Career Advancement Certificates and Certification Programs
Credentialed Veterinary Pain Practitioner
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) unites veterinarians in general practice, specialty veterinarians, veterinary technicians/technologists, veterinary students, researchers and industry representatives from around the world to advocate for best practices in the treatment of animals in pain. Their mission encompasses a diverse and robust commitment from numerous medical fields, including general practice, anesthesiology, surgery, internal medicine, emergency/critical care, oncology, neurology, dentistry, dermatology, physical therapy/rehabilitation, behavior and many others. Collectively, IVAPM members from these various disciplines provide a continued focus on the animal, and the relief of both acute and chronic animal pain.
The CVPP accreditation is open to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. Veterinary professionals with minimum 5 years experience in general practice and at least two years of working with animals in pain, may apply for certification.
Members interested in applying for CVPP title, must be members of the IVAPM before applying.
CVPP FAQs and info here.
RECOVER CPR
The Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Initiative is a globally recognized effort to establish evidence‑based standards for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in small animal medicine.
The 2024 RECOVER CPR – BLS (Basic Life Support) Course focuses on replacing the crucial functions of the cardiopulmonary system in patients with acute CPA. In this course, participants will learn about the latest recommendations for performing high-quality BLS, including the approach to rapid diagnosis of CPA, how to tailor chest compressions to individual patients to maximize blood flow, and options for ventilation during CPR.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) is initiated after Basic Life Support (BLS) has been started. In this 2024 RECOVER CPR – ALS Course, participants will learn about adjunctive therapies that can help improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs and correct physiologic derangements such as arrhythmias or metabolic disturbances secondary to ischemia. Both the BLS and ALS are set-paced learning modules that are completed online. Once both of these modules are passed, in person CPR certification can be obtained. RECOVER initiative has a list of trainers available and dates when certification is being held. Many conferences offer in-person certification, or chat with a trainer to set up certification at your clinic! RECOVER requires re-certification every 2 years.
All information here.
Recognized National Specialties for Veterinary Technicians and Technologists
Did you know there are multiple areas of advancement available for RVTs? Veterinary Technician Specialities (VTS) are for those wanting to advance their skills or pursue specialization.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) was founded in 1981, and has become the governing body over Veterinary Technician Specialties around the world. The VTS program exists to help veterinary technicians/technologists attain a higher level of recognition for advanced knowledge and skills in specific disciplines. NAVTA-affiliated specialty academies offer VTS programs across a wide range of focuses. Each organization has their own requirements to obtain and maintain their respective VTS title. These include submission requirements, application time frames, and specific skills lists. Accepted applicants are expected to uphold additional CE requirements, beyond what their provincial association may deem necessary, and CE must be relevant to their VTS.
Those looking to work towards obtaining this VTS will be required to access a mentor within the specialty they are looking to work towards.
Academies monitor applicant’s years of experience, percentage of time spent in each specialty, and that applicants are in good standing with their tech board/national organizations. On average, 2-3 years of full time employment within the relevant specialty is required before applicants can begin to gather case logs and reports. Typically the credentialing process takes 2 years, but can be more than that depending on each individual applicant and their cases.
Successful applicants are expected to uphold additional CE requirements relevant to their VTS, beyond what their provincial association may deem necessary..
Prior to submitting a VTS application, applicants must review their FAQs or reach out to the academy chair to ensure that the information they are receiving is relevant and up to date. NAVTA membership is not required in order to apply to any academy.
Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia
VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia)
Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians
VTS (Behavior)
Academy of Veterinary Clinical Pathology Technicians
VTS (Clinical Pathology)
Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice (specialties in Small Animal (Canine/Feline), Small Animal (Feline), Exotic Companion Animal, and Production Medicine)
VTS Clinical Practice (Canine/Feline)
VTS Clinical Practice (Feline)
VTS Clinical Practice (Exotic Companion Animals)
VTS Clinical Practice (Production Medicine)
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
VTS (Dentistry)
Academy of Dermatology Veterinary Technicians
VTS (Dermatology)
Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging
VTS (DI)
VTS (DI-OC)
Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses
VTS (ECC)
Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians
VTS-EVN
Academy of Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians and Nurses (specialties in Research Clinical Nursing (Traditional), Research Clinical Nursing (Non-Traditional), Research Surgeon, and Research Anesthetist)
VTS-LAM
Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians (specialties in Cardiology, Neurology, Small Animal, Large Animal, and Oncology)
VTS (Cardiology)
VTS (Neurology)
VTS (SAIM)
VTS (LAIM)
VTS (Oncology)
Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians
VTS (Nutrition)
Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians
VTS (Ophthalmology)
Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians
VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)
Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians
VTS (Surgery)
Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians
VTS (Zoo)