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If you love making a difference in the lives of animals, becoming a veterinary technician might be the best career path you could take. Veterinary technicians often work directly with pets and their owners to determine medical needs and the best course of action in the event of illness or emergency.
Veterinary Technician Overview
Veterinary technicians work under the close supervision of a veterinarian. The duties are wide and varied, often depending upon the practice and how much help the veterinarian requires. A veterinary technician might do several of the following jobs in the course of his or her employment:
Veterinary technicians who work for research facilities might have additional responsibilities, such as administering medications, preparing samples for lab examinations or documenting information for analysis. The humane treatment of animals in research settings is also of the utmost importance.
Veterinary technicians might also work with large animals on farms or in zoos. Or they might opt for jobs that don't require hands-on work with animals, such as positions in drug and feed companies, technical service and sales or teaching.
Veterinary technicians can also specialize in a wide variety of fields. According to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), recognized specialties include:
Veterinary Technician Training: Degrees and Coursework
Preparing for veterinary technician school should include a strong background in math and sciences, especially natural sciences. Biology, anatomy and courses that give you practical laboratory skills are a good way to prepare for the rigors of a veterinary technician degree program.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits degree programs for veterinary technicians. Most of the programs lead to a 2-year associate’s degree, while some might lead to a 4-year bachelor's degree. Those who earn a bachelor's degree should see more responsibilities in their job as well as the potential for higher pay.
Clinical experience is required for all veterinary technicians. Those who choose distance learning can complete their clinical experience requirement by working under their local veterinarian while still taking all of the classes for their degree online.
Almost all states require veterinary technicians to hold a license. Each state requires that the technician pass a competency exam, typically the National Veterinary Technician Exam (NVT). For those who want to work in a research facility, there are three levels of American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification.
Many states require continuing education in order to keep up with current licensing. Many veterinary technicians find that taking courses throughout their career helps them stay up-to-date on new technologies. The amount of hours required depends upon the state and those who want to keep their license current in certain specialties might have to complete more hours than the average requirement.
Veterinary Technician Career Outlook
The job outlook for veterinary technicians should be solid in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for veterinary technicians is expected to exceed the number of qualified applicants. As a result, employment is expected to grow by 36 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Though there are relatively few veterinary technician graduates each year, applicants pursing employment at zoos and research labs should see steep competition. Veterinary technicians should be able to find more opportunities in private practice.
The salary for veterinary technicians varies depending on geographic location, the type of employment, years of experience and the responsibility taken on in the position. According to BLS, veterinary technicians brought home a median annual salary of $29,280 in 2009.
Resources for Veterinary Technicians
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.
| School | Locations | Degrees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem College | AZ, MO | Associate, Diploma | |
| Argosy University | MN | Associate | |
| Ashworth College | Online | Diploma | |
| Broadview University | UT | Associate | |
| Brown Mackie College | ID, IN, KS, KY, MO, NM, OH | Associate | |
| Carrington College | AZ, OR, WA | Certificate | |
| Carrington College California | CA | Associate, Certificate | |
| Harrison College | IN | Associate, Certificate | |
| Kaplan College KHE | AZ | Associate | |
| Minnesota School of Business | MN | Associate, Bachelor | |
| National American University Campus | SD | Associate, Diploma | |
| Sanford Brown College | IL, MO, OR | Associate, Certificate | |
| Sanford Brown Institute | FL, PA | Associate | |
| Stratford Career Institute | Online | Diploma | |
| Vatterott College | IA, IL, KS, MO, NE, OH, OK, TN | Diploma |
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