The Differences Between A Vet Tech And A Vet Assistant

Many people hear the terms veterinary assistant and veterinary technician and assume that they are interchangeable. This is incorrect. The two jobs are quite different, with different responsibilities and pay scales. This is because they require different levels of training and education.

Training and schooling sets up the difference right from the start. Veterinary technicians have much more working knowledge of veterinary techniques. They have graduated from a two-year program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

That's not all. A vet tech is also licensed. You can't get licensed without passing a state board examination. So not only have they graduated from an accredited program, they've demonstrated via licensing exam that they have mastered the material.

Veterinary assistants have a lot less training. Sometimes they have had some training in high school, or have completed a certificate program, but generally they only have on-the-job training from their employers. They don't have any license, nor have they completed an accredited degree program.

This is why veterinary assistants' duties are so much more basic than are the duties of a licensed veterinary technician. Basically, if you are a veterinary assistant you'll be doing a lot of administrative duties like filing and answering the phones, some clean up in the exam rooms and kennels, and very basic animal care tasks like holding animals while they are being examined.

If you are a veterinary technician, however, you'll be doing a lot more of the hands-on medical care of animals. Vet techs administer vaccinations, give x-rays, take and analyze samples, assist during surgeries and so on.

When you compare the two jobs, it should not be surprising that there is a difference in pay. Veterinary technicians earn more and are in higher demand. A veterinary assistant can expect to earn around $9-10 on average per hour. A licensed tech with a few years of experience can bring in $15 per hour or even more.

If you want to work with animals as a long-range career path, you are far better off spending time becoming a veterinary technician. For those who just want perhaps part time or short term employment with little need for schooling, veterinary assistant is the better choice.

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