What is a Veterinary Technician?
Veterinary technicians primarily function as professional technical
support to veterinarians, biomedical researchers, and other scientists.
Through the 1950s, veterinarians trained their own employees, delegating
routine tasks and procedures as they saw fit. These on-the-job trained
individuals were designated animal assistants, animal attendants, and
veterinary assistants and were trained to meet the needs of an individual
practice. If people wanted to move to another practice, they would have to
start over again being trained in the ways of the new practice.
To
meet the technical demands of an expanding veterinary profession and a
more mobile population, formal academic programs started appearing in the
1960s.
Today there are over 100 veterinary technology programs in the
United States that educate veterinary technicians. In order to maintain a
standard of excellence these programs are accredited by the American
Veterinary Medical Association. The course of study in these programs
entails at least two academic years, leading to an Associate of Science or
equivalent degree with four-year Bachelor of Science degrees available at
some institutions. During high school, would-be veterinary technicians are
encouraged to enroll in college preparatory courses in science, math and
English.
In today's fast-paced, high-tech world, veterinarians and
other scientists must maintain high standards of animal care. The
veterinary technician can be an enormous help. The technician possesses
the skills to handle many aspects of patient care, as well as many
laboratory procedures.
What are some examples of the technical duties I would perform?
Examples of the areas of responsibility qualified veterinary
technicians are educated to assume include:
- Physical Examination and Patient History
- Client Education
- Caring for the Hospitalized Patient
- Administration of Medication and Vaccines
- Clinical Laboratory Procedures
- Dental Prophylaxis
- Radiology
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Assisting
- Office/ Hospital Management
- Biomedical Research
In
addition to many of the above areas of responsibility, veterinary
technicians in research may also: supervise the operation of research
colonies and facilities; assist in the design and implementation of
research projects.
What career opportunities are there?
The first job for about 85% of graduate veterinary technicians is in a
private veterinary practice, with companion animal practice leading the
list. However, the demand for veterinary technicians in other fields is
rapidly growing.
Opportunities exist in the following areas:
- Teaching
- Military Service
- Humane Societies
- Herd Health Managers
- Industry
- Biomedical Research
- Diagnostic Laboratories
- Zoo/Wildlife Medicine
- Veterinary Supplies Sales
In approximately 40 states and provinces,
veterinary technicians are certified, registered, or licensed. Candidates
are tested for competency through an examination which may include oral,
written, and practical portions.
This process is regulated by a State
Board of Veterinary Examiners, or the appropriate state agency. Practice
acts, legislated by states and provinces, often define the responsibilities
of the veterinary technician. These responsibilities and duties are dependent
in part on the type of employment the individual chooses.
Want to know more?
Veterinary
Technology offers a challenging career in a rewarding health care
profession for mature and motivated individuals. If you are a self starter
who likes to work with people and animals, then a career as a veterinary
technician may be for you!
You can register online for
MCC's Veterinary Technology classes, or call us and we can make an appointment
for you to come in and see what we have to offer.
Please contact Jill Sheport for comments
or corrections email phone:
480-461-7488
