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Want to know how to become a vet tech? Here’s everything you need to know, from what vet techs do to the education and training required.
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Introduction
Vet techs play an important role in the animal healthcare industry, providing critical support to veterinarians and other medical professionals. If you love animals and have a passion for helping others, a career as a vet tech may be the perfect fit for you!
Becoming a vet tech requires completing a formal education program, passing a national exam, and obtaining state licensure. While the process may seem daunting at first, we’re here to help – read on to learn more about how to become a vet tech.
What Does a Vet Tech Do?
A vet tech is a medically trained professional who works alongside veterinarians to provide animal care. vet techs are responsible for a variety of tasks, such as restraining animals during examinations, collecting lab samples, and performing diagnostic tests. If you’re interested in a career in veterinary medicine, then becoming a vet tech is a great place to start.
Vet tech job Duties
Working alongside veterinarians, vet techs provide important medical care for animals. They may administer shots and vaccines, take X-rays, assist with surgeries, and provide other types of patient care. They also may collect lab samples, perform dental cleanings, fill prescriptions, and offer general animal husbandry and husbandry advice. In some states, they may even be allowed to prescribe certain medications.
In order to become a licensed vet tech, individuals must complete an accredited veterinary technology program and pass a state examination. Some states also require continuing education credits in order to maintain licensure. Vet techs typically work in private clinics or hospitals, although they may also find employment at animal shelters, zoos, or research facilities.
Vet Tech Skills
The role of a vet tech is to support the veterinarian in providing animal care. A vet tech is an important member of the animal health care team and may perform a variety of tasks, including:
-Restraining animals during examination and treatment
-Collecting blood, urine, and tissue samples
-Performing routine laboratory tests
-Administering medications and vaccinations
-Assisting with dental procedures
-Preparing animals for surgery
-Monitoring animals during surgery
-Providing postoperative care
How to Become a Vet Tech
A veterinary technician is a vital part of any veterinary team. They are responsible for providing support to the veterinarian, as well as working directly with animal patients. If you love animals and are looking for a career in the medical field, then becoming a vet tech may be the perfect fit for you!
Steps to Becoming a Vet Tech
A career as a veterinary technician, also called a vet tech, can be very rewarding. Vet techs are vital members of the veterinary healthcare team. They work closely with veterinarians and help them provide care for animals.
If you enjoy working with animals and have a desire to help them, then a career as a vet tech may be for you. This article will show you the steps you need to take to become a vet tech.
1. Complete a Veterinary Technician Program
The first step to becoming a vet tech is to complete an accredited veterinary technician program. These programs are typically two-year associate’s degree programs, but there are also four-year bachelor’s degree programs available.
2. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
After completing your veterinary technician program, you must then pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). The VTNE is a national exam that all states use to certify veterinary technicians.
3. Get Licensed or Registered in Your State
Once you have passed the VTNE, you must then get licensed or registered in your state before you can begin working as a veterinary technician. Each state has different requirements for licensure or registration, so be sure to check with your state’s licensing board before beginning the process.
4. Find a Job
After you have completed all of the steps above, you are now ready to find a job as a veterinary technician. There are many different places that hire vet techs, such as animal hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and research facilities. You can search for job openings online or in your local area.
Vet Tech Education
Most vet techs have at least an Associate’s degree in veterinary technology, although some have a Bachelor’s degree. Programs typically take 2-4 years to complete and include classroom, laboratory, and clinical work.
There is currently no standardization of veterinary technician programs across the united states but most programs cover similar topics such as animal anatomy, physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, and medical terminology. Students also complete practical training in areas such as animal nursing, anesthesia, diagnostic procedures, and surgical assisting.
Some states require vet techs to be licensed or registered. To be eligible for licensure or registration, candidates typically must graduate from an accredited vet tech program and pass a state-administered exam.
Vet Tech Certification
Vet techs typically need to complete a 2-year associate degree from an accredited community college or technical school, although some 4-year colleges also offer vet tech programs. Admission to these programs is often competitive, and students may need to complete prerequisite coursework in math and science before beginning the program.
After completing their formal education, vet techs must then pass a state-specific exam to become licensed or certified in their state. Some states also require vet techs to complete continuing education credits on a regular basis in order to maintain their license.
Vet Tech Salary and job outlook
The median annual wage for veterinary technicians and technologists was $33,400 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,490.
In May 2016, the median annual wages for veterinary technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
$33,770 for scientific research and development services
$32,860 for management of companies and enterprises
$31,180 for social advocacy organizations
$30,950 for elementary and secondary schools
$30,820 for advertising and related services
$30,590 for state government, excluding education and hospitals
FAQs
Q: How do I become a vet tech?
A: In order to become a vet tech, you will need to complete a two-year associate’s degree from an accredited veterinary technology program. Alternatively, you can also choose to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. Once you have completed your educational requirements, you will then need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) in order to become certified and licensed in your state.
Q: What does a vet tech do?
A: A vet tech is responsible for assisting veterinarians in the care of animals. They may help with routine procedures such as vaccinations and routine exams, or they may assist with more complex procedures such as surgeries. Vet techs may also be responsible for taking x-rays, performing laboratory tests, and providing customer service.
Q: How much does a vet tech make?
A: The average vet tech makes $33,000 per year. However, salaries can range from $28,000 to $38,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
Q: Where can I work as a vet tech?
A: Vet techs can work in private veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, zoos, research laboratories, and more.
