Future Vet Techs — you're a sucker for strays. Actually, all kinds of animals have you chasing after them — or they may be chasing after you, only to come plop down on your lap. If you believe that a career as a vet technician is the right move for you, then keep reading. This article highlights what you need to know to break into an industry that involves fuzzy and scaly patients alike.
What is a Veterinary Tech?
Vet technicians work alongside veterinarians in clinics or animal hospitals. They handle tests and any preparatory work for animals upon their arrival to an appointment. By working alongside veterinarians themselves, technicians play a huge role in diagnosing conditions and/or treating ailments and injuries their four-legged patients have.
Veterinary technicians are also responsible for handling administrative work, as well. Accurate record keeping is just as important in a veterinary clinic as it is in a medical facility.
The restrictions setting technicians and veterinarians apart are as follows:
- Veterinary technicians are not authorized to perform surgery
- Veterinary technicians are not authorized to diagnose
- Veterinary technicians are not authorized to prescribe medications
Like vets, veterinary technicians tend to train with a variety of animals (mammals and reptiles), and different species. Some technicians also choose to specialize in areas like animal behavior, equine vet technology, zoo veterinarian technology, and critical/emergency care.
One of the common professional paths veterinary technicians will encounter is as follows:
- Vet Assistant: A vet assistant works under the supervised authority of a veterinarian, vet tech, or vet scientist, caring for the animals during routine procedures. Certificates are available, although many learn through hands-on training.
- Vet Technicians: Vet techs go through a two- or four-year accredited program to earn their associate or bachelor’s degrees. They assist veterinarians throughout different procedures — from routine check ups to complex surgeries.
- Certified Vet Technician: After having worked as a veterinary technician, candidates must take and pass the credentialing exam to become a certified vet technician. NOTE: After passing the exam, certified veterinary technicians are required to take continuing education courses throughout their career.
Is a Vet Tech Career Right for You?
For an animal lover, there is no better job than one where you’re surrounded by animals every day. And, you’re working among like-minded people who share the same passion. You get to spend every work day with people who understand why you find that cat meme hilarious, or share your love for the 14-year-old scraggly chihuahua who comes in for his monthly tests.
Aside from working with people who share your love for animals, there are other benefits that veterinary technicians are treated to:
- Never the same day twice. Every day will bring in a different animal with a different reason for the vet visit — and hopefully — a many different patient success/recovery stories.
- You’re in a career that is high demand in a growing field. Which means, you should be able to find a job — and one that keeps you growing in the profession.
- You’re not restricted to just a veterinary hospital; you can find work in other, larger places, like the zoo, wildlife preservations, animal clinics, and research facilities, to name a few.
- You get to help people learn to take better care of their pets. That way, you know your new buddies are being well-cared for. And you’ll be helping to strengthen the bond between the animal and pet parent.
What a Vet Tech Does
Again, veterinary technicians' primary responsibilities are to conduct tests and assist with procedures that will eventually lead to the treatment or diagnosis for someone's pet. There are other duties veterinary technicians have, as well.
Other responsibilities of veterinary technicians include but are not limited to:
- Observe patients
- Provide care to the sick and injured
- Bathe, clip nails, and brush fur, if some need a bit of light grooming
- Soothe and restrain animals during examinations
- Administer anesthesia, and monitor vitals
- Collect samples such as feces, blood, and urine
- Perform necessary lab tests on the samples you’ve collected
- Take X-rays
- Prepare for surgery, both the animal and the instruments being used
- Give medication and other treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian
- Record information for medical records
Becoming a Vet Tech
If you have your high school diploma or GED equivalent, in as little as two years, you can find yourself career-ready to work as a technician.
If you are still a high school student, be sure to take as many science and math courses as possible. Math and scientific subjects will play significant roles in a vet tech program. After graduation, your next step will be to enroll in a school or program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Attending an accredited program is important, as it affects your eligibility for future certifications and opportunities within your career.
Classes you take in your program will vary, but most will cover basic animal nursing care, training in anesthesia, animal anatomy and physiology, animal diseases, and surgical nursing for animals, at the least. Bachelor's degrees are also available in veterinary technology, and while they are not necessary for success in the field, they may open you up to better pay opportunities (and/or advancement) later in your career.
Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
Whether you go to school for an associate or bachelor’s, you’ll have to take the VTNE, given by the American Association of Veterinary State Board, once you’ve completed your schooling. Most states will require their technicians and technologists to be board certified, but each state has its own set of qualifications. Be sure to check with your state board for any other specific requirements you must meet.
The VTNE is administered three times throughout the year. The exam registration fee is $340, and must be paid o the AAVSB as your application is submitted through the online portal. The VTNE is a 3-hour computer-based exam, testing students on nine different domains.
Topics on the VTNE exam include:
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Surgical Nursing
- Dentistry
- Laboratory Procedures
- Animal Care and Nursing
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Anesthesia
- Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
- Pain Management/Analgesia
Each domain will include task area statements. These statements are meant to measure the competency and knowledge of the prospective vet technician.
According to the American Association of Veterinary State Board, an average of 70 percent of students pass the exam on their first attempt.
Veterinary Technician Salary Info
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average salary for vet technicians was $44,040 in 2023, with the top 10 percent making $59,310 or more. Many veterinary technicians work irregular hours, especially if they work in 24-hour emergency clinics.
Highest Paying States for Veterinary Technicians in 2023
|
State |
Salary |
|
California |
$55,740 |
|
New York |
$55,540 |
|
Washington |
$54,460 |
|
Virginia |
$50,980 |
Veterinary Technician Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the occupational demand for vet technicians is expected to increase 21 percent by 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations. Veterinary tech programs are expanding in schools.
Veterinary technicians can also specialize in certain areas like dentistry or zoology. It is a great field for any animal lover who also holds an interest in scientific fields.
References
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm
https://www.thebalance.com/top-reasons-to-become-a-vet-tech-125727
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/pros-and-cons-of-becoming-a-veterinary-assistant/