Credentialed veterinary technicians and technologists have a formal education in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and other relevant subjects.  Having this knowledge enables them to assume greater responsibilities.  Tasks that may have been previously left for the veterinarian to complete can now be delegated to credentialed veterinary technicians, freeing up time for the veterinarian(s) to treat more patients than before.  The ability to see more patients generates more profit.  An article by Veterinary Business Advisors, Inc. recommends delegating low profit procedures or time consuming tasks to credentialed veterinary technicians.²  Credentialed technicians can complete tasks including laboratory work (blood panels, urinalysis, fecal analysis), patient treatments, anesthesia, and dental prophylaxis to name a few.  This increases clinic efficiency, therefore generating more revenue.  The same concept applies to utilizing veterinary assistants instead of credentialed veterinary technicians to clean kennels, maintain equipment, and provide basic husbandry for boarding or hospitalized patients.  The ideal veterinary clinic functions with all members of the veterinary team performing tasks that are relevant to their level of education and training which overall increases clinic efficiency and client satisfaction. 

Credentialed veterinary technicians are a very versatile resource for veterinary practices across the nation.  For a full list of essential skills taught to our students through our AVMA accredited program, please visit the CVTEA Accreditation Policies and Procedures – Appendix H.

You can’t afford not to.  Each credentialed veterinary technician hired, as stated in the JAVMA article¹, has the potential to increase a practice’s gross revenue $93,311.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary technicians are paid a median wage of $32,490 per year.³  That is still an additional $60,821 worth of potential gross revenue.  Noncredentialed technicians did not increase gross practice revenue, but will still cost a median wage of $25,250 per year.⁴

The following information applies to the State of Texas.

Let’s start with a few definitions from the Texas Veterinary Licensing Act.⁵

The following table is a comparison of responsibilities and supervision levels of Licensed Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants from the Texas Veterinary Licensing Act, §801.364 Scope of Practice of Licensed Veterinary Technicians, Certified Veterinary Assistants, and Veterinary Assistants.⁵

* Texas Veterinary Licensing Act, §801.364 Subsection (b)5 states “A licensed veterinary technician who is immediately supervising a task performed by a certified veterinary assistant or veterinary assistant is responsible for conduct that violates laws, including board rules, related to the practice of veterinary medicine.”

Delegating certain tasks to licensed veterinary technicians, including supervision of noncredentialed personnel, allows a veterinarian to be more productive (thus generating more revenue).  For example, in the state of Texas, a noncredentialed technician/veterinary assistant inducing anesthesia requires a veterinarian to be within audible and visual range of both the patient and the team member.  This significantly decreases the efficiency of the veterinary team and limits what a veterinarian can accomplish within that time frame.  The utilization of a licensed veterinary technician would free up the veterinarian to complete tasks exclusive to that position anywhere on the premises.

The other benefit to utilizing licensed veterinary technicians over noncredentialed technicians/veterinary assistants for certain tasks is their ability to analyze a situation and intervene appropriately based on their education.  Understanding anatomy, physiology, and disease processes also allows licensed veterinary technicians to communicate more effectively with clients when discussing treatment options.

1. Fanning J. & Shepherd A.J., 2010, Contribution of veterinary technicians to veterinary business revenue, 2007, JAVMA, Vol 236, No. 8, on the Internet at http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdf/10.2460/javma.236.8.846
2. Veterinary Business Advisors, 2013, Utilizing an Underused Resource: Veterinary Technicians.
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited June 07, 2017)
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers.htm (visited June 07, 2017).
5. Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 2013, Veterinary Licensing Act, Title 4, Professions Related to Animal Health, Chapter 801, Veterinarians Occupations Code, on the Internet at https://www.veterinary.texas.gov/documents/vetact/VLA_2013.pdf