Everything you Need to Know About Vet Tech Jobs
The U.S. market for vet tech jobs is as buoyant as can be with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 36 percent growth in employment numbers of veterinary technicians between 2008 and 2018.
Vet tech jobs may be found in private animal clinics, public animal clinics, animal shelters, zoos, scientific research and development facilities, medical and diagnostic laboratories, animal hospitals, aquariums, farms, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries and social advocacy organizations.
To qualify as a veterinary technician, the individual needs to complete a high school diploma followed by a two year associate’s degree in veterinary technology or a four year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology or related subject area.
All states in America require veterinary technicians to get credentialed as a prerequisite to securing vet tech jobs. Students need to pass the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam to receive credentialing. Students, who graduate from an accredited (by the American Veterinary Medical Association-AVMA) veterinary technology program, will qualify for credentialing.
Vet tech jobs are expected to stem from the need to replace veterinary technicians who retire, resign, relocate or leave the profession. In fact, it is anticipated that demand will exceed the supply of veterinary technicians.
Other reasons for the faster than average increase in the demand for veterinary technicians include the rise in affluence of pet owners requiring veterinary services for pets, the advanced technologies in animal medical care and the growing number of pets in American households.
Vet tech jobs are actually recession-proof and relatively stable during periods of economic downturn. The need for animal services is not something that goes away when there is a recession so the demand for professional veterinary technicians is expected to continue.
Vet Tech Employment
To gain employment as a vet tech you need to pass the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam and receive credentialing. To pass the exam you need to study in an accredited program that will provide you with the right kind of education covering veterinary diseases, animal medicine, veterinary imaging, animal dentistry, animal behavior, veterinary pharmacology, laboratory procedures and anesthesiology and surgical assisting.
With the very positive climate predicted for employment market for veterinary technicians, vet tech jobs have never looked better. As a career choice it can be one of the most fulfilling and motivating choices.
There are many online resources and printed media resources for locating vet tech jobs. Veterinary technicians are required to complete an internship period as part of their education. Many students get hired straight out of school by the same institution where the internship was completed.
Veterinary technicians require a higher level of education than the veterinary assistants do. A veterinary technician will actually assist in various animal healthcare procedures and treatments and the role is similar in many ways to that of a nurse.
Salary is strangely enough not the most important motivating factor people consider when choosing to become a veterinary technician. Money cannot replace a genuine, deep seated concern for the well being of animals.
The best vet tech jobs will go to the best qualified and most committed individuals, but the employment market is very positive for all.