Do you love animals? If so, then a career as a veterinary technician may be the right choice for you.
Employment for this field is expected to grow at a very fast rate due to a shortage of qualified veterinary technicians. In order to become qualified, you will need to complete a 2- or 4-year degree in a veterinary technologist program in addition to passing a state exam.
Veterinary Technician Facts and Stats:
What are the Duties of a Vet Tech: Veterinary technicians typically work alongside a licensed veterinarian. They perform laboratory tests, take blood samples, and provide nursing care to sick animals.
Veterinary Technician Work Environment: Most veterinary technicians work about 40 hours a week, the need to work night shifts may arise. Vet techs often work in vet clinics, animal shelters and research facilities.
They spend much of their day on their feet, bending, and working with animals. Some of the work can be physically as well as emotionally demanding.
Veterinary Technician Education and Training: It is common for entry-level veterinary technicians to complete a 2-year associate degree in veterinary technology before seeking employment. It is also possible to gain a bachelor's degree from a 4-year veterinary technology program. In addition to the completion of a degree, all states require veterinary technicians to pass an exam, which in many states is the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam.
Veterinary Technician Salaries: The median earnings for veterinary technologists was $12.88 per hour in May 2006. The highest pay is over $18 an hour according to 2006 statistics from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey Program.
With a diploma from Penn Foster Career School you can become a veterinary technician and begin a rewarding career working with animals. With online classes at Penn Foster Career School, you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
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