The field of veterinary medicine offers boundless opportunities for registered veterinary technicians, and is a profession in high demand across Canada.
If you’re a pet parent, you can relate: over the holidays, distracted by guests, somehow you missed George surfing the counter and finding a box of chocolates; while you were busy on a Zoom call with work, Sawyer found the laundry bin and ate a sock or two; or Frankie the cat opened the patio door and snuck outside, returning home with a nasty cough. There’s no end to the mischief our four-legged family members get into, and these episodes usually end with one driving to the emergency veterinary hospital at 11:45 p.m., praying the evening doesn’t end in tragedy.
Essential members of care teams
Registered veterinary technicians/technologists (RVTs) are often one of our first points of contact when visiting the animal hospital, whether it’s for an emergency or a simple bi-annual wellness exam. Usually, it’s the RVTs who tussle with our canines as they try to avoid their weigh-ins, cradle our rescue kittens when they visit the clinic for their first shots, and comfort our fur babies as they awaken from surgery. How common it is, too, that RVTs hold our hands and share moments of empathy and kindness with us as we say goodbye to a precious old friend, lighting a memory candle for them in the waiting room. RVTs are essential members of our animal health care teams.
Training for a career as an RVT includes two to three years of post-secondary education followed by the Veterinary Technician National Exam, and additional requirements as set by provincial regulators
Not only are they caring and kind, RVTs are knowledgeable and skilled veterinary professionals. Training for a career as an RVT includes two to three years of post-secondary education followed by the Veterinary Technician National Exam, and additional requirements as set by provincial RVT associations.
A rewarding career choice
RVTs work at clinics and hospitals, animal sanctuaries and zoos, humane societies, and specialized treatment centres, and provide in-home care services as well. RVTs can also pursue specialties in the field, like dentistry, anesthesia and analgesia, physical rehabilitation, and diagnostic imaging. Demand for the profession is great due to a nationwide workforce shortage in Canada and increased adoptions of companion animals over the last three years.
Canada’s national leader for the profession, the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC), is mandated with advancing and strengthening the profession. The RVTTC works with seven provincial associations across Canada and veterinary partners like the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association to serve as a resource on national and international issues within the global veterinary community. For those considering a career as an RVT, the RVTTC created the RVT Career Navigator. No other source in Canada provides this comprehensive knowledge base and wealth of information and connection to the veterinary technology profession.
We invite you to explore the RVT Career Navigator™ to learn more about the RVTs who are caring for your furry family members, and maybe even to inspire you to consider this rewarding profession with limitless opportunities.
