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Career Exploration

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Also called: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
  • Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
  • Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
On the job, you'll need:

Health

  • medicine and dentistry

Business

  • customer service

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • biology

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation

Data base user interface and query software

  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft Access

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Medical software

  • McAllister Software Systems AVImark
  • Veterinary practice management software PMS

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $38,240

Education

High school diploma/GED or associate's degree is usually needed.