Anglo- French profession, from Late
Latin & Latin; Late Latin profession-,
professio, from Latin, public declaration,
from profitēri
First Known Use: 13th century

13. • Infancy in the 60’s (first vet tech teaching program)
• Developmental stages in the 70’s
• Dynamically changing in the 80’s
• Maturing in the 90’s
• Increasing in responsibility and status in the new century!

15. • In California – called an unregistered assistant
• Some training, knowledge and skill, but has not
completed formal education or become licensed.
• Similar to a nurses aid –
a better title would be “Technician’s Assistant”

16. • A graduate of a two or three year AVMA-accredited
program, and who has passed a state and or national
licensing exam.
• Similar to a registered nurse.

17. • One who is a graduate of a 4 year AVMA approved
college with a bachelor’s degree.
• Often combines management duties with technician
duties.
• Similar to a physicians assistant, except California
Practice Act requires more direct supervision than for a
PA.

19. • Lab technician • Phlebotomist
• Radiology tech • Dental hygienist
• Nurse • Medical records tech
• Emergency tech • Pharmacy tech
• Anesthetist • Behaviorist
• Surgical assistant • Office manager
• Psychologist/Counsel
or

20. • 1. Induce Anesthesia
• 2. Perform Dental Extractions
• 3. Suture existing skin incisions
• 4. Apply casts and splints
• 5. Create a relief hole in the skin to facilitate placement
of I.V. catheter
• Emergency and sub categories are also in the California
Practice Act.

21. • 1. Diagnose
• 2. Prognose
• 3. Prescribe
• 4. Perform Surgery

23. • 172 Accredited vet tech programs (14 in CA)
• FEWER THEN 3,800 graduates expected each year – not enough
to meet anticipated demand
• 21 programs that offer 4 year degrees (1 in CA)
• ~500 graduates per year expected
• 9 programs offer distance learning
• Licensing requirements vary by state. ~32 states
currently have licensing requirements. (Source: AVMA)
• May be certified, licensed or registered.
• Alternate route qualifications in some states, including
California.

24. Average rate of attrition (drop outs)
• First year students 27.1%
• Second year students 12.2%
• Total of 39% during schooling
• MUCH LOWER AT CRC!!

25. • One RVT for every 8 veterinarians
• 2.4 Support staff for every veterinarian
• RVTs are 95% female
• Average age is 38 years
• Approximately 80,000 technicians currently work in the
U.S.
• That number is expected to grow by 36% by 2018 to
108,000.
Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 http://www.bls.gov
http://www.navta.net/files/Demographic_Survey_Results_2008.pdf

26. Employment Employment Mean hourly Mean annual
Wage RSE (3)
(1) RSE (3) wage wage (2)
79,870 2.2 % $14.92 $31,030 0.6 %
50%
Percentile 10% 25% 75% 90%
(Median)
Hourly
$9.85 $11.77 $14.28 $17.45 $21.17
Wage
Annual
$20,500 $24,480 $29,710 $36,300 $44,030
Wage (2)

27. Industries with the highest levels of
employment in this occupation:
Percent of
Hourly Annual
Employment industry
Industry mean mean
(1) employme
wage wage (2)
nt
Other Professional,
Scientific, and Technical 73,330 12.66 $14.64 $30,450
Services
Colleges, Universities, and
2,270 0.08 $17.95 $37,330
Professional Schools
Scientific Research and
1,230 0.20 $18.12 $37,700
Development Services
Social Advocacy
980 0.52 $15.24 $31,700
Organizations
Federal Executive Branch
630 0.03 $23.28 $48,430
(OES Designation)

28. Percent of
Hourly Annual
Employme industry
Industry mean mean
nt (1) employme
wage wage (2)
nt
Federal Executive
Branch (OES 630 0.03 $23.28 $48,430
Designation)
State Government (OES
90 (7) $22.62 $47,060
Designation)
Pharmaceutical and
130 0.05 $20.66 $42,980
Medicine Manufacturing
General Medical and
60 (7) $20.50 $42,630
Surgical Hospitals
Medical and Diagnostic
100 0.04 $19.69 $40,960
Laboratories

29. Employment
Location Hourly Annual
Employme per
State quotient mean mean
nt (1) thousand
(9) wage wage (2)
jobs
California 9,210 0.66 1.05 $16.97 $35,300
Texas 6,760 0.67 1.07 $13.45 $27,980
Florida 6,170 0.87 1.38 $14.25 $29,650
New York 4,190 0.50 0.80 $17.57 $36,540
Pennsylvania 3,280 0.60 0.95 $15.37 $31,980

32. Employme
Location Hourly Annual
Employment nt per
State quotient mean mean
(1) thousand
(9) wage wage (2)
jobs
Connecticut 1,130 0.71 1.13 $17.64 $36,680
New York 4,190 0.50 0.80 $17.57 $36,540
Alaska 200 0.63 1.01 $17.22 $35,810
California 9,210 0.66 1.05 $16.97 $35,300
Massachusetts 3,180 1.02 1.63 $16.92 $35,190

