A veterinary technician, also known as a vet tech, is a person who works in an animal medical setting and is responsible for the care and treatment of animals. These services are provided under the supervision and direction of a licensed veterinarian, who is ultimately responsible for the work performed by the vet tech. A number of things are also prohibited for the vet technician, including making an official diagnosis and prescribing medications. Overall, the technician’s work frees up the veterinarian to perform more complex tasks.
A vet tech may perform a variety of clerical and minor medical procedures, including taking down an animal’s medical history, dental cleanings, collecting and testing specimens, and assisting with surgery preparation. The technician may be in charge of providing the appropriate tools and sterilizing them as needed during surgery. The technician may also be able to assist the veterinarian in the care of an animal, particularly if the animal is nervous or aggressive. In a research setting, the tech tech is in charge of caring for the animals as well as assisting with other research tasks.
When a pet owner is called into the treatment room, the vet tech may be the first person they see. The technician will pay attention to the animal’s reason for being there, whether it’s a specific complaint or a routine checkup. After that, the person will most likely do some minor tasks, such as weighing the animal and taking its temperature. If anything out of the ordinary occurs, the technician will record it on a log sheet.
After the veterinarian examines the animal, the vet tech may be in charge of explaining any necessary follow-up care. This includes how to properly administer any prescribed medications as well as what to look for in the event of complications. The technician may even assist the pet owner in determining when the next visit is required. Once the animal has been returned home, the vet tech may even provide care instructions over the phone.
A two-year or four-year degree in veterinary assistance or technology is required for veterinary technician training. This prepares you for work in a private practice or in a research setting. Many employers in that field may prefer technicians with a four-year degree due to the highly developed nature of research work. Many science and animal medicine courses are included in these degree programs. If the vet tech is working in the United States, he or she must pass a state-provided credentialing exam after completing the required coursework and graduating.