10/18/2024
As we wrap up our Staff Appreciation Week, we want to recognize our RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician), Cristina. She is our pharmacy technician and she is amazing!
Here’s a little bit about her in her own words.
“My name is Cristina and I have been an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) for 9 years. I first discovered this profession when I was 15 years old, watching Emergency Vets on Animal Planet. I immediately knew this was the career I wanted to pursue. I graduated from Heritage College - Oklahoma City in 2015 with an AAS in Veterinary Technologies. Since then, I have had the pleasure of working in a variety of veterinary clinics, focusing mostly on small animal practices. I landed at Britton Road Veterinary Clinic in November 2021, where they recruited me to be their first-ever pharmacy technician! This position has allowed me to apply my love of the science behind veterinary medicine.
What is an RVT?
An RVT (or LVT, or CVT, depending on which state you’re in) is a veterinary professional who has obtained at least an associate’s degree in applied sciences. Some of the coursework for this degree includes anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, math, medical terminology, and animal behavior, as well as hands-on work with the animals themselves. An RVT has taken and successfully passed both the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) and the Oklahoma State Board Exam for Veterinary Technicians. Upon completion of an associate’s degree, as well as passing the aforementioned tests, an individual is able to become a licensed veterinary technician! In order to maintain that license, an RVT must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education per year. An RVT can also go on to pursue specialties in fields such as Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacology, and many other disciplines.
What does an RVT do?
Glad you asked! An RVT is a jack of all trades and often described as the veterinarian’s right-hand person. Similar to an RN in human medicine, RVTs provide most of the care for hospitalized and incoming patients. Beyond this, an RVT’s daily duties consist of restraining animals for procedures, drawing blood samples (yes, even on not-so-happy patients), analyzing said blood samples, taking radiographs, taking and analyzing urine and stool samples, giving vaccines, performing dental cleanings, assisting in surgeries and anesthesia, and even suturing superficial wounds! In addition to all these things listed, RVTs also (happily) provide education for pet owners and can even be a shoulder to lean on during emotional times for both owners and their pets.”
