Guide to Veterinary Assisting and Technology career paths

Industry info, training requirements, and employment outlook for veterinary assistant and veterinary technology students

Pursuing a career as a veterinary technician or assistant can be an excellent option for animal-lovers seeking a more affordable and accelerated degree program that doesn't require attending veterinary medical school. The veterinary technician path is one of the most popular in the animal industry. The profession has grown exponentially in the last several years, and the demand for vet techs continues to remain strong. Veterinary technicians and assistants work alongside each other, under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. They work in clinics and hospitals, and they help animals who are sick, hurt, or in need of medical attention. Vet techs are qualified to do more advanced clinical tasks, such as diagnosing and testing animals under the supervision of a vet. They can assist in performing a wide variety of tasks, but they cannot diagnose, perform surgery, or prescribe medicine on their own. Most techs have a formal education and certification, while vet assistants do not need a formal education or certification; they are able to learn the skills needed on the job. Assistants perform more clerical duties, such as keeping the veterinarian office and tools clean.

Duties of veterinary technologists and assistants:

Veterinary technicians and assistants have a wide range of duties. They both help out veterinarians in the office, but in slightly different ways. Their duties may vary a little bit depending on the setting that they work in, but both occupations will require some physical work. Vet techs will perform more advanced clinical duties, as they have a formal education, while vet assistants will perform clerical duties, such as assisting in the restrain and handling of animals, feeding them, and performing kennel work. Vet techs are kind of like nurses for doctors—they handle the same responsibilities that nurses would perform for physicians. Like nurses, they are trained to obtain and record patient case histories, perform laboratory procedures, and prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery. Some may also assist in diagnostic, medical, or surgical procedures.

Starting out in the exam room, vet techs will meet with the pet owners to talk about the reason for their visit. They will record the weight of the pet and go through their medical history. Depending on what the vet needs help with, they may help control the animal during the exam or give them medication. There may also be times when a vet is not needed during appointments. During those appointments, vet techs may be assigned simple tasks such as giving vaccines and removing or changing bandages. If a vet tech is assigned to the treatment room, they usually take care of all of the hospitalized animals. When animals are admitted, they give them an IV and set them up on fluids. They may also have to monitor them throughout the day and give them their medication. In the pharmacy of the hospital or clinic, they prepare medication, fill prescriptions, and help restock medications. If they work in a hospital and they have the proper training and education, they may assist with surgeries as well. They will help prep the animal, start the IV, and monitor the anesthesia. In an emergency hospital, they may test and send out bloodwork, view slides under the microscope, spin tubes or blood or urine, etc.

Veterinary technicians typically do the following:

Take x-rays
Collect and perform laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts
Collect and record animals’ case histories
Provide care or emergency first aid to recovering or injured animals
Administer medicine or anesthesia
Prepare animals or instruments for surgery
Keep an eye on the condition of the animals
Assist with surgical procedures

Veterinary assistant do the following

Assist veterinarians and vet technicians with lab work
Exercise the animals
Clean, sterilize, and maintain kennels, examination rooms, cages, equipment, and operating rooms
Provide first aid to pets in an emergency situation and stabilize them
Comfort the animals and restrain them during examinations
Bathe the animals
Feed the animals and monitor them to see if they are eating

Qualities:

Anyone can become a vet tech or assistant, but you will be more likely to succeed in this field if you have a genuine interest in animals and in medicine. Your time spent at work will be much more enjoyable and you will feel like you have a purpose when serving the animals.

Here are a few essential traits that you need to become a successful veterinary technician or assistant:

Compassion

Being a compassionate person and an animal lover is one of the most important qualities to have if you want to become a vet tech or assistant. It is a very physically demanding and stressful job at times, so already having that love for animals will make your job a lot easier. Going to the vet can be a stressful experience for both the owners and their pets. Owners care about their pets a lot, so they want to be assured that their pets are in good hands, and that they will be treated with kindness and respect.

Physical strength

Being a vet tech or assistant is a very physically demanding job. You must be strong enough to move and handle the animals.

Detail-oriented

Being detail-oriented is a really important character trait that requires a lot of attention to detail. Techs must follow directions as given and pay close attention when monitoring animals, giving them medication, helping out with procedures, and sterilizing surgical equipment.

Communication skills

Communication skills are also really important because a lot of animals that come in will be stressed, so knowing how to communicate not only with them, but with their owners as well, is crucial. You will need to be able to explain instructions, procedures, and other information clearly and concisely.

