Veterinary Technician Programs And Jobs

About Vet Techs

Veterinary Technicians (also referred to as Vet Techs) are trained and licensed individuals who provide support and assistance to veterinarians in the care and treatment of animals. The work a vet tech does for a veterinarian is similar to the work a nurse does in support of a doctor. Although specific job duties vary by employer, typical responsibilities are likely to fall in the general categories of routine laboratory and clinical procedures. Vet Techs are distinguishable from Veterinary Assistants by the fact that it requires an advanced amount of education to become a vet tech and consequently vet techs are licensed by their state to perform specific procedures, whereas vet assistants are not.

Veterinary Technologist is another job title whose holders are referred to as Vet Techs. The job description for a veterinary technologist is very similar to that of a veterinary technician and their duties often overlap. The general difference lies in degree of responsibility and educational qualifications, both of which are slightly more advanced for a technologist.

Vet Tech Responsibilities

The specific duties of a vet tech are dependent upon where he/she works and whom he/she works for. The most common work venue for vet techs is in private practices under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. However, vet techs also work in other places, most notably animal hospitals, private clinics, and research centers. A list of some of the more common tasks vet techs perform includes the following:

• providing treatment for routine problems
• assisting the veterinarian with physical exams
• developing x-rays and radiographs
• performing anesthesia
• administration of medications
• recording temperature, pulse and respiration
• dressing wounds
• operating electrocardiographic equipment
• sterilizing laboratory and surgical equipment
• vaccinating animals
• euthanizations when necessary
• providing routine postoperative care
• recording case histories
• caring for companion animals
• preparing samples for laboratory examinations
• applying splints and other protective devices
• performing urinalysis and blood tests
• conducting research
• weighing animals
• performing intravenous feedings
• assisting veterinarians in surgery
• maintaining treatment records
• maintaining inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies

Vet Tech Job Characteristics

Vet techs get plenty of job satisfaction from working with animals, but there are also some unpleasant aspects of the job which should be taken into account. Techs are often called upon to hold animals when they don't want to be held or restrain them when they don't want to be restrained. What results are often scratches and/or bites. The work atmosphere is often noisy and sometimes dirty. Vet techs who deal with animal abuse or need to euthanize unwanted, aged, or badly injured animals are susceptible to emotional stress.

Most veterinary technicians work a 40-hour week, although some work longer hours. Those who work in animal hospitals, research facilities, and animal shelters may need to work late shifts or night shifts, due to the fact that most of these places require a vet tech to be on duty 24 hours a day.

Individuals aspiring to become veterinary technicians need good communication skills, as a big part of the job involves interfacing with pet owners. They also need organizational skills and must be able to pay attention to detail. Seeing as most vet techs work closely with veterinarians, it is also important that individuals in this field be able to work well with others.

Employment Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL BLS) projects a much faster than average growth rate of jobs in this field over the next ten years, due mainly to the need to replace vet techs who will be lost to attrition. Another contributing factor to the projection is an anticipated scarcity of qualified technicians estimated to graduate from 2-year programs during that timespan.

At the present time, about 60% of pet owners take advantage of veterinary services for their pets. As pet owners become more affluent and more inclined to consider their pet part of their family, they will be more likely to take advantage of advanced veterinary care. Consequently, the percentage is expected to grow over the next several years, which in turn will increase employment opportunities in the veterinary field. The advancement of veterinary technology in such areas as surgery and preventive dental care will further increase job opportunities, especially for technicians who specialize in those areas.

The most competition for technician jobs will likely occur in zoos and aquariums because of the expected slow growth of these facilities combined with a high number of applicants for those types of positions. On the other hand, the demand for techs will increase in intensity at other types of venues such as biomedical facilities, diagnostic laboratories, wildlife facilities, humane societies, animal control facilities, drug or food manufacturing companies, and food safety inspection facilities.

Vet Tech Schools, Certification, and Licensing

Anyone wishing to enter this field would be well-served to take as many high school math, biology, and science courses as possible. Typically, those who aspire to become veterinary technicians should pursue a 2-year program leading to an associate degree in veterinary technology. Those who seek to become veterinary technologists should plan on enrolling in a 4-year program which leads to a bachelor's degree. Programs should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and should include both clinical and laboratory elements with the use of live animals. Graduation from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program will pave the way for candidates to take a credentialing exam in any state in the nation.

Presently there are over one hundred accredited veterinary technology programs offered at schools in over 40 states. These schools include junior colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, and distance learning facilities. Over a dozen colleges and universities offer four-year programs in veterinary technology. These colleges also offer two-year programs in laboratory animal science.

Requirements to become licensed vary by state; however, in addition to obtaining the necessary education, all states require candidates to take and pass some kind of certification exam regulated by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners or some other state agency. The exam will usually include a combination of oral, written, and practical sections. For most states, this exam is the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) test. States will generally accept transfer of passing scores from exams taken in a different state, provided the two states use the same exam.

In addition to state licensing, advanced credentials are always useful in this profession, and in some cases, necessary. Those seeking employment in a research facility should pursue an American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification. The AALAS certification focuses on three specific areas of expertise: animal health and welfare, animal husbandry, and facility administration and management. There are three levels of AALAS certification available: from lowest to highest, they are Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), and Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG). In order to earn an AALAS certification, individuals must satisfy a combination of education and experience requirements before taking the AALAS exam. Work experience must be in a laboratory animal facility and must be directly related to the maintenance, health, and well-being of laboratory animals. The AALAS exam consists of multiple-choice questions whose quantity and difficulty depends upon the level of certification being sought.

Resources for Vet Techs

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
• Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists
• Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians
• Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

Major Employers of Vet Techs

Approximately 90% of all veterinary technicians work in a veterinary service capacity. Common work venues include veterinarian's offices, private clinics and animal hospitals. Although less common, other potential employers of vet techs include boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, grooming salons, educational institutions, food safety inspection facilities, diagnostic laboratories, biomedical facilities, food manufacturing companies, humane societies, and wildlife facilities.

Schools for Vet Techs are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Vet Techs by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Vet Techs, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.