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Devoted to dogs. Fanatical about felines. Enthusiastic about equines. Sound like you? If so, a career as a veterinary technician could be the perfect melding of personal passions and professional goals.
Before you start your career, however, you'll need some training. Ashworth College offers a vet tech degree online that is affordable and includes clinical experience that gives you the chance to practice what you learn in a real-world environment.
A passion for animals is a significant part of being a veterinary technician, but there’s more to the job than just loving our furry friends. Vet techs play multiple roles, jumping in to help vets when needed, sharing information, consoling pet parents and taking care of a variety of administrative duties. If you're interested in exploring careers in the pet care industry, here's what you need to know.
If you're thinking about becoming a vet tech, now is a great time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of vet techs to grow 20 percent by 2031. That's faster than the average for all occupations! Experts say more veterinarians are relying on technicians and technologists to do general care and lab work in their practices and that is driving current and continued job growth.
As a vet tech, you'll have many responsibilities. On a typical day, vet techs can find themselves doing the work of anesthesiologists, animal handlers, dental hygienists, dog walkers, janitors, laboratory technicians, mentors, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, receptionists, surgical technicians, teachers or x-ray technicians. Getting the right education is important, so you're prepared to take on this array of duties.
Being a vet tech isn't just about working with cats and dogs. Vet techs have the opportunity to care for all kinds of animals: hamsters, lizards, snakes, cows, other livestock and more! With courses at Ashworth College like Small Animal Husbandry and Restraint, Large Animal Nursing and Medicine, and Laboratory and Exotic Animal Care and Nursing, you'll develop the skills you need for basic animal care and handling on companion animals, exotic animals and farm animals.
While we know you'd love to dedicate 100% of your day to the care of our furry, feathery, hairy and scaly friends ;this career involves other duties, as well. Vet techs have numerous administrative duties as well. On the job, you might be expected to handle billing and coding associated with different procedures or diagnoses, Schedule appointments, answer incoming phone calls, and help with other administrative responsibilities. Just keep in mind that all of these jobs make excellent care for animals possible.
Vet techs are naturally compassionate. It's their love for animals that often leads them to this career. But, they also need to be consummate professionals. As a vet tech, you might find yourself having to give complex instructions on prescriptions or share difficult diagnoses with pet owners. In these moments,being sensitive to how someone is feeling while remaining professional is essential.
Interested in becoming a vet tech? Learn more about Ashworth College Online's veterinary technician program.
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