However, before you take the final call, you must consider one more important aspect of this job. The Veterinary technician jobs can at times be dangerous too. According to a report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the injury rate in this job was much higher than the national average. You may have to deal with hostile pets. If such issues don't bother you and your love for animals is immense then probably this is the right career for you.
What Does the Job Involve?
Veterinary technician jobs can be compared to the job of a nurse. What a nurse would do for a physician, the same kind of duties a veterinary technician would do for a veterinarian. The duties could range from administrative work to handling patients to performing laboratory tests. You would also be required to help in the surgery by preparing patients for surgery and sanitizing. If your area of interest lies more towards research, you can also have the option of working with research related institutes as well.
Qualifications/Skills Needed
A 2-year degree from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited community college could get you an entry in this field. You also have the option of opting for one- year bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. A background in science, math and biology helps in this field. If you cannot attend the regular school you can also opt for distance learning. Many schools have this facility.
Once you have the required qualification with you, you will need to pass the State credentialing exam. Each State has its own regulation and to be able to work in the particular State you will have to clear the exam in that State. You will be tested through oral, written and practical exams based on the guidelines of that State. In case of National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam, you can transfer your scores from one State to another.
Apart from the formal qualifications for success in Veterinary technician careers, it is very important to have excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team. You will also need to be extremely sensitive and alert as you will be dealing with sick animals. Attention to details and organizational abilities are also the skills which cannot be missed.
Growth Prospects
Veterinary technician jobs have sufficient scope for growth. As you gain experience, you can reach to the level of supervisors. Employment is also expected to grow, as is clearly evident from the report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor. According to the report, 'Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow 36 percent over the 2008-18 projection period, which is much faster than the average for all occupations'.
Conclusion
With more and more people looking at pets as companions, the demand for Veterinary services is bound to increase. People now look for advanced veterinary service for their pets. This is one field which will never get affected by the economic recession. So, why not give Veterinary technician careers a try. You will not regret.
