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Visit the AVMA Veterinary Career Center to see available jobs for veterinarians and their staff.
View AVMA-accredited programs in veterinary technology
In recent years, the profession of veterinary medicine has become ever more sophisticated and complex. The public expects state-of-the-art veterinary care for animals. To provide high quality service, today's veterinary team utilizes the skills of trained professionals known as veterinary technicians.
If you care about animals, enjoy working with your hands, are good at basic math and decision-making, like working with people and handling a variety of responsibilities, then the challenging career of veterinary technology may be just right for you.
Duties and Responsibilities
The veterinary technician is an integral member of the veterinary health care team. Veterinary technicians have been educated in the care and handling of animals, the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures. All veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. While a veterinary technician can assist in performing a wide variety of tasks, they cannot diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery, or engage in any activity prohibited by a state's veterinary practice act.
In Private Practice
A veterinary technician employed in a veterinary clinic or hospital handles many of the same responsibilities that nurses and other professionals perform for physicians. They are trained to:
- Obtain and record patient case histories
- Collect specimens and perform laboratory procedures
- Provide specialized nursing care
- Prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery
- Assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures
- Expose and develop radiographs (x-rays)
- Advise and educate animal owners
- Supervise and train practice personnel
- Perform dental prophylaxes
In Biomedical Research
In addition to the responsibilities above, veterinary technicians employed in a biomedical research facility perform other duties under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, a biomedical research worker, or other scientist:
- Supervise the humane care and handling of research animals
- Assist in the implementation of research projects
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Career Opportunities
While the majority of veterinary technicians are employed in private practice, the demand for technicians is rapidly expanding to include new employment opportunities in both human and animal health-related fields such as:
Biomedical research |
Diagnostic laboratories |
Colleges/Universities |
Veterinary supply sales |
Zoos and wildlife facilities |
Humane societies and animal control facilitie |
Military service |
Drug and feed manufacturing companies |
Food safety inspection |
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Education
Students interested in a career in veterinary technology should have an aptitude for general science, math and biology and demonstrate basic language and communication skills.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits veterinary technician programs throughout the United States and Canada. Most AVMA-accredited programs lead to an associate degree after two years but some lead to a four-year baccalaureate degree. Students earning a baccalaureate degree usually receive higher salaries and greater level of job responsibilities.
A period of clinical experience in a veterinary practice is required for all students in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program. This period of hands-on training is called a preceptorship, practicum, or externship and is a critical component of the veterinary technician program.
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Distance Learning
To accommodate work and family obligations, distance learning is an option for many students wishing to earn a degree in veterinary technology from home. The AVMA accredits several distance-learning courses that meet the same standards of accreditation as traditional programs and include a clinical component. Students fulfill the clinical training through sponsorship by a licensed veterinarian.
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Salary
Veterinary technicians earn salaries that compare favorably to those in other fields requiring a similar education. Salaries vary according to experience, responsibility, geographic location, and employment type.
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Professional Regulation
The majority of states have regulations that provide for technician credentialing (certification, licensure, or registration). Candidates are typically tested for competency through an examination regulated by the state board of veterinary medical examiners. Most states require candidates to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) before being issued a license to practice.
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Veterinary Technician Specialties
Some veterinary technicians decide to focus on areas of specialization. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA) currently recognizes five specialties: emergency and critical care, anesthesia, dentistry, internal medicine, and veterinary behavior.
Academy of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT) – www.avecct.org
Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA) – www.avta-vts.org
Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT) – www.avdt.us
Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians – www.aimvt.com
Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians – www.svbt.org
In addition, there is one society formed by technicians with interest in the discipline of equine (horse) health care and animal behavior.
American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians – www.aaevt.org
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Continuing Education
Many state licensing boards require a certain number of hours of continuing education (CE) to renew professional licenses. In addition, with ongoing advances in technology and treatments, most veterinary technicians find it important to continue taking advantage of educational opportunities to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date.
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Veterinary Technician Associations
About 100 state, local, and provincial organizations of veterinary technicians exist across the United States and Canada. NAVTA offers its members continuing education, as well as social and employment-related activities to assist in their professional growth. For specifics on Canadian veterinary technology programs, contact the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (CAAHTT) (see "For More Information").
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For More Information
For a complete listing of AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs, visit www.avma.org
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
50 S. Pickett, #110, Alexandria, VA 22304
www.navta.net
Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (CAAHTT)
Box 595, Langham, SK S0K 2LO, CANADA
www.caahtt-acttsa.ca/
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