What if you could translate your love for animals and your concern for their welfare into your daily job? Becoming a Veterinary Technician would then get you to work with a spring in your step and hope in your heart to lend a skilled helping hand to veterinarians in healing precious lives that can voice ... Continue Reading
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Explore Career What if you could translate your love for animals and your concern for their welfare into your daily job? Becoming a Veterinary Technician would then get you to work with a spring in your step and hope in your heart to lend a skilled helping hand to veterinarians in healing precious lives that can voice neither their suffering nor relief. Thankfully, you will be part of a team that can understand and care for the animals while empathising with their owners.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician?
A Veterinary Technician would typically need to:
Since Veterinary Technicians typically work in animal clinics and hospitals, much of their work is in sterile indoor conditions. Certain species must be cared for outdoors, where you may face extreme weather conditions. Vet Techs typically wear basic clean and protective clothing, adding on necessary protective gear to suit the work environment, the animals to be looked after and the nature of the work.
If Vet Techs are employed to assist with laboratory research projects, they must often work in warm and humid conditions and controlled artificial lighting. Safety gear, including masks, gloves, goggles and shoe covers, are typically mandatory for self-protection and to maintain hygienic working conditions.
Vets may also work in other outdoor and indoor environments, such as farms, wildlife preserves, zoos, farms, aquariums, animal sanctuaries, kennels, pharmaceutical companies, laboratories and research facilities.
The work is typically physically strenuous, given the lifting, bending and pressure required to hold, clean and restrain animals during examination and treatment procedures and clean cages. There is also the risk of injury if scared or aggressive animals bite, scratch or kick. Seeing the animals suffer and empathise with pet owners can also be emotionally challenging.
Veterinary Technicians typically work 40 or more hours a week on a shift basis, including some early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays, to ensure animal care around the clock, particularly since some vet practices operate 24 hours. You may need to remain on call on a rota basis for emergencies. Experienced Vet Techs with advanced qualifications may be able to work part time
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Veterinarian Technicians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting veterinary practices and other relevant employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies. Veterinarian Technicians may choose to work with solo or group veterinary practices or those owned by corporations. They may opt to be employed by animal care facilities or work with them on an independent contractor basis.
Veterinary Technicians are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association (IVNTA), are crucial for Veterinary Technicians interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide members with various continuing education and networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Any academic program that a potential Veterinary Technician takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. You will benefit from tasks outside of the classroom that line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
Read about the profession, undertake relevant research and interview or job shadow expert Veterinary Technicians to prove your commitment to animal welfare to course providers and prospective employers. It helps to document your experiences to include in recommendation letters submitted with your applications in case you pursue further studies.
Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position, or short-term paid/voluntary work at local veterinary hospitals or clinics, farms, kennels, animal shelters, zoos or animal welfare organisations will help you understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in veterinary medicine. Direct experience looking after animals offers a taste of the career and valuable insights into how a veterinary practice operates, helps build useful contacts, and improves one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. You may also seek experience in a veterinary science laboratory to build familiarity with lab procedures, handling scientific instruments, conducting tests and interpreting results.
The varied experience may also help determine whether the public, private, or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work. You can also join relevant societies at school, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organisation that is of interest, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career.
Some veterinary teaching hospitals offer work experience for secondary school students interested in veterinary medicine. It can be a helpful way to gain insight.
Aspiring Veterinary Technicians typically complete a two-year associate degree program from an accredited community college or a higher national diploma (HND) in veterinary technology, animal care & welfare, animal management or animal science. A bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, biology, animal behaviour/management, pharmacology, physiology or toxicology can give you greater knowledge and skills and a competitive edge in the job market. However, in some locations, employers may emphasise your demonstrated passion for animal care more than your academic qualifications.
The educational program you pursue must incorporate clinical and laboratory experience. A veterinary technology program course focuses on basic animal care, pathology, anatomy & physiology, anaesthesia, animal nursing, clinical toxicology, diagnostic imaging, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology, research methods, veterinary clinic management, veterinary medical calculations and veterinary medical ethics.
