How A Veterinary Technician Is Different From A Vet Assistant

Many people hear the terms veterinary assistant and veterinary technician and assume that they are interchangeable. This is incorrect. The two jobs are quite different, with different responsibilities and pay scales. This is because they require different levels of training and education.

If we look at the root of all of these differences, we need to start with training and schooling. If you know someone who is a veterinary technician, this person has graduated from a two-year program of study. More importantly, the program is standardized, and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. All veterinary techs have a strong skill set they have learned.

That’s not all. After they successfully complete and graduate from the two year program, they take an examination. It’s a state board examination, which they have to pass in order to be licensed as veterinary technicians in their state.

Veterinary assistants don’t face these same professional hurdles. There’s no two-year Associate’s degree program. Some veterinary assistants may have certificates, or some training in high school, but most simply learn on the job at an animal clinic.

This is why veterinary assistants’ duties are so much more basic than are the duties of a licensed veterinary technician. Basically, if you are a veterinary assistant you’ll be doing a lot of administrative duties like filing and answering the phones, some clean up in the exam rooms and kennels, and very basic animal care tasks like holding animals while they are being examined.

If you are a veterinary technician, however, you’ll be doing a lot more of the hands-on medical care of animals. Vet techs administer vaccinations, give x-rays, take and analyze samples, assist during surgeries and so on.

You have probably correctly surmised that the two positions don’t have the same pay scale. Vet technicians make a good bit more money and have better job prospects. They can earn $15 or more per hour with a few years experience, whereas your average vet assistant only earns around $9-10 per hour.

If you love animals and are looking at your career options, it’s far better to become a veterinary technician. If on the other hand you just want an everyday job that doesn’t require schooling, veterinary assistant is your best choice.

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