Vet Tech Real Life Review

Veterinary technicians, also called veterinary technologists, fill roles similar to a nurse. Vet techs work under the supervision of veterinarians, providing expert care to animals and their owners. Having natural love for animals, they aim to give the utmost care to their patients, the animals, helping ease the pain and discomfort and rallying for quality care be given to pets, large animals and wildlife. A vet tech’s work entails assessment, history taking and recording, obtaining specimens and performing laboratory procedures, assisting in diagnostics and operations, and even rendering specialized care to the sick and dying animals.

Being a vet tech is not an easy task. Their work involves diverse environments – from clinics and animal hospitals, to the zoos and even fieldwork, including the wild. They care for animals from womb to tomb, since they assist in birthing and care also for the dying. Because of the emotional involvement they could possibly have with the animals, working with the dying—or even assisting in the process—may take its toll on them. This may seem unpleasant, heart wrenching, and even dangerous, but vet techs must be accustomed to this type of work and remain professional yet empathetic.

Veterinary technicians must obtain certification as required by the state board in one’s jurisdiction. Generally, a diploma from a two to four year vet tech education program and an on-the-job clinical training is required. An accredited program in veterinary technology is required in order to have a certification and diploma. Completion for continuing education hours per year is needed, with required number of hours varying from one state to the other. Ongoing updates and education is important to maintain the certified or licensed status of vet techs. This assures the clients that the vet tech has apt and current knowledge and skills and that one is actively involved in veterinary medicine. Internships and externships are part of the career as a veterinary technician. Hands-on clinical experience is a must in order to become a skilled vet tech.

Employment for veterinary technicians is growing along with the number of pet owners. There are 30,000 estimated job openings for vet techs in different fields of veterinary medicine. A 42 percent career growth is predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics due to the increased number of affluent pet owners who seek to have intensive pet care for their animals. The average salary of a vet tech per hour runs across $11 and $16. When working fulltime, the NAVTA report on annual income indicates that the average vet tech salary was $42,500 per year in 2003. These figures are estimated and may vary from state to state.

Benefits of a full-time vet tech include vacation pay, holiday pay, sick leave, 401 plan and health benefits. Like any profession, more experienced and qualified vet techs have the opportunity to earn higher salaries. Experience and depth of knowledge entails a good clinical background, deep understanding of the profession, and a strong knowledge base. These, then, will equate to a higher earning potential and career growth. At the end of the day, the main responsibility of veterinary technicians is to render quality care to animals.