Some social enterprises may provide structured training programs in liaison with employers who typically offer vacancies to aspiring Vet Techs once they complete the course. Such programs blend work experience and theoretical learning in areas such as welfare, ethics, legislation, animal husbandry and biosecurity.
Certain locations offer diplomas at different levels to aspiring Vet Techs. For instance, an entry-level qualification in laboratory animal husbandry prepares you to understand the criticality of maintaining high quality standards in delivering routine care and abiding by your legal responsibilities. You may further qualify at the same level in laboratory animal science & technology, expanding your animal husbandry knowledge and equipping yourself with knowledge of general scientific principles. Having acquired adequate experience, you can complete a higher-level diploma in laboratory animal science & technology to become a veterinary technologist, a role that requires even greater responsibility.
Vet Techs may undertake further studies and training to specialise in zoos, poultry, cattle or horse farms. They may also specialise in various aspects of animal care, such as dental health, emergency & critical care, internal medicine, anaesthesia & analgesia, zoological medicine, immunology, pathology and genetics.
You may need to submit proof of veterinary experience and references and attend interviews for entry into competitive programs. Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
While specific requirements may vary across regions, graduating from accredited education programs typically qualifies aspiring Vet Techs to take the credentialing exams relevant to their location. Individual government entities typically conduct the credentialing process. The exams test a candidate’s entry-level competency in pharmacy & pharmacology, surgical nursing, dentistry, laboratory procedures, animal care & nursing, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia, emergency medicine and pain management. Passing the exam earns candidates certification, registration or licensure, depending on the regulations. Credentials demonstrate a candidate’s competency and knowledge of their legal and ethical responsibilities.
In some locations, your experience may substitute for academic qualifications as a prerequisite for credentialing. Keep in mind that you must fulfil continuing education (CE) and continuing professional development (CPD) requirements through approved avenues to renew your certification, registration or licensure periodically.
Research laboratories must typically hold relevant certifications and project-specific licences since strict regulations govern the use and protection of animals in scientific and medical research. Veterinary Technicians who work in a laboratory and are directly engaged with testing procedures may also require specific certifications and licensing, usually granted after they fulfil the requisite criteria of education, training and experience.
If you progress to work as a veterinary technologist with higher academic qualifications, you will also need the relevant licence to conduct laboratory experiments and perform clinical procedures on research animals, such as giving them injections.
Veterinary Technicians may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years to senior roles, such as Senior Veterinary Technician, who supervises trainee technicians, exercising line management responsibilities and ensuring quality standards are met.
With further experience and proven skills, you may take on the role of Facilities Manager, overseeing the operations of the veterinary facility, such as budgeting and staffing, and ensuring compliance with legislation and health & safety standards. Some Vet Techs become Trainers and Assessors of junior staff, while others may support veterinarians in gene therapy or biomedical research initiatives.
Meeting the prescribed additional academic qualifications and the requisite experience can qualify you to become a licensed Veterinary Technologist, who carries out procedures on animals, or an Animal Care & Welfare Officer. You may also certify as a Nutrition or Behaviour Veterinary Technician. If you wish to work as a Marine Animal Vet Tech, you will need scuba diving certification to supplement a degree in marine biology.
A master’s degree in veterinary medicine will enable you to work as a Nutrition and Breeding Consultant or a Wildlife Rehabilitator and Researcher, providing emergency and critical care for injured and orphaned wild animals, aiming to release them back into their natural habitat safely. You may also specialise in breeding, immunology or genetics.
With training and certification in zoological medicine, you may take up the role of a Zoological Vet Tech. If trained and certified in laboratory animal veterinary science, you may become a Laboratory Animal Medicine Technician, caring for testing animals in research labs at educational institutions and private companies.
A non-clinical role that typically requires a bachelor’s degree and a relevant licence is that of an Animal Health Inspector, who visits facilities, such as livestock farms, markets and hatcheries, to evaluate the quality of animal housing and care and check whether they abide by stringent guidelines. Liaising with veterinarians, Inspectors may also testify at court hearings in cases of legal violations and participate in shutting down facilities found illegal or non-compliant with legislation.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with the necessary skills and experience in animal care, a demonstrated passion for animal welfare, appropriate educational qualifications and training, and relevant credentials have the best job prospects.
On-the-job training is critical for newly hired Veterinary Technicians to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities in areas such as handling animals, health checks, animal husbandry, and animal behaviour & welfare and deliver high-quality care that complies with legislation, whether in a veterinary practice or a research facility.
Continuing professional development (CPD) helps an active Veterinary Technician build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to continually upskill regardless of age, job or level of knowledge and maintain or renew your credentials. You may also fulfil CPD requirements by attending relevant conferences and through your presentations and publications or other approved methods.
You may pursue a master’s degree in veterinary shelter medicine to diagnose and treat animals residing in shelters and boost the probability of their adoption. Higher education coupled with extensive experience can also qualify you to work in animal shelters, zoos, non-profits and laboratories as Veterinary Technologists.
Specialisation helps you build deeper knowledge and skills, enhancing your employment opportunities and earning potential. Some veterinary science specialisations include internal medicine, anaesthesia & analgesia, emergency & critical care, surgery, clinical pathology, animal behaviour, dental care, dermatology, nutrition, equine nursing, zoological medicine, laboratory animals and rehabilitation.
Joining professional societies and organisations allows you to use their CE or CPD avenues, scholarships and other educational resources and network with other Vet Techs.
Some Vet Tech Specialisations
Zookeeping
Zookeeping refers to animal care in zoological parks or aquariums, where diverse animal species are kept in captivity, including exotic ones, for public viewing, education, conservation and research. Ensuring that the species from various habitats and climates worldwide remain healthy and cared for around the year is a challenge. Veterinary Technicians help in the daily care of animals and also work in the zoo hospital, managing emergencies, quarantining zoo inmates and preventing cross-species infections.
Non-Profit Options for Vet Techs
Animal shelters need Vet Techs to support vets in providing veterinary care to stray, orphaned, lost and abandoned animals. With specialised training and certification, some may also qualify as surgery technicians.
Non-profit animal advocacy groups depend on volunteers and paid employees to care for animals and promote animal welfare.
Vet Techs may also operate as wildlife rehabilitators, helping veterinarians, humane societies and animal control officers care for injured or orphaned wildlife. They provide wound care and food to the animals. While not mandatory, a bachelor’s degree in wildlife-related fields can equip you with the knowledge and skills helpful for this role.
Some Tools That Vet Techs Use
Triage
A critical duty of Veterinary Technicians is to perform the function of triage when several patients arrive simultaneously for emergency care. Vet Techs must swiftly take and record their vitals and assess their condition to decide the order in which they will receive urgent medical attention. They must communicate their evaluation to the attending vet.
Related Roles
Veterinary assistants work under the supervision of veterinary supervisors, who keep a tab on the assistant’s capabilities and assign work accordingly.
A veterinary receptionist’s primary job is to serve at the reception desk. However, in the absence of a Vet Assistant in emergencies, the vet receptionist should be able to take over and assist the animal by providing first aid.
Veterinary sales managers sell animal products and explain the purpose and benefits of a product better than a layperson, as they have a deeper understanding and knowledge of animals and their requirements.
Veterinary Technician vs Veterinary Doctor/Veterinarian/Vet
Veterinary Technicians or Vet Techs assist licensed veterinary doctors in providing animal care. Veterinarians must complete a four-year pre-medical bachelor’s degree program and follow it up with a four-year veterinary school program to qualify as doctors of veterinary medicine. Qualified vets may undertake a residency to specialise in areas such as equine medicine. They may also acquire a PhD if they wish to enter research or academia. On the other hand, Vet Techs can begin work having acquired a two-year associate degree that qualifies them to get certified and licensed. They may use their associate degree to gain qualifications as a vet technologist or go on to study further to become vets.
While Veterinarians can do all that a Vet Tech does, Vet Techs are not qualified to diagnose illnesses and injuries, prescribe treatments and medications, perform surgeries or put animals to sleep, all of which fall under the purview of a vet’s responsibilities, whether working with livestock or pets. Vet Techs are responsible for preparing equipment, materials and animal patients for surgeries, assisting vets during procedures, collecting specimens, taking x-rays and administering medications prescribed by a vet. They are also responsible for maintaining patient records on paper or electronically. They may deliver first aid in emergencies.
