What is the difference between a Vet Tech and a Vet Assistant?

Education and scope. A 'Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)' has a degree and can perform complex tasks like anesthesia induction. An 'Assistant' usually supports the tech. Make sure you use the keyword that matches your license.

Which software skills are most important?

Practice Management Software is huge. List proficiency with Cornerstone, Avimark, ImproMed, or eVetPractice. Clinics don't want to spend weeks teaching you how to book an appointment.

Should I list exotic animal experience?

Yes! Even for small animal clinics, keywords like 'Exotic Animal Care,' 'Avian restraint,' or 'Reptile husbandry' show versatility and fearlessness.

How do I show client service skills?

Vet med is 50% animal care and 50% owner care. Use keywords like 'Client Education,' 'Grief Counseling,' 'Treatment Plan Presentation,' and 'Discharge Instructions.'

Is this a growing field in 2026?

Absolutely. The 'Pet Economy' is recession-proof. Demand for skilled technicians continues to outpace supply, leading to higher wages for those with specialized 'Emergency' or 'Dental' skills.

Veterinary Technician Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ Skills to Get Hired

🚨 Love animals but hate your job hunt results?

In 2026, the veterinary industry is booming, but clinics are swamped. Practice Managers don't have time to read every resume. They rely on ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter out candidates who lack the specific certifications and clinical terminology required for the role.

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Why Vet Tech Resume Keywords Matter in 2026

Veterinary medicine has become highly specialized. The days of "holding the dog" are over.

Modern clinics need technicians who are essentially nurses, anesthesiologists, and dental hygienists rolled into one. If your resume says "helped with surgery" instead of "performed surgical prep and anesthesia monitoring," you are underselling your license and likely getting rejected.

This guide covers 60+ essential resume keywords for Veterinary Technicians in 2026 to help you prove your clinical value and land a job at the top animal hospitals.

What Are Vet Tech Keywords?
Clinical & Nursing Skills
Surgical & Anesthesia Assistance
Laboratory & Diagnostics
Client Education & Soft Skills
Administrative & Software Skills
Certifications to Highlight
Resume Examples (Assistant vs. Tech)
FAQ

What Are Vet Tech Keywords?

Vet Tech keywords are the medical and technical terms that define your scope of practice. They are the difference between an Assistant (entry-level) and a Technician (skilled professional).

ATS software scans for:

Actions: Triaging, phlebotomy, catheterization, intubation.
Species: Canine, Feline, Equine, Exotic, Pocket Pets.
Tests: Urinalysis, Fecal Flotation, Cytology, CBC.

To see how these compare to human healthcare, check our Medical Assistant Resume Keywords guide. Many skills overlap, and clinics often value cross-trained professionals.

Clinical & Nursing Skills

These keywords prove you can handle the floor during a busy shift. Speed and accuracy are the goals here.

Category	Keywords
Patient Care	Patient Triage, TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration), Vitals Monitoring, Restraint Techniques (Lateral/Sternal), Subcutaneous Fluids, IV Catheter Placement (Cephalic/Saphenous), Injection (IM/SQ/IV), Wound Care/Bandaging
Medication	Pharmacology, Dosage Calculation, Prescription Filling, Controlled Substance Logging, Med Administration, DEA Compliance, Compounding
Hygiene	Sterilization, Autoclave Operation, Hazardous Waste Disposal, Infection Control, Kennel Sanitization, Isolation Protocols, Biohazard Safety

Pro Tip: Don't just list "Restraint." Specify "Fear-Free Restraint Techniques" to show you are up-to-date with modern behavioral standards. This is a huge selling point in 2026.

Surgical & Anesthesia Assistance

This is the highest-value section for a Licensed Technician. It shows you can be trusted with a life. If you have done this, make sure it is bold on your resume.

Category	Keywords
Pre-Op	Surgical Prep, Induction, Intubation, Pre-anesthetic Bloodwork, Aseptic Technique, Gowning and Gloving, Instrument Counting, Pack Preparation
Intra-Op	Anesthesia Monitoring (SPO2, ETCO2, ECG, BP, Temperature), Extubation, Emergency Protocols, CPR (RECOVER Certified), Capnography
Procedures	Dental Prophylaxis, Dental Radiography, Spay/Neuter Assistance, Soft Tissue Surgery, Orthopedic Support, Suture Removal, Laser Therapy

Laboratory & Diagnostics

A Vet Tech is also a lab scientist. List the specific tests you run. "In-house" labs are profit centers for clinics, so your ability to run them efficiently equals revenue.

Category	Keywords
Lab Work	Urinalysis (Specific Gravity/Sediment), Fecal Flotation, Cytology, CBC (Complete Blood Count), Blood Chemistry, Heartworm Testing (4Dx), PCV/TP, Sample Preparation
Imaging	Digital Radiography, Positioning, Ultrasound Assistance, MRI/CT Setup, Radiation Safety (Dosimetry badges), Contrast Studies

Client Education & Soft Skills

This is where many tech resumes fail. You treat the pet, but you talk to the owner. Review our Customer Service Resume Keywords to see how to frame your people skills.

Category	Keywords
Communication	Client Education, Discharge Instructions, Medical History Taking, Treatment Plan Estimates, Grief Counseling, Euthanasia Support, Nutritional Counseling
Traits	Compassion, Empathy, Multi-tasking, Detail-Oriented, Emotional Resilience, Critical Thinking, Team Collaboration, Conflict Resolution

If you are new to the field, see our Entry Level Hub for ways to highlight transferrable customer service skills (like from retail or human healthcare).

Administrative & Software Skills

Running the front desk or the back office requires tech skills.

Software: Cornerstone, Avimark, ImproMed, eVetPractice, IDEXX VetLab Station, Antech Online.
Admin: Appointment Scheduling, Inventory Management, Controlled Drug Logs, SOAP Notes, Medical Record Keeping, Triaging Calls.

Certifications to Highlight

CVT / LVT / RVT (Certified/Licensed/Registered Veterinary Technician) - Requirement for many roles
NAVTA Member
Fear Free Certified Professional
RECOVER CPR Certified (BLS/ALS)
Dental Technician Certification (VTS)
USDA Accredited (if applicable)

Resume Examples: Assistant vs. Technician

See the difference between a helper and a medical professional.

Example 1: Patient Care

❌ Weak: "Held dogs for shots and cleaned cages."

✅ Strong (Optimized): "Performed Fear-Free restraint for vaccinations and blood draws, and managed infection control protocols for the isolation ward, ensuring zero cross-contamination events."

Example 2: Surgery

❌ Weak: "Watched surgeries and woke up animals."

✅ Strong (Optimized): "Assisted in soft tissue surgeries by performing intubation, managing anesthesia induction, and monitoring vitals (ECG, SPO2, ETCO2) to ensure patient safety during recovery."

Example 3: Lab Work

❌ Weak: "Ran lab tests."

✅ Strong (Optimized): "Conducted in-house laboratory diagnostics including Urinalysis, Fecal Flotation, and Cytology, delivering accurate results to veterinarians within 15 minutes."

Conclusion

The Veterinary Technician role is a mix of science, heart, and grit. 2026 is the year of the Specialized Technician.

By auditing your resume and including these 60+ keywords, you show Practice Managers that you are ready to hit the floor running and provide the gold standard of care.

Don't guess which keywords you're missing.

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