Patience

Having patience is one of the most important qualities to have if you are going to be a vet tech or assistant. It is a stressful—even traumatic—experience for some pets when they come into the clinic or hospital. You must be patient with them. It’s easy to become frustrated, but you must remember that they did not choose to be there or to get a procedure done.

Working conditions

The nature of the work is very versatile. Vet techs and assistants see many patients in a day and they perform a wide variety of procedures. The majority of vet techs and assistants work in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. The environment is pretty quiet and calm for the most part, but it can also be chaotic at times as it is usually a stressful experience for animals.

Many vet techs and assistants have flexible hours depending on where they choose to work. They will have the option to work part-time or full-time. Some clinics are open on the weekends and emergency hospitals are usually open 24/7, so techs may work longer than the traditional 40-hour work week.

Working as a vet tech or assistant can be a rewarding career, but it can also be stressful at times. Techs and assistants need to be able to deal with upset owners, aggressive animals, euthanasia, and more. They must have the tenacity to be able to work through the stress.

This career path also poses the risk of being injured at work. Vet techs and assistant have to work with animals who are under a lot of stress at times, and this can potentially lead to injuries. The animals may bite or kick while being taken care of, so their caretakers must be careful handling and restraining them.

Academic requirements

Both veterinarian technicians and assistants need at least a high school diploma. Many schools do offer vet assisting programs, but they are not required. Vet assistants can be trained on the job. To become a vet tech, you need to complete a veterinary technology program. Most vet techs usually obtain 2-4 years of post-high school education and have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. There are some programs that lead to a four-year bachelor’s degree, but the majority lead to an associate degree after two years of study. Students who choose to obtain a four-year bachelor’s degree usually receive higher salaries.

Prior to enrolling in a program, you can shadow a vet tech or assistant to get a better understanding of what they do. This could help you with possible employment opportunities after you finish your program. You can also do this during your program to gain more experience and knowledge; however, a lot of schools will set you up with an externship prior to graduation. Some students are offered full-time employment at their externship site. During an externship, students are able to demonstrate their skills and also improve them as they will be mentored by someone. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience, it could still be beneficial to get a job at an animal hospital or clinic as soon as you can. This will allow you to at least get your foot in the door. The hands-on experience, along with the knowledge that you will get from school, can help you become a better vet tech or assistant.

Certifications and Licenses

Every state has different requirements for what you need to do to become a veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. States may require either licensure, registration, or certification. The term used varies by state. Even if your state does not require any type of certification, obtaining it can bring forth more opportunities and a higher salary. A lot of vet techs do get certified by taking the Veterinary Technician National Examination. Some also choose to specialize in a certain area. Some of these specialties include anesthesia, dental technology, emergency care, anesthesia, veterinary nursing, and zoological medicine. Veterinary assistants are not required to be license or credentialed by any state. Those interested in pursuing further education and expanding their skill set can test for optional certification. If they choose to get certified, they will take the Approved Veterinary Assistant credential offered by the Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.

Pay

Vet techs have higher salaries than vet assistants because they need more education to enter their field. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics, the average annual salary for veterinary technicians is $35,560, while vet assistants earn approximately $28,000. The top half of veterinary professionals earn more, while the bottom half earn less. Salaries vary according to experience, type of employment, geographic location, and other factors.

Job Outlook

There is a strong demand for vet techs and assistants. Employment for both professions is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029. This is much higher than the average. All other occupations in the U.S. are projected to grow 4% over the same time span. Moreover, the pet industry, in general, is expected to grow as well. In recent years, there has been a spike in pet-related consumerism. This will also increase the demand for veterinary professionals as more pet owners will be in need of veterinary services for their pets.

There are usually many opportunities for advancement if you go into this field. After working for some time, vet techs may be promoted to supervisory positions, such as head technician or veterinary practice manager. They can also earn a higher salary by obtaining more experience and specialized certifications.

Most veterinary professionals are employed in private practices, but as the demand for technicians and assistants continues to rise, there will be more employment opportunities in human and animal health-related areas. This includes diagnostic laboratory support, veterinary supply sales, animal control, education, and more.

Going into the veterinary field and becoming a vet tech or assistant can be a rewarding career for those who love animals and medicine. The demand for vet techs and assistants continues to grow. Working as a vet tech or assistant allows you to have flexible hours, you can enter the field fairly quickly, and you have the option to advance your skills and earn more pay. Doing some research and even shadowing a vet tech will help you decide if this is the right career path for you.

1., 2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics