Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

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Duties

What do veterinary technicians and technologists normally do?

• Observe animal behavior and health.
• Provide emergency first aid or nursing care to wounded or ill animals.
• Take care of your pets by bathing them, clipping their nails, and brushing or cutting their hair.
• Animals should be restrained throughout examinations and operations.
• Monitor animals' reactions to anesthetic and provide it if necessary.
• Collect and test samples at the laboratory, such as urinalyses and blood counts, and do x-rays when necessary.
• Set up the animals and tools for surgical procedures
• Assist a veterinarian by administering recommended drugs, vaccinations, and treatments
• Compile and maintain a database of animal cases.
• Veterinary technologists and technicians provide a wide range of clinical, care, and laboratory duties in addition to assisting veterinarians during examinations of animals.
• They guarantee that animals are treated humanely by veterinary technologists and technicians who work in research. Research efforts in fields like as biomedical research, emergency preparedness, and food safety may benefit from the assistance of these animals as well.
• Small-animal veterinary technologists and technicians may also be called upon to work with mice, cattle, or other animals in their day-to-day duties.
• Dentistry, anesthesia, emergency and critical care, and zoological medicine are some of the specialties available to veterinary technologists and technicians.

In most cases, veterinary technicians operate under the supervision of a scientist or veterinarian in more advanced research roles. There are some medical technicians who work for themselves in private offices. A majority of their time is spent working in a laboratory setting, where they may give drugs, produce tissue samples for testing, or record data on an animal's ancestry, weight, food, and symptoms of distress.

It is common for veterinarians to employ veterinary technicians to assist them in private clinical clinics under their direct supervision. There are a range of diagnostic tests that technicians may assist veterinarians with, including a urinalysis. Technicians operate in a laboratory, but they also interact with animal owners. If a veterinarian prescribes medicine, they explain how to give it, for example.

Education

They often have a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology, which is four years in length. In order to become a veterinary technician, one must acquire a two-year degree in veterinary technology. Veterinary technology programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). For veterinary technicians, most of these institutions provide a two-year associate's degree and four-year bachelor's degrees.

By completing biology and other scientific classes in high school, those who want to become veterinary technicians or technologists can get a head start.

Registration, Licenses, and Certifications

Although veterinary technologists and technicians are governed differently by each state, the majority of applicants must complete a certification test. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards' VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) is required for most states' techs and technicians.

Qualities that matter

The ability to communicate effectively. Animal owners, managers, and other staff members all interact with veterinary technologists and technicians. Pet owners are increasingly turning to professionals for advice on animal care and feeding.

Compassion. Technicians in the field of veterinary medicine are expected to handle animals with compassion and tact when working with pet owners and their sick pets, respectively.

Dedicated to accuracy and precision. Technicians and technologists in the veterinary field must pay close attention to detail. Recording information, conducting diagnostic tests, and delivering medicine must be done accurately.

Dexterity in the hands. These technicians and technologists must be careful when handling animals as well as medical equipment. Dental procedures, anesthetic administration, and x-rays all require a steady touch.

Strength of body. There are several jobs in the veterinary field that need the ability to lift and manage animals.

Pay

The median annual wage for veterinary technologists and technicians was $45,980 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,880.

Job Projections

Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.