CAREER CHOICES
- WORKING IN THE ANIMAL HEALTH FIELD

Animal Health Technologist / Technician or Veterinary Technologist / Technician: vital members of the professional animal health care team

Technicians play a very significant role in animal health care. They work in a variety of areas within the field of veterinary medicine. High quality technical skills enable the technician to deliver humane, quality care to animals. (National Occupation Classification HRDC #3213)

AHT/RVT/VT’s responsibilities may involve;

• emergency and intensive animal nursing
• diagnostic procedures (laboratory)
• prepare and administer medications
• sterile prep & assist surgical procedures
• diagnostic imaging, radiographs/ultrasound
• administer and monitor various anesthetics
• dental prophylaxis
• wound and bandage care
• business management, administration
• physiotherapy/ hydrotherapy
• public education, client relations
• nutrition management
• charting of medical records

AHT/RVT/VT’s employment opportunities;

• private veterinary practice
• zoos, wildlife rehabilitation
• self employed/animal training, pet sitting
• animal behaviorist
• biomedical research, laboratories
• animal shelters, humane societies, military
• industry sales representatives
• teaching hospitals, college institutions
• production farms (cattle feedlots, swine barns)
• meat inspection

Academic programs available across Canada are designed to meet the specific requirements of an AHT/RVT/VT. The Canadian Association of Animal Health Technicians and Technologists (CAAHTT), maintains a list of colleges within Canada that offer courses that are a 2 or 3 year diploma program. Further information about a program may be obtained directly from the college. The addresses are listed on the CAAHTT website along with important links to assist your career investigation.

Professionally trained AHT/RVT/VT’s provide the quality animal health care that is expected, especially in today’s growing companion animal population. Employment outlook for graduates of AHT/RVT/VT programs continues to be very bright. In fact, there is a shortage of technicians for available jobs in some areas.

  2008-10-08