Veterinary Technician vs Technologist
There is considerable overlap in the duties, work environment and salaries of Veterinary Technicians and technologists. Both typically work full time and are generally employed at veterinary clinics, animal shelters, aquariums, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. In these environments, they may have interchangeable duties as prescribed by their employers.
However, Veterinary Technologists typically hold a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology or a related field, specialised training, and relevant certification and licensing. Therefore, they are qualified to carry out more complex tasks than Vet Techs when working on research projects in a laboratory under the supervision of vets, scientists and researchers. They maintain lab equipment, analyse biological samples, draw conclusions about animal health from results, record and report findings to seniors and convey test results to pet owners.
Using their knowledge of the physical, behavioural and environmental needs of individual species, Veterinary Technologists in senior roles may also design studies, establishing the conditions and protocols that equip scientists with the information they require and help in the prediction and interpretation of animal responses. They may help breed research animals by monitoring pregnancies, caring for newborns and tracking their progress. Vet Technologists may also contribute to selecting research animals and developing and implementing dosing, assessment and sampling techniques.
On the other hand, Vet Techs, who may also be certified and licensed but usually hold an associate degree, assist licensed vets and work under their supervision, interacting directly with pet owners and pets in animal clinics. They examine animals, take their vital signs, record their health histories, collect biological samples, run diagnostic tests and x-rays, prepare animals and equipment for medical procedures and surgeries, and administer medications and vaccinations prescribed by vets.
Vet Tech vs Vet Assistant
The scope of a veterinary assistant’s work can be quite extensive, though less technical than a Vet Tech’s, and it includes both administrative/clerical and clinical tasks. Clerical duties span customer service that entails duties such as scheduling appointments and billing customers. However, Vet Techs are the ones to maintain animal histories and treatment records. Vet assistants are typically in charge of cleaning animal cages, sanitising examination rooms and surfaces, feeding animals and answering pet owners’ queries. They also help restrain animals during examination or treatment procedures. In addition to interacting with pet owners, Vet Techs assist vets with patient care activities, including wound care, medical procedures, testing and medicine administration, among other tasks.
In terms of educational qualifications, Vet Techs, unlike veterinary assistants, are likely to acquire specialised training in areas such as anaesthesia, dental technology, emergency & critical care, internal medicine, equine care and animal behaviour. They may also be required to hold prescribed certifications and licensure.
Vet Tech Vs Vet Nurse
The work environment for a Vet Tech and Vet Nurse tend to be similar. Both typically work at a veterinary practice, supporting vets in delivering animal care. However, there are some differences in the scope of their responsibilities. Vet Nurses assist vets during surgeries, provide animals with physical therapy sessions, administer medication and conduct laboratory analysis of specimens to help vets diagnose illnesses. Vet Techs provide animals with pre- and post-operative care, administer medication and instruct pet owners on how to care for their pets when they return home. While nursing education focuses on the clinical aspect of animal care, Vet Techs receive more academic and research-based instruction.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
The demand for Veterinary Technicians is expected to grow, given the growing number of companion pets and the rising need of pet owners for more advanced care, surgical procedures and preventive checks for their pets.
If veterinarians are critical to the well-being of animal life, then Veterinary Technicians are the backbone of veterinary practices, providing crucial support to vets, caring for animals and educating pet owners. Whether helping with routine checkups or tackling emergencies, their work is physically and emotionally challenging but exciting and rewarding. Even if their patients cannot voice their gratitude, Vet Techs are content knowing they did their best to help restore the furry ones, winged ones or scaly ones to good health.
Make sure to study mathematics during high school as it plays a significant role in your vet tech program and when you provide animal care, whether that involves pain relief, calculating anaesthetics dosages or administering life-saving drugs. Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to add value to your team and look after your patients effectively.
A newly developed algorithm uses artificial intelligence (AI) trained on electronic health records (EHR) across two decades and from 100,000 cats of various ages to predict chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What do Veterinary Technicians do?
A Veterinary Technician would typically need to:
Accredited
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