Veterinary technicians are essentially animal nurses. They assist veterinarians in caring for and treating animals.
If you have a passion for animals, becoming a veterinary technician will give you the opportunity to work with them every day.
This is a typically fast–paced and exciting career that you can start as soon as two years after you graduate from high school.
Education and Training for Veterinary Technicians
Start by deciding whether you want to become a veterinary technician or a veterinary technologist.
The key difference between a veterinary technician and technologist is that a technician needs a two–year degree, while a technologist needs a four–year degree.
If you decide to be a veterinary technician, you need to earn an associate degree from an AVMA–accredited vet tech program.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) maintains a list of programs accredited by the organization.
In addition to accredited education and training, good vet techs have the following soft skills:
- empathy
- strong communication skills
- attention to detail
- strength to lift and reposition animals
- dexterity for small tools and delicate procedures
Veterinarian Technician Job Duties
More than half of a vet tech's duties are technical.
These duties include:
- assisting veterinarians with surgery and medical care
- providing nursing care for sick or injured animals
- dispensing and administering medicines and vaccines to animals
- completing routine blood work
- collecting samples and performing lab work
In a veterinary clinic setting, veterinary techs also communicate with pet owners to provide instructions for care.
Vet techs are also responsible for cleaning exam rooms and treatment areas as well as all veterinary equipment.
Especially in veterinary clinics, vet techs also take on a number of administrative tasks, including:
- calling pet owners
- updating records
- scheduling appointments
- restocking and inventory of supplies and retail products
Vet Tech Work Environment
Most vet techs work in private veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, caring for pets and local farm animals.
Some vet techs work in laboratories or research settings, zoological parks, or other nonprofit organizations.
Most vet techs are employed full–time. Because of the nature of their services, many vet techs work evening or weekend shifts.
The job can be both physically and emotionally demanding and requires a strong constitution.
Becoming a Veterinary Technician: Step by Step
Read on for more details on the skills and knowledge you need to become a vet tech so you can decide if this career is right for you.
Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or the Equivalent
To enroll in a vet tech program accredited by the AVMA, you must have a high school diploma or an equivalent diploma, such as a GED.
While you're in high school, focus on math and science classes, which will help you in your future career as a vet tech.
Try to work with animals as much as possible as well, such as at a pet food store, animal shelter, or pet grooming service.
Step 2: Enroll in an AVMA–Accredited Vet Tech Program
You can only become licensed or certified to practice as a veterinary technician if you attend an accredited program.
Veterinary technician programs are available at many community colleges, so you should have no problem finding a program locally.
The program ultimately leads to an associate degree in veterinary technology and can be completed in 18 to 24 months.
Step 3: Complete an Externship
As part of your accredited vet tech program, you'll work as a vet tech under supervision to get hands–on experience.
While all vet techs work under a veterinarian's supervision, these hours are completed under supervision by a senior vet tech.
Externships typically take place at local veterinary clinics or animal hospitals. Occasionally you might also work in a university lab.
Step 4: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
The VTNE is administered three times each year, either at PSI testing centers or with live remote proctoring.
The test covers the following general areas:
- office and hospital procedures, client relations, and communication
- pharmacy and pharmacology
- nursing
- anesthesia
- surgical nursing
- laboratory procedures
- imaging
- laboratory animal procedures
- avian, exotic, and small mammals procedures
Free practice exams are available from the website of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
While the AAVSB operates the VTNE, the organization does not issue certificates, licenses, or other credentials.
Step 5: Obtain State Registration or Licensing
After passing the VTNE, apply for licensure, certification, or registration from your state board.
Typically, applicants must pass a background check and present character references.
Some states also have a short exam on ethics that you have to pass before you can be licensed.
Your state's veterinary board will have the specific information you need to apply for registration, certification, or licensing in your state.
Average Salary of Veterinarian Technicians
Vet techs earn an average salary of $40,770 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Vet techs working in scientific research earn a lot more, about $62,030 a year on average.
Within scientific research, pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing pays the best — about $72,540 per year on average.
Top–paying states for vet techs include Washington, California, New York, the District of Columbia, and Alaska.
Veterinary Tech Job Outlook
The BLS projects the employment of vet techs to grow 20% from 2021 to 2031, which is a rate much faster than the average for all occupations.
The growth is largely attributed to the fact that the number of households with pets continues to increase, leading to increased demand.
According to the BLS, there will be about 15,500 openings for vet techs nationwide each year.
With this kind of job growth, it's never been a better time to launch your career as a veterinary technician.
Learn About Becoming a Veterinary Technician Today
Reach out to Best Accredited Colleges today on how to become a veterinary technician.
