Finding A Job

By OrngTby on Dec 29, 2008 | Reply

I’ll take a shot at answering your questions, but I am not a lisenced technician yet. I am in a unique distance education to earn my credits to take the lisencing exam. I thought that the information i had could give you a unique perception of the veterinary technician.

1. I actually do want to pursue a career as a veterinarian, but for now learning the role of a technician is rewarding. I was first interesting in this career because while i can do more than an assistant, I do not have the heavy responsibility of diagnosing that a veterinarian has. It is a great way to learn the veterinary field while working with animals and thier owners.

2. I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. This actually has no bearing on my position as a veterinary technician student. I am currently attending Blue Ridge Community College in a distance education program. It is 3 year long, I go to class twice a week for 3 hrs each where my professor 3 hours away teaches us over a live video feed through the telephone wires. I am also contracted with a veterinary hospital where I have to work at least 20 hours a week during the school and more than 400 hours in my second summer semester. This method allows me to gain the classwork I need while also getting the experience I need to make a career in this field.

3. I am one year into the program and so far, my most interesting ability is to place a periferal catheter. This is a technique that only a doctor or technician may perform. It is very interesting and rewarding knowing that this is a potentially life saving device/ability. It allows direct acess to the veins giving life saving drugs as needed when an animal is in duress.

4. It is so rewarding seeing an ill animal healing over time. Having a change in a long term problem is so amazing. To see an animal that has been suffuring or had a long time problem now be healthy and happy, acting like a puppy or kitten is very rewarding. We may not have diagnosed the problem or prescribed the treatment, but we have been there for owners and pets alike.

5. Worst is death. Be it euthanasia or natural death and trauma, it is difficult because we are the ones working with the owners and we see their pain and duress from the loss of thier friend. It is very difficult to see that pain.

6. I am not done with school yet, so I can not fully answer that question, but my program has me working at a veterinary clinic. This means when I graduate, I will be able to say I have 3 years of working as a student technician - meaning I am a student but have permission to act as a lisenced technician within the practice - which is more experience then someone enrolled in most other programs. As for finding jobs, most of the time is not as difficult because of the need for lisenced technicians.

7. I personally like working with wildlife and cattle. However, I do work a lot with companion animals and enjoy that as well.

8. Funniest thing… I have been scratched, bitten, ******** on, had **** glands express on me, deficated on, fallen, been hit by a cage door or two, and a lot of other painful events. As for the humor, I unfortunately can not think of one that would be understood by a person outside of the field. Most of the humor actually lays in human reaction to events in veterinary medicine. If you really want to know my most humorous recent event, I ask that you email me and I will respond in turn. It is not something most animal lovers would understand or appreciate, so I will not publicly display this information.

9. No. Techncians do not specialize in a specific animal but can have more experience with particular animals. They can also specialize in areas of medicine like anesthesia or dental care. They can also pursue a career in laboratory animals where they have specific exams they must pass along with times working within a laboratory to gain the certifications.

10. My advice? Before pursuing this path, work at a vet clinic and see how well you do. I know many people love animals and think veterinary medicine is the way to go. however, we see the best of animals and the worst. In this career, you are defending yourself against biting animals, animals in pain, dying animals and grieving/angry owners. It is not just the love of animals, but the ability to put your emotions to the side and help your doctor, protect your doctor while aiding in the care of animals.

I hope this helped you some and feel free to email me if you need it!

By Neesie on Dec 30, 2008 | Reply

I’m not a licensed technician, but in my state veterinary assistants can pretty much do what the licensed techs do, so I can answer some of these.

1What first interested you in this career?

I love animals and always have. I got into the field late in life because I didn’t know about vet techs/assistants.

2. What college did you attend?

I didn’t get a degree related to vet medicine. I have been trained on the job.

3. What was the most interesting thing you learned?

I find pharmacology (drugs and how they work) to be fascinating.

4. What is the best thing about your job?

Seeing a sick or injured animal become healthy again because of our treatment.

5 What is the worst thing about your job?

People who aren’t willing to care for their pets, or get pets they can’t afford to have treated. The animals have to suffer for it.

6. How was finding a job after finishing school?

I applied at the vet where my pets were seen, and got hired there. It was too easy, really.

7. What is your favorite animal to work with?

Cats. I’m a cat lady. : )

8. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while working?

Too hard to pick just one. If I can think of something specific I’ll add it.

9. Do you specialize in any certain animal?

I know more about cats, because I own cats and they are my particular interest.

Do you have any advice for someone looking into this career?

Don’t do it for the money, ’cause you won’t make much. : ) You have to love animals, and have to be able to get along with their owners as well. It can be physically and emotionally demanding, but extremely rewarding as well.