What it’s about:
This major prepares you to work under the supervision of veterinarians, zoologists, and lab specialists to provide animal care and clinical assistant. Veterinary technicians (VTs) serve as receptionists, practice managers, radiologic/imaging technicians, medical and surgical nurses, anaesthetists, pharmacy and laboratory technicians, animal behaviour educators, and client liaisons.
What the study of this major is like:
VTs perform a wide range of activities, doing everything veterinarians do expect making diagnoses, performing surgery, and prescribing medicine. VTs assist veterinarian with client appointments, client education, and management of the practice. They work as medical and surgical animal nurses, animal physical therapists, animal dental hygienists (cleaning teeth), and diagnostic laboratory technicians (working with laboratory specimens). In laboratory animal medicine, VTs do experimental procedures, keep records, analyze data, write reports, and take care of animals. In the pet food industry, VTs work in sales, marketing, and research.
As a veterinary technology major, you would probably earn a two-year associate degree in applied science. Introduction to veterinary technology courses usually cover office procedures, vocational opportunities, regulatory issues, and client communication. In addition to other core courses, most programs require general education courses, in English, applied mathematics (algebra, statistics), social science, humanities, and biological science (microbiology). To be successful in this career, you need to do well in science. You should also develop computer and communication skills, as well as critical-thinking skills, such as patient assessment, and decision-making abilities.
In all programs, you must work as a student intern/extern for a minimum of 240 hours at specific types of veterinary sites. This experience allows you to explore various vocational opportunities (such as jobs in companion animal and large-animal care, and in biomedical research) and to develop the skills you learned during your early training. In your intern/externship, you are also exposed to specialized clinical areas such as cardiology, emergency medicine, and exotic animals.
Veterinary technology programs are career-oriented; if you complete the curriculum, you should be ready to work in a veterinary facility. Most programs incorporate traditional lecture format, computer self-study, guest speakers, “wet labs” (for hands-on work such as dentistry), and scheduled and open laboratory time. You also have opportunities to work with a variety of species and are usually responsible for caring for the animals housed on campus.
Programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA) have a required content, to ensure that you are properly prepared for a career. But programs may vary. Some provide additional instruction in laboratory animal science and medicine, clinical diagnostic techniques, or large-animal or exotic species care. Programs may incorporate distance learning or online training into their curriculum or vary their scheduling (offering day and/or night courses). Some programs prepare you to become a veterinary assistant (VA); but take note that Vas do not receive an equivalent form of training as VTs.
Career options and trends:
Many states provide licensure for veterinary technicians. The terminology will vary (certified, registered, licensed), as will the requirements. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited program and pass the National Veterinary Technician Board Examination.
Job prospects in this field are excellent, as there is currently a shortage of formally trained veterinary technicians, and demand is projected to increase in all veterinary practice areas and industrial fields.
Some of the areas in which graduates find job opportunities are small-animal practice; pet food and pharmaceutical companies (technical research assistance or sales); laboratory animal research; animal diagnostic laboratories; zoos and wildlife centers; wildlife rehabilitation; and government regulatory agencies. Research and academic institution usually require a bachelor’s degree.
Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors
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