How to Become a Veterinary Technician

Have you ever considered becoming a veterinary technician? If so, then you’ll want to read this blog post. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to become a veterinary technician, from the education requirements to the skills you’ll need to succeed in this career.

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Introduction

A career as a veterinary technician, also known as a vet tech can be both rewarding and challenging. As a vet tech you will work closely with animals and their owners to provide quality care. You will need to have excellent communication skills and be able to work well under pressure. If you are interested in this career, you will need to complete a veterinary technician program at an accredited school.

What Does a Veterinary Technician Do?

A veterinary technician is a medical professional who works closely with veterinarians to provide animal care. Veterinary technicians typically have an associate’s degree in veterinary technology, although some may have a bachelor’s degree. They must also pass a state-administered examination to become certified.

Veterinary technicians typically work in veterinary hospitals or clinics, although some may work in research laboratories or zoos. They may assist with animal surgeries, provide nursing care for sick animals, take X-rays and prescribe medications. Some veterinary technicians may also teach classes or give presentations on animal care.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician

The first step to becoming a veterinary technician is to complete a veterinary technician program. There are many different types of veterinary technician programs available, so it is important to do some research to find the right one for you. Once you have completed a veterinary technician program, you must then pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). After passing the VTNE, you will be credentialed as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).

Education

Education requirements for veterinary technicians vary by state but most states require the completion of an accredited two-year veterinary technology program. These programs include classroom, laboratory and clinical work in the areas of animal nursing, anesthesia, pharmacology, surgery, diagnostic imaging and other areas. Many programs offer a combination of classroom and online instruction. After completing a veterinary technology program, students must pass a standardized national examination to become credentialed as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).

Certification

The National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). To be eligible to take the voluntary certification examination, candidates must have successfully completed an accredited veterinary technology program and have worked as a veterinary technician for at least one year. The certification examination consists of 170 multiple-choice questions that cover the following topics:

-Animal Nursing
-Anesthesia
-Clinical Pathology
-Dental Health
-Diagnostic Imaging
-Pharmacology
-Surgery
-Veterinary Public Health and Zoonoses
To maintain certification, technicians must complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years.

Licensure

Veterinary technicians usually need to be licensed in the state where they work. Requirements for licensure generally include completing an accredited veterinary technology program and passing a state-licensed examination.

Continuing education is often required to maintain licensure. Some states require that veterinary technicians complete a certain number of continuing education credits every year in order to remain licensed. To learn more about licensing requirements in your state, contact your state’s Board of Veterinary Examiners or visit the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America website.

What Are the Job Prospects for Veterinary Technicians?

The job outlook for veterinary technicians is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for veterinary technicians will grow 19 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for animal health services is expected to increase as the pet population continues to grow. In addition, an aging population of pet owners is expected to need more veterinary care as their pets age.

Conclusion

There are many different ways to become a veterinary technician. The most common path is to complete a two-year Associates degree in veterinary technology from an accredited community college or technical school. Many programs also offer four-year Bachelor’s degree programs. Alternatively, you can become certified through a number of professional organizations, such as the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Lastly, you can also complete on-the-job training through a veterinarian or other animal health professional. No matter which path you choose, make sure you are prepared to work hard and care for animals in need.

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