Veterinary Imaging or Radiation Oncology Technologist

How do I become a veterinary imaging technologist?

• Licensing for veterinary technologists is under the jurisdiction of each state. The requirements may vary from state to state and ideally you should consult with the radiology and ultrasound techs at a veterinary school in your state or at a large veterinary practice near you. The techs should be able to help you with the requirements. Your state may also have a Registered Veterinary Technicians Association. For example, here is the RVTA for California. Also see the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) for additional information.
• Most veterinary imaging technologists first become registered veterinary technologists (RVT). Contact your state's Veterinary Medical Board for the requirements. In general, you must be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited community college degree program in veterinary technology, have passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam, and have passed a state exam. General knowledge of animal medical care is needed to perform and assist in more complex procedures.
• To become a veterinary imaging technologist, you need to work at a large veterinary practice to learn how to use radiographic and ultrasound equipment from the veterinarian and other technologists. Ideally the practice should employ or consult with an American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) board-certified radiologist. Also you should attend radiology and ultrasound continuing education seminars and classes. Once trained, you may be asked to perform radiographic and/or ultrasound examinations on animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.

How do I become a veterinary radiation oncology technologist?

• Most veterinary radiation oncology technologists first become registered veterinary technologists as described above.
• To obtain further training as veterinary radiation oncology technologist, you must work at a facility that specializes in radiation oncology (radiation therapy) under the direct supervision of an American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) board-certified radiation oncologist. You should consult with the radiation oncology techs at a veterinary school in your state to help you with the requirements and to locate a facility.
• Facilities that employ radiation oncology technologists are also those that have Radiation Oncology Residency Training Programs since this is where veterinarians are trained to become ACVR board-certified radiation oncologists. However, there are also a number of other facilities that do not have Radiation Oncology Residency Training Programs that employ radiation oncology technologists as well.