Being a veterinary technician is very rewarding. You work with animals and are helping them to have a better quality of life.
Veterinary technician jobs have a wider range than ever before. When we normally think of the jobs a vet technician has, we think of the tech that helped the veterinarian to administer rabies shots or weigh our lovable pet. But now vet technicians are working in laboratories under the supervision of scientists doing research on everything such as different medicines for therapy. Technicians are also working along zoologists at the zoo. Or even at a rehabilitation center treating rescued animals.
The Traditional Clinical Setting
Working in the typical clinical setting and in pet hospitals, vet technicians help the veterinarian perform different aspects of their work. They assist the veterinarian in the physical examinations. The examinations may involve getting the weight of the animal, making reports and notes on the pet’s health history, gathering samples, cleaning teeth and administering immunizations.
Also in the clinical setting, vet technicians assist in dental work. Along with cleaning the animals teeth, they often assist in dental procedures. There are other procedures which technicians assist. They prepare animals for different surgery. They also help in the operations, such as spaying, neutering, birthing and euthanasia.
Labs and Scientists
Veterinary technician jobs also include working alongside scientists, researchers and veterinarians technicians perform an important part of veterinary work. Here they will work using blood, urine and possibly other samples to perform diagnosis tests. These diagnosis tests are important in determining everything from illnesses to pregnancy and allergies. These diagnosis tests will be used to determine the very best health route to go. If a dog is pregnant, these diagnosis tests can provide the necessary information to have healthy puppies. If a dog is sick, these samples will indicate which illness the animal has and determining the best medicines.
Zoos
Veterinary technicians are a part of the heath team at a zoo. Either work in the more clinical setting and keeping the animals safe, or at research centers. The research centers at the Zoo would be similar to working with scientist in labs but have more chances to work with the zoo animals.
Working at a zoo would entail regular examinations of the animals. Techs Draw blood and getting samples for tests to determine illnesses and treat them. The duties are similar as a traditional clinical setting or at a pet hospital, but instead of working with pets the technicians would be working at a zoo with the zoo animals. Techs also work alongside the veterinarians to keep the animals healthy. Getting a job working in the zoo setting would additional experience which could be obtained through clinical experience.
Animal Rescue
It would take a strong person to be a vet technician rescuing animals. Here you would see the most extreme cases of all illnesses and diseases. Often time these animals end in euthanasia, which may be very emotional for some. But here technicians work in the clinical and laboratory setting. They help perform traditional examinations and run tests. Techs may also work with animals that are doing well to get adopted. These veterinary technician jobs are both rewarding and important.
Veterinary technician jobs range from working in a hospital to the zoo or doing research in a laboratory. The jobs are growing and demand is not being met. There are many animals that need the help of vet technicians.