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Veterinary Team/Career Track Comparisons

Pre-Vet Students

Veterinary Technician

CAREER CATEGORY

Veterinary Assistant

Veterinarian

Veterinary Technologists

Technician in technical vet.med. skills

Technologist in veterinary science

Diagnostician and surgeon

Generalist in animal care

Student - career preparation

Definition

Diagnoses diseases, Prognoses outcomes, Prescribes treatment, Performs surgery

Performs wide range of technical nursing and laboratory tasks

Plans and executes projects Supervises/ teaches

Performs minor technical tasks, general animal care

Gaining admittance to veterinary school

Focus

Two year (63-81) credit hrs.(min.)

Advanced areas of veterinary technology and science

Basic science and animal nursing courses

Veterinary medicine and surgery

High school, correspondence courses

Education

BS Degree (optional) in second year career choice after four years

BS Degree, veterinary technology major

Associate of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology

On-the-job trained; no degree

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine(DVM)

Degree

Four-year Veterinary Medical School

Two-year AVMA accredited program

Four-year program, 128 credits required

None required

Two to four years

College

Veterinary Practitioner, Research Scientist, Public Health Officer, Industrial Veterinarian, Veterinary Educator, Military Veterinarian

Clinical Specialist, Working Supervisor, Practice Manager, Teaching Technologist, Sales Representative, Animal Housing Director

Undergraduate student usually in Agriculture or Science (can be any other major); Veterinary assistant in summers

Nurse, Anesthetist, Surgical/ORT Tech, Radiographic Tech, Dental Hygienist, Medical Lab Tech

Animal Caretaker, Technicians Assistant, Veterinarian's Assistant, Orderly, Animal Attendant, Animal Care Assistant

Possible Roles

Licensed Veterinarian by (SBVME)

None by SBVME; specialty certification optional

Certified or licensed by (SBVME)

Certification/ Licensure

None

None

No program

Class Size

30/class

No limit/class

60/class

30-40/class

Lifetime career as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Career as technologist, supervisor, teacher, or manager on veterinary team

Enter one of 27 veterinary medical schools

Enter technician or pre-vet program

Lifetime career as RVT on veterinary team

Career Pathway