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Emergency veterinarian vs veterinary technician assistant

The differences between emergency veterinarians and veterinary technician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an emergency veterinarian, becoming a veterinary technician assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an emergency veterinarian has an average salary of $94,518, which is higher than the $39,025 average annual salary of a veterinary technician assistant.

The top three skills for an emergency veterinarian include PET, patients and emergency medicine. The most important skills for a veterinary technician assistant are patients, PET, and patient care.

Emergency veterinarian vs veterinary technician assistant overview

Emergency VeterinarianVeterinary Technician Assistant
Yearly salary$94,518$39,025
Hourly rate$45.44$18.76
Growth rate19%20%
Number of jobs34,93135,338
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age4432
Years of experience212

What does an emergency veterinarian do?

An emergency veterinarian is responsible for providing quality care services for animals at veterinary clinics and hospitals. Emergency veterinarians diagnose the animal's condition and administer treatment plans and medications. They also coordinate with other veterinarians to claim the animal's initial medical records and history. An emergency veterinarian performs immediate surgery as needed and ensure the stability of the animals' vital signs, requiring them to have extensive knowledge of animal care of various species or area of interest.

What does a veterinary technician assistant do?

A veterinary technician assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a veterinary hospital or clinic. Their responsibilities include administering medication to animals in adherence to the veterinarian's directives and performing basic care tasks such as feeding, bathing, and walking animals. They may also clean cages, sterilize equipment, prepare and process documents, and answer calls and inquiries. Furthermore, as a veterinary technician assistant, it is essential to monitor the behavior of animals, reporting to the veterinarian or technician should there be any problems.

Emergency veterinarian vs veterinary technician assistant salary

Emergency veterinarians and veterinary technician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Emergency VeterinarianVeterinary Technician Assistant
Average salary$94,518$39,025
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $188,000Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYBakersfield, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyNational Veterinary AssociatesUniversity of Wisconsin System
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between emergency veterinarian and veterinary technician assistant education

There are a few differences between an emergency veterinarian and a veterinary technician assistant in terms of educational background:

Emergency VeterinarianVeterinary Technician Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorVeterinary MedicineMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaOhio State University

Emergency veterinarian vs veterinary technician assistant demographics

Here are the differences between emergency veterinarians' and veterinary technician assistants' demographics:

Emergency VeterinarianVeterinary Technician Assistant
Average age4432
Gender ratioMale, 26.4% Female, 73.6%Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 5.9% Asian, 4.7% White, 83.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%9%

Differences between emergency veterinarian and veterinary technician assistant duties and responsibilities

Emergency veterinarian example responsibilities.

  • Receive emergency and referral cases, manage hospitalized surgical and internal medicine patients, and collaborate with general practitioners and specialists.
  • Train local first responders on the basics of pet CPR.
  • Examine, diagnose and treat a variety of ailments on pet animals, ranging from rabbits to reptiles.
  • Provide minor wind care including local anesthesia and suturing.
  • Monitor in-hospital patients and work with specialists to maintain patients' health post-procedure or during ongoing hospitalization.
  • Receive emergency and referral cases, manage hospitalized surgical and internal medicine patients, and collaborate with general practitioners and specialists.
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Veterinary technician assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage tech appointments, suture removal, bandage removal and placement, CPR and emergency care when need.
  • Prepare patients for surgical procedures by executing blood draws and catheter placement.
  • Provide compassion and understanding to clients with end of life decisions and euthanasia.
  • Kennel work, vet assistance with surgeries, iv fluids, med dispensing and restraining animals
  • Assist Dr. and RVT's with collecting patient histories, obtaining TPR, and restraining patients.
  • General practice, assisting DVM with literally everything in a small one doctor, one technician practice.
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Emergency veterinarian vs veterinary technician assistant skills

Common emergency veterinarian skills
  • PET, 35%
  • Patients, 26%
  • Emergency Medicine, 15%
  • DVM, 6%
  • Soft Tissue, 4%
  • Emergency Care, 3%
Common veterinary technician assistant skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • PET, 17%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Anesthesia, 5%
  • Catheter, 5%
  • Lab Tests, 4%

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