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What You Need to Know About Veterinary Technologist or Technician
Veterinary Tech Definition Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Tech
- Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
- Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
- Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
- Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
- Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
- Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
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Qualities of a Veterinary Tech
Below is a list of the skills most Veterinary Technologists and Technicians say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Veterinary Tech Jobs
- Animal Technician
- Medical Technologist
- Veterinary X-Ray Operator
- Veterinary Assistant
- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Are There Job Opportunities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians?
There were about 102,000 jobs for Veterinary Technologist or Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 20% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 20,400 new jobs for Veterinary Technologist or Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 10,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Veterinary Tech are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Maine, or District of Columbia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary
The average yearly salary of a Veterinary Tech ranges between $23,490 and $50,010.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians who work in Nevada, New York, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,480 |
| Alaska | $39,550 |
| Arizona | $33,910 |
| Arkansas | $29,990 |
| California | $41,920 |
| Colorado | $36,390 |
| Connecticut | $43,340 |
| Delaware | $34,670 |
| District of Columbia | $37,140 |
| Florida | $33,280 |
| Georgia | $31,690 |
| Hawaii | $35,950 |
| Idaho | $31,660 |
| Illinois | $36,750 |
| Indiana | $32,030 |
| Iowa | $35,500 |
| Kansas | $33,920 |
| Kentucky | $32,450 |
| Louisiana | $26,410 |
| Maine | $36,760 |
| Maryland | $36,190 |
| Massachusetts | $40,990 |
| Michigan | $37,420 |
| Minnesota | $38,740 |
| Mississippi | $36,060 |
| Missouri | $31,910 |
| Montana | $31,580 |
| Nebraska | $33,190 |
| Nevada | $46,370 |
| New Hampshire | $34,900 |
| New Jersey | $37,630 |
| New Mexico | $34,150 |
| New York | $43,190 |
| North Carolina | $32,760 |
| North Dakota | $35,990 |
| Ohio | $33,170 |
| Oklahoma | $29,600 |
| Oregon | $36,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,860 |
| Rhode Island | $35,670 |
| South Carolina | $31,630 |
| South Dakota | $33,720 |
| Tennessee | $31,150 |
| Texas | $31,010 |
| Utah | $30,560 |
| Vermont | $34,680 |
| Virginia | $39,060 |
| Washington | $38,220 |
| West Virginia | $30,360 |
| Wisconsin | $33,870 |
| Wyoming | $31,620 |
What Tools do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Veterinary Technologists and Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- FileMaker Pro
- McAllister Software Systems AVImark
Becoming a Veterinary Tech
What education is needed to be a Veterinary Technologist or Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Veterinary Technologist or Technician may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Veterinary Technologist or Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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