A vet technician is an individual who carries out certain responsibilities and duties in the office of veterinarian and is qualified in many skills to help the veterinarian. One can take a vet technician as the animal nurse. These technicians assist in taking care of animals, and are well skilled to do some tests and procedures. However it can not diagnose or treat animals devoid of supervision of any licensed and expert veterinarian.
A vet technician acts as an assistant of the veterinarian and helps the veterinarian in many ways. Vet technicians typically have the capabilities to:
- Take a history of patient
- Collect samples of urine
- Provide actions for regular concerns
- Develop and take radiographs or X rays
- Record an animal's temperature
- Administer medication and dress wounds
- Perform tube feedings and carry out intravenous feeding
The minimum academic qualifications to become a good vet technician are 2 year program qualified by the American Veterinary Medical Association or AVMA. For some veterinarian offices, this program can act as a pertinent degree while some individuals can carry on for 4 year bachelor degrees. In any veterinarian technician program, clinical experience is considered a must for almost all students. This clinical experience is also known as practicum and externship, which is most of the times a time period of 1 to 3 months functioning in any reputed veterinary office under the supervision of any expert as well as licensed veterinarian. After getting these clinical hours, the candidates should take the VTNE or Veterinary Technician National Exam to get a license for work. The regulations for licensing and certifications may vary greatly from one state to another; therefore one is required to have a look at all the rules and regulations before proceeding.
A veterinary technician should have keen observation and the capability to make quick decisions. He should have excellent communication skills as there may arise a need to communicate with people of different characters or personalities. There are several training programs offered by certain reputed institutions in United States which offer certification for becoming a qualified veterinarian technician. In order to improve the chances of becoming a vet technician, it is must to attend AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) approved program for all candidates. Attending this training program is also vital for the reason that it displays one's training to become at the niche of 'professional excellence'.
Having tremendous office skills are also highly demanded in vet techs as sometimes they may also have to work in reception area scheduling appointments, greeting clients, and answering phones. Knowledge of basic computer skills is also demanded as jobs often include altering pet logs on the system and printing and creating invoices.
If one wants to enjoy huge earnings in the employment of a veterinary technician, it is recommended that they should enter in the field after gaining a lot of experience. It is merely because of this that experienced ones have more chances of promotion as they are more familiar with their work and are experts in their work.
Most vet technicians are usually employed in classified veterinary offices; however there is growing stipulation for veterinary technicians in various other employment prospects. The graduates of vet tech may get employment opportunities in zoos, wildlife refuges, supply sales, human societies, and biomedical research laboratories, among others. The vet technicians who pursue a 4 year degree (bachelors) possess the most complimentary job prospects and higher wages available. You can look for job advertisements in newspapers and on online job portals. There are immense opportunities.
When it comes to median wages of veterinary technicians, they earn about $33,000 annually. With experience you have more chances of earning more money.
Overall, this job is perfect for those who love to be with animals and genuinely care for them.
