What Do Veterinary Technologist or Technician Do?
Job Description: 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.
List of Veterinary Tech Job Duties
- Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.
- Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
- Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
- Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
- Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
- Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
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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
- X Ray Operator
- Veterinary Surgery Technologist
- Clinical Researcher
- Medical Technologist
- Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Job Demand for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
In the United States, there were 102,000 jobs for Veterinary Technologist or Technician in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 10,700 positions for Veterinary Tech per 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.
Veterinary Tech 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.
How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make 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
How to Become a Veterinary Tech
What education is needed to be a Veterinary Technologist or Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Veterinary Tech?
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Sector
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Veterinary Technologist or Technician may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Veterinary Technologist or Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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