33. Employme
Location Hourly Annual
Employmen nt per
Metropolitan area quotient mean mean
t (1) thousand
(9) wage wage (2)
jobs
Sacramento--
Arden-Arcade-- 750 0.91 1.45 $21.43 $44,580
Roseville, CA
Waterbury, CT (8) (8) (8) $20.17 $41,960
Hartford-West
Hartford-East 390 0.71 1.13 $20.07 $41,740
Hartford, CT
San Jose-
Sunnyvale-Santa (8) (8) (8) $19.85 $41,290
Clara, CA
San Francisco-San
Mateo-Redwood
City, CA 700 0.73 1.17 $19.35 $40,250
Metropolitan

35. There is a leak in the bucket! Reasons are varied and not
generally tied to $$$$$$$

36. • Low pay
New grads – annual salary $12,000 to 40,000.
Experienced – 14,500 to 81,000.
Average is $32,000 (NAVTA members)

37. • Lack of Recognition
Not considered a “professional” – just another
employee. Practice can train the high school kid to do
this!

38. • Under-utilization
This is a management problem – doctors doing tech work
instead of doctor tasks

40. • 85% of new grads work in small animal practices at the
start of their career
• 77% in Veterinary practices
52% in companion animal practice
13% in mixed practice
9% in equine
3% in food animal

41. • 4% Diagnostic and Research labs
• 2% Industry/sales
• 4% Tech education programs
• 9% government
• 4% Misc. (zoos, wildlife Organizations, Humane
societies, shelters)

42. TASK PERCENT OF WORKDAY
• Laboratory • 11.8
• Radiology • 7.8
• Surgical assisting • 9.6
• Animal Nursing • 17.0
• Staff supervision • 7.9
• Anesthesia • 12.6

43. Task PERCENT OF WORKDAY
• Inventory/ordering 6.3
• Product sales 3.6
• Client Communication 12.0
• Teaching 9.0
• Research 2.4

45. • Societies: Group of special interests – any interested
individuals can join
• Academy: Restricted to graduate, credentialed
technicians. Requires formal process of education,
training, experience and testing to qualify…then you can
be a specialist.
• NAVTA – North American Veterinary Technician
Association

46. •
The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians- gives the technicians the opportunity to expand their knowledge and their
professional value by becoming a credentialed specialist in the field of animal dentistry.
• The Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists- promotes patient safety, consumer protection, professionalism and
excellence in anesthesia care. The Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anesthesia is there to provide your pet with exceptional
care before, during and after a procedure.
• The Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians- a group of technicians from varied backgrounds who have
come together to realize the formation of a new specialty organization specifically for veterinary technicians working in Internal
Medicine. Sub-specialties include: small animal medicine, large animal medicine, cardiology, oncology and neurology.
• The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians- has a goal of certifying Veterinary Technicians is to
assure the veterinary profession and the public that AVECCT certified technicians possess the knowledge and experience
needed to work effectively in a well equipped and staffed emergency or critical care facility.
• The Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians- promotes excellence in the discipline of veterinary behavior
medicine. Veterinary Technician Specialists with behavior certification will demonstrate superior knowledge in scientifically -
and humanely - based techniques of behavior health, problem prevention, training, management, and behavior
modification. The AVBT will advance the skills of veterinary technicians within the discipline of animal behavior and further their
recognition as critical components of the veterinary behavior team in creating, maintaining, and strengthening the human-
animal bond.
• The Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians- created specifically for veterinary technicians working in
zoological medicine. The AVZMT offers the opportunity for zoo technicians to demonstrate excellence in the field.
• The Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians - created to meet the needs of the equine veterinary
community. Contacts: Amy Butzier, BS, MEd, CVT - abutzier@mountida.edu; Deb Reeder, RVT - dbreeder@gmail.com
• The Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians - encourages experienced surgical technicians to enhance their education
and training by pursuing a surgical specialty. AVST will provide a standardized route through which technicians may qualify for
a national examination to become a VTS (Surgery). Contacts: Teri Raffel, CVT - raffelteri@gmail.com; Heidi Reuss-Lamky,
LVT, VTS (Anesthesia) - frzbdogmom@aol.com.
• The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice - modeled after the American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners, this academy has developed three initial species-specific categories: canine/feline, avian/exotic and production
animal. The academy's credentialed veterinary technicians provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Candidates are
expected to demonstrate expertise in a range of clinical disciplines within their species specialty. Contact: Liza Rudolph, LVT,
CVT -lwrlvt@aol.com
• The Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians – created to develop and support the area of veterinary nutrition, develop
the knowledge and expertise of veterinary technicians to become certified in the field of nutrition and endorse technicians as a

47. • Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians- enriches human
animal interactions by promoting scientifically based techniques of
training, management, and behavior modification. SVBT provides a
forum for discussion and continuing education while working with
allied professional organizations to strengthen the veterinary health
care profession.
• The American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians- a
professional Association for equine veterinary technicians, assistants
and practice managers, as well as other support staff. Their mission
is to promote the health and welfare of the horse through the
education and professional enrichment of the equine veterinary
technician and assistant.
• Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians- dedicated to all
aspects of quality veterinary technical care in the field of zoo animal
medicine.
• Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society - provides a
forum for collaboration of all individuals interested and involved with
veterinary emergency and critical care medicine and surgery. Their
mission is to promote the advancement of knowledge and high
standards of practice in veterinary emergency medicine and critical

48. • Currently there are 10 recognized specialties
• Each sets its own standards for qualifications,
credentialing and examination.
• Upon completing the requirements for one of the
specialties, you can add the initials VTS – standing for
Veterinary Technician Specialist – to your title of RVT.

