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A Career as a Veterinary Technician

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Animal science jobs are tailored for animal lovers as they allow them to stay close to the animals. Though these jobs are physically and emotionally demanding and even dangerous at times, they give them immense pleasure, caring and looking after them.

The gamut of jobs related to animal science is vast. However the calling as a veterinary technician or technologist is most popular among them. A technician usually works in a clinic under the supervision of a veterinarian who is licensed. He performs various medical tests on the animals and identifies and treats the diseases by administering proper care and appropriate medicine to them. The tests that a technician has to perform are varied like finding out blood counts, preparing tissue samples, urine analysis, and dental prophylaxis. He prepares vaccines and serums to prevent diseases He cleans and sterilizes instruments and materials and maintains equipment and machines. He also keeps proper reports for future reference by the owner as well as the veterinarian. He advises owners and train new staff in the clinic about techniques of caring for diseased animals. He sees to the cleanliness and hygiene of their living conditions.

Apart from working in private hospitals and clinics, he even works in research institutes. Here he mainly monitors and maintains records of the various animals like their diet, weight, pain and distress, medication, and pace of recovery. The other avenues that are open to them are biomedical research, live stock management, and wildlife medicine.



A situation as a veterinary technician requires students to have studied life sciences at a college level and undergo a program in veterinary technology from an accredited college. The courses include both classroom coaching and practical training in the laboratories. Some colleges offer a 4 year bachelor degree. Passing an exam that establishes your credential as a veterinary technician is a must. This includes oral, written, and practical tests that assure employers that the candidate is capable of working in their organizations. Once you pass the test you become a certified technician.

There are many distance learning courses as well as online courses that one can pursue along with the job or studies in the related field to hone your skill set for the trade. Overall a background in biological science is necessary. Moreover, on the job training for a few months or a year is also available as you work under the supervision of an established and experienced veterinarian. There are certifications such as ALAT and LATG that may be taken along with job experience for better job prospects.

Those seeking to go into research need to clear the certification exam of AALAS besides having a master degree and a PhD.

A veterinary technician requires being comfortable with the animals and understanding their behavior. He has to understand them and be patient with them in order to look after them when they fall sick. He should have a sense of health and hygiene as he has the onus of cleaning the animals and their cage upon him. Good communication skills and team spirit are needed to interact with the owners of the animals, zoo officials, and the researchers in a laboratory. And lastly the following skills are needed: critical thinking, instructing, active listening, and knowledge of basic sciences, active learning, reading, and comprehension.

Experience is highly useful as it may promote you to the level of a supervisor.

The employment and career prospects of a veterinary technician are quite bright. According to a market survey the profile of a veterinary technician holds about seventy thousand jobs presently and the number will continue to grow in future. There are myriad organizations that can absorb professionals qualified as veterinary technicians like animal shelters, boarding canals, grooming salons, and the zoo.

The median hourly salary is $12.88. With experience and knowledge it can go up to $18 or more. The new entrants with no experience earn about eight dollars on an hourly basis. The remuneration is dependent on variety of factors like experience, educational qualifications, employing organization, and location.

A job as a veterinary technician may be a little stressful and emotionally draining at times, but they are extremely satisfying and rewarding. And it goes with out saying that they are benevolent too.
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 professionals  colleges  active listening  wildlife  biomedical research  careers  knowledge  techniques  certifications  employers


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