Requirements and roles of veterinary technicians?

Answer 1

Any person who has been to a doctor’s office or spent time undergoing a procedure at a hospital understands how important nurses are to receiving appropriate and compassionate medical care. For pets, veterinary technicians are the people who serve a similar role to a nurse when dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, horses and other family members of the animal persuasion visit the doctor. Nurses provide a special dynamic and important medical responsibility to human care. They are often the people who answer patient questions and relay important information back to the doctor about patient progress. Veterinary technicians play a similar role in the complete veterinarian care of pets. So when searching for the right veterinarian, it is important to evaluate the entire office – the veterinary technicians may spend as much time with the owners and pets as the doctor.

Along with being passionate about all animals, education and training are important to the veterinary technician’s profession. Most veterinary technicians receive an associate’s degree from an accredited school in order to understand and perform the necessary roles. During education and training, veterinary technicians learn about office management, animal anatomy and physiology and animal parasitology. Many schools offer and often require clinical experience, where students spend many hours of hands on training with live animals in various settings. After completing all course work, veterinary technicians are required to pass an exam, certifying them in their state. Laws on education and certification of veterinary technicians vary from state to state. Once certified, veterinary technicians may apply for positions. Often veterinary technicians may be required to take continuing education classes and training to keep up to date on the technologies and procedures that are used to care for pets.

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians to survey the animals and help determine illness or injury or perform routine exams. Once at the veterinary office, owners can expect that the veterinary technician will be the person conducting laboratory tests, such as taking blood or stool samples, assisting with dental work, performing routine evaluation of pets and analyzing test results. Veterinary technicians will also assist in surgery by controlling anesthesia and administering medications per the doctors’ instructions. Veterinary technicians may perform other clinical tests such as ultrasounds, catheterizations and X-rays, as well as maintain the equipment used to administer these tests.