Pet and animal owners today expect the most superior health care available to them. This is where veterinarians and veterinary technicians and technologists come into play. Love and compassion for people and animals are the two main requirements for a veterinary technician and technologist, but schooling, internship, experience, and projected salary are all factors to consider when deciding if becoming a veterinary technician would be right for you. Though hard work and dedication, your dream of working with animals as a vet tech can be made into a reality.
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN AND TECHNOLOGIST TRAINING
There are two steps that have to be accomplished to become an accredited veterinary tech. The first is graduating from a 2 year or 4 year technical program for aspiring veterinary techs, depending on how in depth a person desires their training to be. A vet technician can usually obtain their certificate from a two year technical school, but to become a veterinary technologist, a person must obtain a degree from a four year university. A few veterinary technician schools may offer courses to obtain a degree to become a technologist. Whether a person desires to become a vet technician or technologist, they both need to be careful to choose a technical school or university that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The second requirement is to take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).
The AAVSB, or American Association of Veterinary State Boards, has identified seven major areas of expertise typical of a veterinary technician. These areas are dentistry procedures, animal nursing, anesthesia, surgical prep and assisting, radiology and ultrasound, laboratory procedures, and pharmacy and pharmacology. They also need to be totally familiar with all laboratory and medical equipment required in doing surgery and laboratory work.
After completing a veterinary course, the student must pass the VTNE as previously mentioned. The VTNE has oral, written, and practical portions that have to be completed. This exam is designed to access the competency level of each applicant. It also guarantees to the public and prospective employers that the veterinary tech is capable enough to complete all duties that would be required by them either in a veterinary hospital or clinic.
When a veterinary tech enters the work field, he or she will work under the close supervision of a licensed vet tech or a veterinarian for on the job training in working with and caring for animals. Some of these animals are hurt and scared and can easily become unruly with fear.
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN AND TECHNOLOGIST SCHOOLS
To help you start your vet tech career today, here are a few schools you might want to consider:
1.Arizona
Brown Mackie College — Phoenix
13430 N. Black Canyon Hwy
Suite 190
Phoenix, AZ 85029
1.602.337.3044
1.866.824.4793
This degree program offers coursework focused on animal safety, nursing, recordkeeping, grooming, and more. Graduates can pursue employment in a variety of settings, including:
* veterinary hospitals
* animal clinics
* humane societies
* boarding kennels
* zoos
Brown Mackie college also offers a unique one course a month schedule, hands on learning to better prepare you for your career, small class sizes, and job search assistance for all graduates.
2. Vet Tech Institute
4669 Southwest Fwy
Houston, TX 77027
800.275.2736
Complete the program in 18 months! Job placement assistance after graduation: 90%* of our graduates seeking employment were placed! An on site kennel housing dogs, cats and rodents: Gain hands-on experience with a variety of different animals. Access to a local large animal rescue farm: Students work with horses, goats and pigs. The Veterinary Technician Program is accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
3. Veterinary Research Technology Program
4616 S. Shields
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
970.226.2500
The program provides training in veterinary health and the handling of a variety of animals from the domestic to the exotic, as well as laboratory animals encountered in a veterinary practice or biomedical research setting. The VET program is a full time, with most classes held during daytime hours. After two semesters, students intern in a private clinical setting to gain beginning veterinary technician experience. The last semester students apply the knowledge and skills they have obtained while on clinical rotations at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
4. Pima Community College
Veterinary Technology Program
8181 E. Irvington Road
Tucson, AZ 85709-4000
520-206-7414
Learn to provide veterinary care to animals, including nutrition, nursing, anesthesiology, radiography and clinical laboratory procedures. Gain practical experience in clinic settings. This program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Complete this program exclusively on weekdays.
5. Penn Foster College
Veterinary Technician Distance Education Program
143000 N. Northsight Road, Suite 120
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
800-275-4410
Learn valuable skills with these courses and more including Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Mathematics, Veterinary Office Management, Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging. This program does require students to enroll in a nine-week practicum at the end of Semesters two and four.
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN AND TECHNOLOGIST SALARY
Over the past decade the average annual salary for a vet tech was around $30,000. The top ten percent of earners waged around $40,000, while the bottom ten percent of earners waged around $21,000. These numbers are represented by salaries across the United States and of course varies from state to state since location plays a big factor in salary range.
There are other financial factors to consider while taking into consideration a career in veterinary technologies. Most vet techs will be offered benefits such as sick leave, vacation and holiday pay, health benefits, as well as a 401 k plan. In line with most careers, the more experience a vet tech acquires, the more income they can expect to earn.
Comments on this entry are closed.