Job Description - Veterinary Technician and Technologist:
Veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists assist
veterinarians by conducting clinical and laboratory procedures in private clinics and animal hospitals. Some veterinary technicians and technologists work in research facilities. The job titles veterinary technician and veterinary technologist are often used interchangeably although the formal educational and training requirements for each is different.
Employment Facts - Veterinary Technicians and Technologists:
Veterinary technicians and technologists held about 80,000 jobs in 2008.
Educational Requirements - Veterinary Technicians and Technologists:
Aspiring veterinary technicians attend accredited, two-year veterinary technology programs at community colleges usually earning Associate degrees. Aspiring veterinary technologists attend four year programs and earn bachelor's degrees. Training for technicians and technologists consists of laboratory and clinical work with live animals. High school students interested in this field should take science,
biology and math courses.
Other Requirements - Veterinary Technicians and Technologists:
All states in the U.S. require graduates of both two and four year veterinary technology programs to take a credentialing exam. When one passes this test, he or she is considered licensed, registered or certified, depending on the state. Most states administer a national exam called the
Veterinary Technician National Exam. Passing scores are often transferable between states that use the same exam.
Those who want to become veterinary technicians and technologists must have good communication skills and the ability to work well with others. They must also be well-organized and able to pay attentio nto detail.
Advancement Opportunities - Veterinary Technicians and Technologists:
An entry level veterinary technician or technologist performs routine tasks under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, but will have greater responsibility and more general supervision as he or she becomes more experienced. Some veterinary technicians and technologists advance to supervisory jobs.
Job Outlook - Veterinary Technicians and Technologists:
The job outlook for veterinary technicians and technologists is excellent. These occupations are projected to
grow faster, through 2018, than other occupations that require post-secondary training or an associate degree (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Earnings - Veterinary Technicians and Technologists:
Veterinary technicians and technologists earned median hourly wages of $14.08 and median annual wages of $29,280 in 2009.
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much veterinary technicians currently earn in your city.
A Day in a Veterinary Technician's or Technologist's Life:
On a typical day a Veterinary Technician or Technologist may:
- perform medical tests on animals, including drawing blood and preparing tissue samples;
- treat and diagnose medical conditions and diseases;
- record case histories;
- take and develop x-rays;
- provide specialized nursing care;
- assist veterinarians with dental procedures;
- administer medication orally or topically;
- record information about a patient's food intake, weight, and clinical signs of pain or discomfort;
- euthanize seriously ill or injured animals;
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos183.htm (visited April 26, 2010).
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/29-2056.00 (visited December 8, 2010).