49. • Dental Technician AVDT
• Anesthetist Technician AVTA
• Emergency and Critical Care Technician AVECCT
• Behavior Technician SVBTV
• Zoological Medicine Technician AZVT
• Equine Veterinary Nursing Technician AAENVT
• Surgical Technician AVST
• Veterinary Nutrition Technician AVNT

50. • Internal Medicine AIMVT
5 Sub categories in Internal Medicine
• Small Animal Medicine
• Large Animal Medicine
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology
• Technicians in Clinical Practice AVTCP
3 subcategories in Clinical Practice
• Canine/Feline
• Avian/Exotic
• Production Animal

51. • Laboratory Animal Technician AALAS
• Certified Veterinary Practice Manager CVPM
• There are a number of associations and societies
available for areas you may be interested in.
• Locally, check out the Sacramento Valley Veterinary
Medical Association website at SVVMA.net, or
Veterinary Support Personnel Network at VSPN.org

53. Calif. board establishes CE requirements
for veterinary technicians
Aug 1, 2011
DVM
NEWSMAGAZI
NE
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The California Veterinary Medical Board has
issued a new rule, spelling out continuing education requirements for
veterinary technicians. Registered veterinary technicians in California must
now complete 20 hours of CE in the two years prior to applying for renewal of
their state license. The new rule places a four-hour limit on self-study
programs.
The veterinary board also adopted a new rule requiring all veterinarian and
veterinary technicians to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice for a
criminal offender record information search. All veterinary licensees must now
disclose any disciplinary actions before renewal, and criminal history
information must be reported to the board within 30 days.

54. • Veterinary Technology is rapidly expanding, with ever
increasing opportunities.
• Where do you want to go with your certification???

56. Introduction Every veterinary technician has the obligation to
uphold the trust invested in the profession by adhering to the
profession's Code of Ethics. A code of ethics is an essential
characteristic of a profession and serves three main functions:
1. A code communicates to the public and to the members of the
profession the ideals of the profession. 2. A code is a general
guide for professional ethical conduct. 3. A code of ethics
provides standards of acceptable conduct that allow the
profession to implement disciplinary procedures against those
who fall below the standards.
No code can provide the answer to every ethical question faced
by members of the profession. They shall continue to bear
responsibility for reasoned and conscientious interpretation and
application of the basic ethical principles embodied in the Code
to individual cases.
Ethical standards are never less than those required by law;

57. Preamble The Code of Ethics is based on the supposition
that the honor and dignity of the profession of veterinary
technology lies in a just and reasonable code of ethics.
Veterinary technicians promote and maintain good health in
animals; care for diseased and injured animals; and assist
in the control of diseases transmissible from animals to
human. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to provide
guidance to the veterinary technician for carrying out
professional responsibilities so as to meet the ethical
obligations of the profession.

58. • Veterinary technicians shall aid society and animals by
providing excellent care and services for animals.
• Veterinary technicians shall prevent and relieve the suffering of
animals with competence and compassion.
• Veterinary technicians shall remain competent through
commitment to life-long learning.
• Veterinary technicians shall promote public health by assisting
with the control of zoonotic diseases and educating the public
about these diseases.
• Veterinary technicians shall collaborate with other members of
the veterinary medical profession in efforts to ensure quality
health care services for all animals.
• Veterinary technicians shall protect confidential information
provided by clients, unless required by law or to protect public
health.

59. • Veterinary technicians shall assume accountability for
individual professional actions and judgments.
• Veterinary technicians shall safeguard the public and the
profession against individuals deficient in professional
competence or ethics.
• Veterinary technicians shall assist with efforts to ensure
conditions of employment consistent with the excellent care for
animals.
• Veterinary technicians shall uphold the laws/regulations that
apply to the technician's responsibilities as a member of the
animal health care team.
• Veterinary technicians shall represent their credentials or
identify themselves with specialty organizations only if the
designation has been awarded or earned.

60. Ideals In addition to adhering to the standards listed in the Code
of Ethics, veterinary technicians must also strive to attain a
number of ideals. Some of these are:
• Veterinary technicians shall strive to participate in defining,
upholding, and improving standards of professional practice,
legislation, and education.
• Veterinary technicians shall strive to contribute to the
profession's body of knowledge.
• Veterinary technicians shall strive to understand, support, and
promote the human-animal bond.
This Code has been developed by the NAVTA Ethics Committee. No part of it may be
reproduced without the written permission of NAVTA. Copyright 2007 NAVTA, Inc. All rights
reserved. www.navta.net