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Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly Asked Questions. Do you have a question
that we are commonly asked? No bones about it! There are a lot of questions
people have about veterinary technology and the Ohio Association of Veterinary
Technicians. Here you can find just a few of those compiled questions that will
help you get a basic understanding of the way things work in the world of
veterinary technology.
If you need to reach the OAVT's corresponding secretary, please e mail:
oavtcorrespondingsecretary@ohiorvt.org.
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How do I become a member of the OAVT?
To become a member just visit the
Form section of The Downloads Page
and either print and mail it to the address on the sheet or, for faster
service, fill out our online version. If you have questions please feel free to
email
General Info and we will reply to your question promptly.
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Can I become a member if I am a student in a distance
learning program but live in Ohio?
Yes! Being a member of the OAVT gives you access to state CE
information, changing laws that effect veterinary technicians in Ohio and gives
you the opportunity to meet other VT students.
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If I live in a state that borders Ohio can I become an OAVT
member?
Yes! You would be an affiliate member of the OAVT, receive
our newsletter and be able to take part in Midwest Veterinary Conference and
Discovery at the discounted rates.
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I am already an OAVT member, how do I get the discounted
rate on Veterinary Technician magazine? To receive
the discounted rate when ordering your subscription, give the code VT7OVT,
which will let you receive the 12 issues for $25.00. You can call in your order
to 800-426-9119 ext 2 or place your order on line at
www.vlsstore.com.
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I am an OAVT member, but have no idea to what district I
belong. Help! First, in what county do you live?
Do you work in the same county or a different county? You can be a member of
the district you work in or the district you live in, each has it's advantages.
Locate your county/counties on our Map section
of The Districts Page. Each county has a
corresponding district number. For example if you live in Wayne county
(district 8) but work in Ashland county (district 4) you could pick one or the
other. Choosing the district in which you work is helpful because you are more
likely to be in contact with other OAVT members in that district, while
choosing the one where you live may place you closer to district meetings and
events. The choice is yours!
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I love animals, how do I become a veterinary technician?
To become a veterinary technician in the state of Ohio you
must go to a 2 or 4 year American Veterinary Medical Association (or
AVMA) nationally accredited school to receive an associates or a
bachelors degree in veterinary technology. You then take the VTNE (national
board exam for veterinary technology) and register with the Ohio Veterinary
Medical Licensing Board (or OVMLB)
as a credentialed veterinary technician. Please see our
Vet Tech Schools Page for information on the accredited
schools in Ohio.
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What is a veterinary technician?
A veterinary technician is a person who has attended an
accredited program in veterinary technology, graduated and is registered with
their state licensing board. They are involved in many different aspects of
veterinary medicine and perform many of the duties vital to excellent patient
and client care in a hospital setting. The term veterinary nurse has been used
to help the public relate to what a veterinary technician does, but it would be
more accurate to say that a veterinary technician is a nurse, dental hygienist,
surgical assistant, scrub nurse, radiology technician, lab technician,
microbiologist, client service specialist, communications expert,
transcriptionist, pharmacology technician, manager, nutritionist, animal
trainer, behavior counselor, sanitation specialist and an exceptional person.
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I work in a practice and would like to become a credentialed
technician but can't attend a traditional veterinary technology program. What
can I do?
If you are working in the field of veterinary medicine and would like to become
a credentialed technician you now have options that haven't been there before.
The Ohio programs not only offer daytime
classes but also part-time programs and evening programs, so it's worth
checking them out! Be aware that there are also AVMA nationally accredited
distance learning programs that allow you to go to school,
keep your job and earn your degree! Please see our Vet Tech Schools Page
for more information on these programs.
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I'm a NAVTA member, why should I be an OAVT member?
While the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of
America (or NAVTA)
represents technicians on a national level, the OAVT represents us on a state
level. Various policies set by the national organization are not necessarily
adopted by the state organizations and vice versa. It is important to be
involved on both a national and a state level, so that you are aware of both
national and state issues and are able to voice your concerns to both parties.
While NAVTA can provide
discounts on attending national events, the OAVT provides discounts on state
events such as the Midwest Veterinary Conference and Discovery. Being an OAVT
member also can keep you up to date on district events that are in your
neighborhood!
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When does Ohio administer the Veterinary Technician National
Exam?
The Veterinary Technician National Exam is currently
administered the third Friday in January and the third Friday in June of each
year, and is held at Columbus State Community College.
For more information, please visit the
American Association Of Veterinary State Boards.
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I'm a distance learning student living in Ohio who is about
to graduate from an AVMA accredited program. What steps do I need to take to
sit for the VTNE?
When you are in your last set of classes, or after you
graduate, contact the OAVT through this website or the OVMA office, and we will
be able to put you in contact with the person(s) administrating the exam.
Correspondence can be directed to our corresponding secretary:
Email the OAVT Corresponding Secretary
for more information.
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If I'm a technician from another state can I work in Ohio?
Please refer to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board's
website for information on this subject and details regarding state
guidelines. Information about how to become an RVT in the state of Ohio is also
included on their website.
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If I am a technician that was licensed/registered under the
grandfather clause in another state can I work in Ohio?
Please refer to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board's
website for information on this matter. Information about how to become
an RVT in Ohio is also included on their website.
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If I was an RVT in Ohio who was grandfathered in but have
let my registration lapse can I renew my registration?
Technicians that were granted registration under the
grandfather clause that have allowed their registrations to lapse can not renew
their registration. Please refer to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing
Board's website for
more information on this subject.
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Can a graduate of a foreign veterinary school or veterinary
technology program work as a veterinary technician in Ohio?
Please refer to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board's
website for information on this. Information about how to become an RVT
in Ohio is also included on their website.
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Do all 10 hours of my CE credits need to be done in a
seminar type setting?
No, all 10 hours need not come from seminars alone. Four of
the ten hours may come from journals, tapes, computer reading lectures, or
office management seminars. These are considered non-scientific hours. For a
full disclosure of how you can earn your 10 hours please refer to the Ohio
Veterinary Medical Licensing Board's
website guidelines.
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If I do not meet the requirements for renewing my
registration for a biannual period and allow my registration to lapse what are
my options to re-activate my registration?
If you allow your registration to lapse you need to contact
the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, either through the mail or their
website, as soon as possible. They can best advise you on what you will
need to do.
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If I have achieved specialty status (VTS), am I able to add
those letters to my name (i.e. Jane Doe, RVT, VTS)?
There is still much controversy surrounding this issue. Once
we have reached a conclusion on this matter we will post the resulting answer
here.
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I just graduated from a veterinary technician school, when
will my continuing education be due?
Registration Cycles last two years from March 1st to March
1st two years later. If it is your first renewal you do not need to report
continuing education for this renewal period. For more information go to the
Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board
website.
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My name and/or address has changed, who do I need to
contact?
For the OAVT you should contact our membership chair person via an email. You will also
need to correct your information with the licensing board as well - this has to
be in writing (per the practice act). You can find the Ohio Veterinary Medical
Licensing Board address at their
website.
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