Trade Schools with Veterinary Technician Programs
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Those with a love for animals can find a rewarding career as a veterinary technician. Also known as vet techs, individuals working in this field assist veterinarians with the care of animals brought into their practice. They also can help answer questions that owners have when they bring their pet in for treatment.
To become a practicing vet tech, prospective students must first obtain the proper training from vet tech trade schools. Typically, students must have a two-year degree. However, larger organizations such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture may require more education. In addition to classroom learning, individuals will get hands-on training in a clinical setting.
What Is a Veterinary Technician?
A vet tech assists in several ways. Technicians perform the initial exam of the animal when it’s brought in, observing and reporting on its condition. They take the animal’s vital signs, draw blood, and get its medical history. Vet techs also perform x-rays, assist in research, and prep the animals for surgery.
Another role of a veterinary technician is to speak and interact with animal owners. This can involve everything from getting the pet’s medical history to explaining how to administer a certain medication. Vet techs can also educate the owners on how to properly care for an animal if it requires any special assistance once it leaves the facility.
Depending on the office, a vet tech can be responsible for the grooming and bathing of the animals when they’re brought in to help ensure proper sanitation. Some of the things this can involve are:
- Brushing and cutting hair
- Bathing
- Clipping of nails and claws
What Are a Veterinary Technician's Job Duties?
A vet tech can be responsible for a number of different tasks. Whether they’re taking notes for the vet about an animal’s initial observation or administering first aid or vaccinations to a sick animal, vet techs are responsible for a number of different tasks such as:
- Restraining animals during exams and procedures
- Administering anesthesia
- Taking and process x-rays
- Performing lab tests, such as urinalysis
- Sterilizing and prep instruments for surgery
What Types of Skills Should Vet Techs Possess?
Vet techs should be comfortable working with animals. Since those in this position will be involved with different animals in a number of aspects, such as giving first aid, administering exams and grooming, these workers will spend a good portion of their day hands-on with clients.
Workers in this profession must also be able to communicate effectively. Being able to properly explain the conditions of a certain animal to a coworker or pet owner is very important. Also, a vet tech will need to be able to quickly and correctly understand instructions from the vet throughout the day.
Vets techs will also want to have good organizational skills. With so many different aspects to the job, veterinary technicians need to make sure each animal is getting the care that they came in for. Vet techs will take samples, administer different medications, and read from charts. If they’re disorganized, the patient could get the wrong treatment by mistake.
How Do Veterinary Technicians Maintain Their Workspace?
A vet tech maintains their workspace by keeping it clean and organized. In waiting rooms, vet techs can clean up fur and accidents from nervous animals coming in to the practice. Additionally, with different testing, grooming regiments, and treatments throughout the day, technicians can find themselves cleaning and sanitizing after every appointment.
Why Do Vet Techs Need to Have Patience?
Patience is also very important to a vet tech. Some animals will come into the office scared, excited or even undisciplined. It is their job to remain calm and focused in order to properly handle each situation that comes their way. Vet techs will also need patience when dealing with angry and upset pet owners, as well.
How Do Veterinary Technicians Promote Their Work?
Many pet owners looking for veterinary hospitals, clinics, and private practices can find their services online and even in the local newspapers. Small, locally owned practices or animal shelters can also receive recommendation through word of mouth to help spread word about their business.
What are Useful Skills for People in This Field?
- Having empathy
- Good organizational skills
- Endurance and stamina
- Technical skills
- Being detail oriented
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to deal with stressful situations
- Ability to deal with stressful situations
- Good decision making
- Compassion for animals
Are There Special Requirements for Vet Tech Jobs?
Veterinary technicians need at least a two-year associate degree from an accredited school with a vet tech program. In addition to classroom education, aspiring vet techs must complete hours of hand-on training required to gain the necessary skills needed to be an effective technician.
What is the Outlook of
Veterinary Technician Jobs?
Since people will always have pets, there will be a steady need for vet techs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 16% increase in jobs for this field by 2029. This means that those looking to start their career as a vet tech will have a better chance of finding a job in the coming years.
What Should Workers Expect?
Vet techs work long hours, including weekends and nights for emergency visits and to accommodate pet owner’s schedules. The job provides unique challenges as ever pet’s issue is different. People looking to get into this profession should also prepare to spend lots of time on their feet handling pets of varying sizes and temperaments.
Where Can Prospects Find Work?
Though trained techs typically find work in private clinics and animal hospitals, they can also find work at places like laboratories, various humane societies, and college campuses. With additional training, a person can also find vet tech jobs at a specialized branch like:
- Exotic animal clinic
- Zoo
- Aquarium
- Wildlife rescue organization
What Are Alternative Vet Tech Careers?
Because of their knowledge of animals and ability to perform laboratory tests, vet techs can transfer these skills to a variety of different fields. Individuals can expand their skill set to become animal care workers, medical or clinical lab technicians, nursing assistants and veterinarians.