Celebrating Veterinary Technician Careers
Once a year, the veterinary industry celebrates “Veterinary Technician Week,” but they are an essential group of professionals who should be celebrated year-round.
At UC Davis, veterinary technicians and assistants play a critical role in the school’s ability to provide the best learning environment for students, exceptional compassionate care for patients, and a thoughtful caring experience for clients. They are vital to the success of the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
Nearly 400 technicians care for more than 50,000 patients a year at UC Davis. They are a model of efficiency, and not only care for patients, but care for one another. They cover shifts for their sick colleagues, celebrate major life changes, and even donate paid time off to those in need. They truly embody the definition of “care,” and it shows in all they do in their daily tasks.
Nearly 400 technicians care for more than 50,000 patients a year at UC Davis. They are a model of efficiency, and not only care for patients, but care for one another.
The team members have a broad spectrum of experience among them. From new technicians with less than a year in the industry to those with decades in veterinary medicine, they all have a passion for caring and teaching.
In many “thank you” notes the hospital receives, the clients send praise to the technicians, whom they interact with extensively, especially if their pets have long hospitalizations.
While veterinary technician education is accomplished on the community college level, hands-on training is offered at UC Davis. The teaching hospital provides internships for technician students to spend up to a semester at the hospital gaining valuable experience caring for patients.
“Our technician internship program has been mutually beneficial for both the students and the hospital,” said Harmony Lindberg, clinical operations administrator, and a registered veterinary technician (RVT) herself. “We are always looking for the best and brightest technicians to join our team permanently, and we’ve found many of them through the internship program.
“It is a rewarding career that can take you in many different directions, especially at a place like UC Davis where there is so much room for advancement,” Lindberg continued. “I encourage anyone who has ever thought about caring for animals to pursue a career path as a veterinary technician. It has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.”
Let’s get to know a few veterinary technicians at the UC Davis veterinary hospital.
They are a diverse and highly skilled group who all share a passion for animals. Our feature includes a new technician who has just started her career, one with more than two decades of experience, one with an advanced training certificate few technicians hold, and one who has worked her way through several promotions into increasingly more responsible roles.
