Veterinary Technician |
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Who Are Veterinary Technicians? A veterinary technician is a skilled animal care professional that plays a similar role in veterinary offices as nurses do in medical clinics. Veterinary Technicians carry out essential office tasks and directly assist veterinarians by performing routine laboratory and clinical procedures. What Do Veterinary Technicians Do? Veterinary technicians work under veterinarians to treat and maintain the health of with various types of animals like cats, dogs, horses, mice, rats, sheep, pigs, cattle, monkeys, birds, fish and frogs. Veterinary technicians conduct various medical tests to diagnose and treat various diseases and medical conditions with animals. Veterinary technicians prepare urine, blood and tissue samples for lab analysis. Veterinary technicians obtain the animals case histories, take and develop x rays, expose and develop x rays and radiographs, and provide specialized nursing care. Veterinary technicians also consult with the animal’s owner about treatments or any concerns. Is This Program in My Area?Veterinary Technician Training People pursuing a career as a Veterinary technician must earn a degree from veterinary school at Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited veterinary colleges. The AVMA awards accreditation to veterinary technician schools at community colleges, vocational schools, trade schools, 4 year colleges or universities with a veterinary school department, or at a specialized veterinary technician school. There are also colleges of veterinary nurses that provide degrees. The types of veterinary colleges student choose to attend depend on the degree program. Some earn a 2-year associate degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary technician schools or at community college veterinary school programs. There are about 16 veterinary colleges that offer veterinary technology programs that award a 4-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. Veterinary schools and colleges of veterinary nursing teach the classes in clinical and laboratory settings and learn using live animals. Veterinary techs generally receive training to specialize in large, small, farm or other specific types of animals. Veterinary Technician Certification All States require veterinary technicians to be credentials and certified. To obtain this certification the veterinary technician must complete their veterinary school coursework and pass an exam that is regulated by a State Board of Veterinary Examiners. The veterinary technician exam includes oral, written, and practical portions. After passing the exam, veterinary technicians become registered, licensed, or certified. Veterinary Technician Job Prospects Veterinary technicians work in a variety of settings and environments. The majority of veterinary technicians work in vet clinics and animal hospitals. Other veterinary techs apply their talents in research facilities, zoos, large animal ranches, stables, boarding kennels and animal shelters. There are several areas of advancement for skilled veterinary techs, including supervisory and management positions. Some veterinary techs return to school to become veterinarians or to teach future veterinary techs at veterinarian colleges. Veterinary Technician Job Security and Salary According to the Bureau of Labor, the demand for veterinary technicians is excellent because of a shortage of veterinary school graduates. Job growth is expected to increase 41% making veterinary technicians the fastest growing and most in demand vocation in the U.S. Veterinary school graduates can expect to earn a salary ranging $20,000 to $39,000. |