Veterinary Technician

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Investigative, Realistic, Social
Veterinary technicians are highly qualified professionals who provide specialized care to animals. They help veterinarians diagnose and treat animal health problems and help ensure the health and safety of both animals and people. Veterinary technicians are responsible for preparing and administering medications, performing laboratory tests and collecting samples, taking and recording vital signs and providing basic nursing care to animals. They are also experts in animal nutrition and can advise on feeding and exercise.

There are different specialty areas for veterinary technicians. To become a veterinary technician generally requires a technical-level degree of at least 3 years in duration, significant work experience, special certifications, and the completion of case logs and reports.

The veterinary technician works alongside the veterinarian and other specialists.

Emergency and critical care veterinary technicians are specially trained to provide emergency intensive care to animals that have suffered severe trauma. Technicians in this specialty may have to work night, overnight, and weekend shifts, since most emergency clinics operate 24 hours a day.

Clinical pathology veterinary technicians perform laboratory analysis of an animal's bodily fluids, such as urine or blood, to identify health problems.

Clinical practice veterinary technicians care for animals in one of three subspecialty areas: canines, exotic companion animals, or production animals.

Equine veterinary technicians assist equine veterinarians with routine and emergency medical care for horses. Equine veterinary technicians may work in a large animal hospital or travel from farm to farm with the veterinarian they assist.

Veterinary surgery technicians are specially trained to assist veterinarians with surgical procedures and oversee preoperative and postoperative care.

Veterinary technician anesthetists are specially trained to assist veterinary anesthesiologists and surgeons with procedures, including monitoring ventilation and sedation.

Veterinary dental technicians provide dental care and cleanings to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Veterinary nutrition technicians help with the nutritional management of animals.

Zoo veterinary technicians assist zoo veterinarians while working with exotic animal species.

Internal medicine veterinary technicians help veterinarians working in a variety of subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, and oncology.

Behavioral veterinary technicians are trained to help with behavior management and modification.

Veterinary Technician: what do they do?
Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms. 96%
Maintain an inventory of controlled drugs and related record books. 96%
Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that doses can be adjusted. 95%
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery. 95%
Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine or feces, such as urinalysis or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems. 93%
Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life-saving procedures. 93%
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians. 92%
Fill prescriptions, measure medications and label containers. 87%
Collect, prepare and label samples for laboratory testing, culture or microscopic examination. 85%
Take and develop diagnostic X-rays, using X-ray equipment. 84%