Veterinary Technician Job Description

Veterinary Technician Job Description

Veterinary technicians/technologists, also known as vet techs, work with either veterinarians or scientists, often in clinical settings.  A veterinary tech assists with treatments and procedures of the veterinarian with animals the way a nurse would assist a physician with human patients.  (Also, the title of “vet techs” is different from “vet assistants“; they’re different jobs.)

The work locations can vary. Some common work places may include:

  • small office settings
  • 24/7 pet hospitals
  • animal shelters
  • laboratories
  • animal research facilities
  • zoos
  • racetracks
  • boarding kennels
  • rescue agencies

As can be seen above, a veterinary technician job description can’t really be pinned down since the duties could fluctuate from day to day and are largely dependent on the work location.  Overall, vet tech responsibilities might include:

Lab work

  • To collect specimens, such as urine, blood, stool, and any tissue samples deemed relevant for a testing procedure of some kind.
  • To actually perform lab tests, like a urinalysis, inspections to detect heartworms, feline leukemia testing, and blood counts for any of the animals.
  • To develop and take X-rays.

Surgical Settings

  • To sterilize all of the operating instruments that may have been used during the examination.
  • Assisting with any dental procedures.
  • Preparing the clients and/or the animals for a surgical procedure.
  • Animal anesthesia administration.
  • Assisting with euthanizing seriously ill or injured animals.

Examinations

  • Asking detailed questions about the animal visit.
  • Record the animal’s vitals.
  • Stabilizing and restraining the animals for an examination or some other treatment that may be necessary.
  • Removing sutures and trimming the animal’s nails during a follow-up visit.
  • Medication administration.

Office Management

  • Must maintain accurate billing information and the animal records.
  • Be responsible for the training of other employees.
  • Organize and cleanse the procedure rooms.

Customer Service and Reception

In addition, vet techs should be good communicators, very detail-oriented, and, of course, love animals.

veterinary technician job descriptionHOW TO BECOME A VET TECH:

Before we continue, you should know there are 2 types of vet techs:  veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists.  Though both are referred to as “vet techs,” they’re slightly different in the type of education a person would need to be both (more on this in the next paragraph).  Vet technologies tend to work in research and labs more too and might even enjoy a higher salary.

Both types of vet techs, however, need to have finished high school and then roll in a vet tech training program.  Vet technicians need to find a 2-year program for    veterinary technicians and complete it.  Vet technologists require even more schooling:  a 4-year bachelor’s degree in vet technology.  In order for the degree to mean anything, the programs, whether for vet technicians or technologies, need to be accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

Luckily there are plenty of AVMA-accredited programs:  191 programs for vet technicians, 21 four-year vet technology programs, and 8 online programs.

CLICK HERE to find AVMA-accredited programs in your state and also online programs.

LICENSING AND VET TECH CERTIFICATION

When finished with the coursework, candidates need to take and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) in order to enter the profession.  When trying to figure which vet tech training program to enroll in, it might be smart to inquire if they offer help (i.e., coursework) in passing the VTNE.

Once successfully finished with this test, the future vet tech must then fulfill his state’s licensing requirements.  Each state is different, but most should have a website that will tell you what its licensing requirements are.

CLICK HERE for the licensing requirements for your state.

For recently graduated vet technologists who desire work in research or a lab, they can check out the AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Science) website.  There are AALAS three certificate levels–assistant laboratory animal technician (ALAT), laboratory animal technician (LAT), and laboratory animal technologist (LATG)–that makes potential vet technologists very attractive to such employers.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT FOR VET TECHS

With these qualifications and skills, any vet tech may take advantage of this field’s job growth, which is expected to increase by 52% within this decade (2010-2020).  Salaries have also increased, and the highest-paid vet techs can be found in research and federal government agencies.

Of course, vet technicians who desire to advance, they can end up being veterinarians, which requires more education.  Whichever profession you choose, though, the pet population has increased and job opportunities dealing with animal health will continue to grow.

Well, we hope this article has provided a thorough enough veterinary technician job description for your needs.  And please leave a comment if you get a chance and check out this site’s other pages for more info.  Good luck!