As for veterinary medicine, many of the job titles don’t clearly indicate their assigned tasks. The main job title is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), who completes three to four years of undergraduate studies and then an additional four years of postgraduate study at an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-approved school of veterinary medicine. DVMs in Texas also must pass a national and state examination to become a licensed veterinarian in the state. To maintain an active Texas license to practice veterinary medicine, a DVM also must obtain 17 hours of continuing education (CE) every year.
The Difference Between Hospital Personnel
Aside from veterinarians, there are four main titles of the people who are usually involved in the hands-on care of your pet or livestock. According to the practice act in the state of Texas, those four titles are Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA), Equine Dental Provider (EDP) and Veterinary Assistant. Most practices refer to all hospital personnel as “technicians,” which implies the technical expertise of accredited veterinary personnel. Many of those skills include drawing blood, placing intravenous catheters, monitoring anesthesia, taking X-rays and filling medications, but each title has a similar role to the human medical field, as they clean and medicate wounds, care for animals in surgery, handle and hold animals, provide support for clients, explain disease processes and teach clients how to administer treatments and medications at home. However, there is a difference between the four titles and the rules that apply to each one.