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Veterinary Technologists & Technicians

Also called: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)

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What they do:
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
On the job, you would:
  • Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
  • Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
  • Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.

Knowledge

Health
  • medicine and dentistry
Business
  • customer service
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Math and Science
  • biology

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems
Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
Medical software
  • McAllister Software Systems AVImark
  • Veterinary practice management software PMS

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Find Licenses Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$36,850
$28,370
$48,100
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Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about veterinary technologists and technicians.