Information on Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary technicians are a critical part of the animal care industry and enjoy rewarding and fast paced careers working with various types of animals. Veterinary technicians can be thought of as the “nurses” of the animal hospital and often have more interaction with patients than veterinarians do.

Variety of Employment for Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary technicians can work in veterinary hospitals, kennels, zoos, wildlife refuges, animal shelters and research laboratories.

Variety of Job Responsibilities of Veterinary Technicians

Veterinarian technicians may be responsible for dispensing prescriptions, communicating with clients, assisting in surgery, laboratory duties, monitoring vital signs, taking x-rays, cleaning pet’s teeth and providing basic medical care for animals.

Veterinary technicians may also be responsible for keeping track of inventory, ordering supplies, meeting with vendors, scheduling appointments and cleaning cages and exam rooms. Veterinary technicians are also expected to assist with pet euthanasia.

Veterinary technicians may also choose to leave behind clinic duties and become sales representatives for veterinary pharmaceutical and supply companies.

Variety of Patients for Veterinary Technicians

Veterinarian technicians may care for small companion animals, research animals, farm animals and exotic animals.

Education Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary technicians can begin working as soon as they have completed a veterinary technician training program that is accredited by the AVMA. These training programs generally lead to an associate degree and typically take two years to complete.

A Veterinary Technician’s Ability to Specialize

Veterinary technicians may specialize in critical emergency care, anesthesia, internal medicine, dental care or animal behavior. Veterinary technicians that are specialists often earn higher salaries and are eligible to work in exclusive research studies. They can also learn ground-breaking technology before other people in the veterinary industry.

Sources:

American Veterinary Medical Association