From October 13 to 19, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center and veterinary hospitals across the country will celebrate National Veterinary Technician Week. This year’s theme is “Credentialed Veterinary Technicians Change Lives.” It’s meant to highlight the profound impact credentialed veterinary technicians have on the lives of their patients, clients, colleagues and the community, whether this impact is known or unknown. Each state’s veterinary regulations designate the terminology used in licensing a veterinary technician. Here in New York State, we call them Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs). There are also Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs), Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and Licensed Veterinary Medical Technicians (LVMTs). “Credentialed veterinary technician” covers them all.
In this blogpost, I’ll show recognize the life changing role these essential team members play for veterinarians and pet families alike.
Caring Changes Lives
Every year, AMC honors a Technician of the Year. In June of 2024, Stephen Chan of AMC’s Surgery Department was bestowed that honor. Stephen exemplifies “Caring Changes Lives.” He was recognized for his ability to think two steps ahead of the situation. Stephen is known for being a well-rounded technician, able to function in the operating room as well as in the ICU. His can-do attitude and calm energy make him a favorite with everyone at AMC. Most importantly, these attributes contribute our hospital’s ability to change our patients’ lives for the better.
Tech Education Changes Lives
While there is an obvious connection between patient care and saving lives, education also plays a huge role in changing lives. Just like any other medical professional, credentialed veterinary technicians must keep up to date with the latest advancement in medicine. AMC supports technician education through our veterinary technician internship program. This program prepares newly graduated technicians for a career as best-in-class veterinary technicians through classroom and practical training at AMC. Graduates are prepared for any career pathway in the profession, including technician specialization in one of sixteen veterinary technician specialties, ranging from small to large animals and from anesthesia to zoo medicine.
Because education is critical to changing lives, AMC is hosting its second annual technician conference on October 11th as part of our National Veterinary Technician Week. The conference is free for those registered in advance.
Learn More About Credentialed Veterinary Technicians
AMC is unique among veterinary hospitals in that we have a “Chief Veterinary Technician” on our leadership team to represent and advocate for our LVT workforce. Nancy Patsos, LVT, VTS (ECC) is AMC’s current Chief Veterinary Technician. You can listen to a conversation I had with her last year on AMC’s Ask the Vet podcast, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
You can also read a blogpost about our 2022 Veterinary Technician of the Year, Jessica Mejia.
Happy National Veterinary Technician Week from all of us at AMC to all the credentialed veterinary technicians working hard every day to change lives.