What is veterinary technician




















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Contact Contact us Media contacts. Site search. Breadcrumb Home resources Public resources yourvet Veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants.

Veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. Education Students interested in a career in veterinary technology should have an aptitude for general science, math and biology and demonstrate basic language and communication skills.

Distance learning To accommodate work and family obligations, distance learning is an option for many students wishing to earn a degree in veterinary technology from home. Salary Veterinary technicians earn salaries that compare favorably to those in other fields requiring a similar education.

For example, they may witness abused animals or may need to help euthanize sick, injured, or unwanted animals. Veterinary technologists and technicians risk injury on the job. They may be bitten, scratched, or kicked while working with scared or aggressive animals. Injuries may happen while the technologist or technician is holding, cleaning, or restraining an animal. Typically, both technologists and technicians must pass a credentialing exam to become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the requirements of the state in which they work.

People interested in becoming a veterinary technologist or technician can prepare by taking biology and other science courses in high school. Although each state regulates veterinary technologists and technicians differently, most candidates must pass a credentialing exam.

Communication skills. Veterinary technologists and technicians communicate with supervisors, other staff, and animal owners. A growing number of technicians counsel pet owners on animal behavior and nutrition.

Veterinary technologists and technicians must treat animals with kindness and must be sensitive when dealing with the owners of sick pets. Detail oriented. Veterinary technologists and technicians must pay attention to detail.

They must be precise when recording information, performing diagnostic tests, and administering medication. Manual dexterity. Veterinary technologists and technicians must handle animals, medical instruments, and laboratory equipment with care. They need a steady hand for intricate tasks such as doing dental work, giving anesthesia, and taking x rays. Physical strength. Veterinary technologists and technicians need to be able to manage and lift animals.

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. In May , the median annual wages for veterinary technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:.

Veterinary technologists and technicians working in research positions often earn more than those in other fields. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. As the number of households with pets and spending on pets continue to rise, demand is expected to increase for veterinary technologists and technicians to do laboratory work and imaging services on household pets. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.

The link s below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. All state projections data are available at www. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area.

There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. This policy is to ensure that all veterinary technicians are able to provide the most up-to-date care and treatment to all patients under the care of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine DVM , allowing prevention of malpractice and negligence. Additional to the role that a technician must play, the technician is also the eyes, ears and hands of the veterinarian.

While the DVM is responsible for diagnosing and selecting the care necessary for the patient, the technician must then perform the selected treatment plan on the patient. This can include wound care including suturing in some states , surgical prep and nursing, vaccinations, ear cleaning, collecting laboratory samples and preparing medications.

As well as monitor all in-hospital patients those staying with the hospital for a prolonged period of time , by making sure all veterinary assistants are following treatment plans correctly and punctually. Becoming a veterinary technician is a long and a somewhat difficult process, as it requires long hours of school work and hundreds of hours spent at externship locations learning the more difficult aspects of working at a veterinary hospital. Before branching into the world of veterinary medicine, you need to first determine if you have the mental fortitude to work in this industry.

While many hospitals staff get to enjoy spending time with puppies and kittens and checking in on the basic well-being of a patient, there are also the negative experiences staff must account for. In order to determine if this is the field for you, potential students should first attempt to volunteer at a veterinary location to see if this endeavor is a possibility. If you feel that you will be able to work in a somewhat stressful, but rewarding environment, you may then want to take the next step to completing the basic school requirements to enter into a veterinary technician program.

Veterinary technicians do not have to take a vow of poverty to do something they love. The particular credential needed depends on the state. Some states, such as Arizona, Colorado, and Florida, require professional certification.

In California, Indiana, and Ohio, vet techs must be registered with the state. Alaska, Texas, and Washington require licensure. Check with the appropriate credentialing body in your state to verify local requirements. Vet tech training in an associate program includes classroom lessons on theory and on-the-job experiences working under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Students must complete at least 60 credits, including general education courses. Possible major-related courses include equine science, veterinary anatomy and physiology, veterinary pharmacology, and veterinary anesthesia and surgery. Many programs offer online formats or blended programs that pair distance learning with in-person lessons. Degree-seekers learn how to administer medication, perform diagnostic imaging, provide preventative care to animals, and maintain medical records.

Vet tech training also teaches students administrative skills and how to assist veterinarians.



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