Veterinary Technicians

View the CBS Evening News piece about veterinary technicians!
CBS News - "Recession-Proof Jobs Give Paws"

Veterinary technicians are kind hearted professionals committed to animal health care. As an essential member of the veterinary health care team, they are entrusted with diverse medical responsibilities. Animal nursing care, laboratory diagnostics, anesthesia, surgical assistance, dentistry and radiology are examples of the daily duties performed by veterinary technicians. These diverse responsibilities allow veterinary technicians to have a profound effect on patient health care.

The two-year veterinary technology associate of applied science degree provides the graduate with information, skills and experience they will need to follow a fulfilling career in a veterinary hospital, a zoo, industry, a medical research facility, a governmental regulatory program or the Veterinary Medical Corp.

Most states require that any person practicing as a veterinary technician must be licensed or registered with the state. Upon completion of all required courses from an AVMA accredited school, a person is eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and individual state examinations. Persons achieving passing scores on these examinations can apply for state licensure. Licensing regulations vary between states.

The emergence of veterinary technician specialties allows registered technicians to expand their skills in a specific area of veterinary medicine. NAVTA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties is the governing body for granting specialty status. There are currently three academies recognized by NAVTA; Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT), Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA), and Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians (AVDT). More information on the specific academies is available through NAVTA at www.NAVTA.net.

Currently, veterinary technology is one of the top ten fastest-growing career fields. Graduates of the program can be selective on job placement because the job market far surpasses the current supply of technicians. Starting salaries in private veterinary practice average $11.00 – 15.00/hr. and $14.00-17.00/hr. in industry.