Veterinary technicians add specialty in diagnostic imaging

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Amy Cardwell and patient
Amy Cardwell, president of the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging, works with a patient. (Courtesy of Amy Cardwell)

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America announced the 16th specialty academy for veterinary technicians, the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging.

The AVTDI comprises veterinary technicians dedicated to performing a higher level of modalities in veterinary diagnostic imaging such as digital radiography, fluoroscopic special procedures, CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and nuclear imaging.

The organizing committee for the AVTDI worked diligently to meet the NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties standards for NAVTA specialty recognition, said Ed Carlson, interim chair of the CVTS, in an Aug. 7 NAVTA announcement about the new specialty. He said, "NAVTA is thrilled that veterinary technicians with a strong passion for diagnostic imaging now have a veterinary technician specialty to pursue."

The AVDTI joins the existing 15 NAVTA-recognized veterinary technician specialties: dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, equine nursing, zoological medicine, surgery, behavior, clinical practice, nutrition, clinical pathology, dermatology, ophthalmology, laboratory animal medicine, and physical rehabilitation.

The NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties was formed in 1994. The committee provides guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to facilitate the formation of specialties and assists the existing academies. Academies develop pathways and advanced standards that candidates must complete and maintain in order to be awarded the designation of veterinary technician specialist in a specific discipline.