Veterinary Technician Qualifications

Veterinary technicians are licensed professionals who are trained to help or assist veterinarians. They have the skills and training to perform venipuncture, skin scrapings, do routine lab procedures and many more. They can be also called as an animal technicians or technologists.

Responsibilities

Pet owners and other animals nowadays expect good veterinary care. Many Veterinarians get help from veterinary technicians or veterinary technologists, these two can perform many of the same duties for a veterinarian like a nurse would for a physician. There is also a difference in the task of a veterinary technician and a veterinary technologist. Aside from the difference in formal education and training, many of the veterinary technicians work in private clinical practice while the veterinary technologists have options to work in an advanced research - related jobs. These two mostly conduct works in the clinic in private under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Aside from working in a clinical setting, veterinary technologists and technicians can work in research facilities, too, under a guidance of licensed veterinarians and physicians. In this case, they can prepare samples for laboratory examinations and record information about the animals.

During surgery, veterinary technicians mainly assist veterinarians during surgery by giving the right equipment and tools and also by checking on the machines and any other equipments and making sure that they are working properly. They can also maintain records and inventory of all the equipments and supplies.

Qualifications

To become a veterinary technician, one must have a love for animals and a knowledge of the profession. A veterinary technician should acquire formal education through an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology. This is preferably from a school or program accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA). Having a bachelor’s degree is just a part of the many qualifications of a veterinary technician, though. Prior to licensing, a candidate is also required to serve a certain number of hours on internship, for practical experience.

Aside from the education, knowledge and experience, veterinary technicians should be able to communicate well, simply because their job will often involve dealing directly with pet owners. Veterinary technicians should be able to work with teams too. They should be able to establish a rapport with veterinarians and other veterinary technicians.

Veterinary technicians should also practice good organization, as they are often tasked to assist with tools and equipment during surgery, and also in the administering and stocking of medication.

Being a good listener is also an important quality, because one will need to communicate well with pet owners and even the patients, to arrive at better diagnoses of potential sicknesses and threats to an animal.

Professionalism is a must, too. A veterinary technician should be able to handle the physical and emotional rigors of working in an environment where animals might be uncooperative or even violent. Working as a veterinary technician involves some risks and dangers, particularly because of the need to physically handle animals, which can sometimes bite, scratch and bump.