Ed Carlson is a Certified Veterinary Technician and holds a Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in nutrition. Ed is the Director of Veterinary Nursing Education at Vet Bloom and serves as the current president of both NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and the MVTA (Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association). On this episode, Ed shares his journey as a veterinary technician and we discuss how the role of the veterinary technician or nurse has changed over time and the path to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician.

Topics discussed in this episode

00:00- Introduction

1:45 – Veterinary Technician vs Veterinary Nurse vs Veterinary Assistant

7:50- The role of the Veterinary Technician/Nurse and how it’s changed over time.

15:45- Ed shares his journey as a veterinary technician

21:50 – The path to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician or nurse

23:58- Veterinary Technician credentialing terminology by state and the veterinary health care team.

29:54- Veterinary Technician Specialties

40:57- Ed’s current role as Director of Veterinary Nursing education at VetBloom

47:33 – Ed describes the mission of NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and discusses the Veterinary Nurse Initiative.

Resources mentioned in this episode

AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)

• Main site - https://www.avma.org/
• AVMA CVTEA Accredited Veterinary Technology Programs

AAVSB (American Association of Veterinary State Boards)

• Main Website - https://www.aavsb.org/
• VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam)

NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America)

• Main Website - https://www.navta.net/
• NAVTA Veterinary Technician Specialties
• Veterinary Nurse Initiative

Ethos Veterinary Health

• Main Website- https://www.ethosvet.com/

VetBloom – Online Veterinary Courses/Continuing Education

• Website - https://vetbloom.com/

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Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com

Leslie Blanchette is a teacher and Chair of the Animal Science Department at Bristol County Agricultural High School, located in the state of Massachusetts. Ms. Blanchette shares her path to becoming a vocational education high school teacher and discusses licensure requirements for the profession. We also discuss the rewards of teaching at the high school level, what sets vocational schools apart from more traditional high schools and the challenges a new or experienced teacher may face in this career.

Topics discussed in this episode

0:00- Leslie Blanchette shares her journey to becoming an animal science high school teacher

5:08- Steps to pursuing a teaching career in vocational/agricultural education

10:34- Teaching licensure requirements

19:03- Teaching salary expectations and teacher contracts

21:14- Ms. Blanchette shares how she developed a passion for teaching

22:53- The challenges and rewards of teaching

26:23 – The student experience at Bristol County Agricultural High School

37:11- Information for prospective students

Resources mentioned in this episode

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

https://www.doe.mass.edu/

Vocational and Technical Education Licensure Requirements (Massachusetts)

https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/voctech/

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/

Overview of the Tests

http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/MA_SG_about_91.asp

Vocational Technical Literacy Skills test

http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/MA091_TestPage.html

Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators

https://www.mava.us/

Bristol County Agricultural High School (Bristol Aggie)

https://bristolaggie.org/

National FFA

https://www.ffa.org/

Dr. Gretchen Delcambre is Director of DVM Admissions at Colorado State University. She shares her journey to becoming a veterinarian and how she found her calling within the veterinary profession. She describes Colorado State’s holistic approach to reviewing DVM applications and what the admissions committee is looking for in standout candidates. We also discuss the top reasons why candidates may be declined admission to the DVM program and how to improve your application when reapplying. Ever wonder what to expect during an MMI (Multiple Mini-Interview)? Have a listen, we discuss that too and much more!

Topics discussed in this episode

0:00- Dr. Delcambre shares her journey to becoming a veterinarian

7:06 – Dr. Delcambre discusses her veterinary school experience and graduate studies.

12:15 – DVM/PhD and other combined programs offered by veterinary schools

15:12- Dr. Delcambre’s role as Director of DVM Admissions at Colorado State University

18:58 – The application process at Colorado State University

25:38 – Animal-related experiences and letters of recommendation

29:16 – The supplemental application at Colorado State University

32:50 – The VMCAS personal essay/statement

34:34- The vet school interview and MMIs (Multiple Mini-Interview)

39:58 – CSU application statistics and residency rules and application timeline

45:52 – Reapplying to vet school and tips on how to improve your chances

49:25 – Top reasons vet school applicants are denied admission

57:07 – Final thoughts

Resources mentioned in this episode

Colorado State University

• College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• CSU DVM Program
• CSU DVM Application Website
• Email: dvmadmission@colostate.edu

AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges):

• Main site - https://www.aavmc.org/
• Admissions requirements
• What to Know before you apply
• Letters of Recommendation
• VMCAS Application Website

Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others)

Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com