Vet techs are like nurses for animals.
A veterinary technician is a professional member of the veterinary team. Many people call them nurses, since they do the majority of the nursing care in a vet clinic. However, their job encompasses more than human nurses. They are trained in laboratory procedures, dentistry, radiology, surgery and anesthesia. They support the veterinarian in clinical procedures. Some work in all aspects of the hospital, assisting in exam rooms, with treatments and with hospitalized pets. What they are not allowed to do is diagnose conditions, prescribe medication or perform surgery.
Education
Surgical assisting and running anesthesia are duties of the veterinary technician.
Schools last either two or four years, and lead to an associate or bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. An internship must be included. In order to become credentialed, the school must be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and a student will be expected to pass the national veterinary technician exam. Along with science and math, classes include medical terminology, anesthesia, laboratory procedures, surgical assisting and radiology. There are more than 100 accredited schools, including several providing distance learning.
Credentials
Not all states require vet techs to be credentialed. For the ones that do, there are three different credentials determined by the state. Veterinary technicians can become certified, registered or licensed. One must first graduate from an AVMA school and pass the national exam. Paying dues, being a member of the state association and completing continuing education requirements are usually needed. Check with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) or with the local state chapter to find out more about credentialing.
Duties
Taking X-rays is just one vet tech duty.
Technicians are skilled in animal restraint and patient care. Responsibilities can include obtaining specimens such as blood or urine and performing laboratory testing, taking X-rays and doing dental cleanings. Technicians can administer medications and vaccines under a doctor's supervision. They assist in surgery and run anesthesia. Many technicians even schedule their own appointments to draw pre-surgical blood, change bandages or remove sutures. And they do much of the client education, whether in person or on the phone.
Specialties
Technicians can now become specialized after receiving training in a specific area. There are seven academies of specialties recognized by NAVTA. Vet technicians can specialize in equine, zoo, dentistry, internal medicine, anesthesia, behavior or emergency and critical care. They must be working in that field for a certain number of years, work on special cases, keep detailed logs and take continuing education in that area, plus pass a certification test. It is possible to become specialized in more than one area.
Jobs
A zoo is one of the many places where a vet tech can work.
The majority of vet techs work in veterinary clinics and hospitals. They can work with small animals, like dogs and cats, or large animals, including horses and farm animals. Some practices also see exotics--birds, reptiles and rodents. There are many specialty hospitals as well, doing work in emergency, internal medicine or advanced surgery. Techs can also be seen in zoos, universities, shelters and research facilities. Some teach veterinary technician students, while others work as in veterinary equipment sales.
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