What a registered veterinary technician does
A registered veterinary technician (RVT) supports veterinarians across nearly every part of patient care. Under a veterinarian's direction, RVTs prepare and monitor patients under anaesthesia, place catheters, take radiographs, run laboratory tests, perform dental cleanings, give treatments and care for hospitalized animals. They also teach clients about medications, nutrition and home care. A capable RVT lets veterinarians spend their time on diagnosis and surgery, and technician skills often decide how many procedures a clinic can handle each day.
Experienced RVTs are in demand, and many weigh offers that include continuing education, flexible scheduling and a chance to use their full skill set. Finch asks which tasks your technicians handle, whether the role covers surgery, dentistry, emergency or inpatient care, and how your team is structured. We confirm OAVT registration and look for technicians whose skills, temperament and preferred shifts match the way your hospital works.
Typical responsibilities
- Prepare patients for anaesthesia and monitor them during and after procedures
- Take radiographs and run in-house laboratory tests
- Place catheters, draw blood and give medications as the veterinarian directs
- Perform dental cleanings and assist in surgery
- Care for hospitalized patients and keep treatment sheets current
- Explain discharge instructions and home care to clients
Qualifications and credentials
- Graduation from an OAVT-accredited veterinary technician program
- A pass on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
- Registered membership with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT), which allows use of the RVT title
- Practical experience with anaesthesia monitoring, dental radiography and laboratory equipment
- For employers outside Ontario, the equivalent registration in that province
Who hires a registered veterinary technician
- Companion animal hospitals
- Emergency and critical care hospitals
- Specialty and referral practices
- Research facilities and laboratory animal programs
- Shelters and spay-neuter clinics
Where we recruit registered veterinary technician candidates
We fill registered veterinary technician roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm OAVT registration and that the candidate is in good standing
- Ask about anaesthesia, dental and imaging skills with specific case examples
- Discuss comfort with emergency, inpatient or surgical caseloads
- Confirm shift availability, including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Check references from veterinarians or head technicians
Interview questions to ask
- Talk me through how you monitor a patient under anaesthesia and when you alert the veterinarian.
- Which tasks would you like to do more of in your next role?
- How do you explain a new medication schedule to a worried client?