Working as a vet tech is a rewarding career for anyone who loves animals, but it's also a demanding profession. Before launching into a vet tech career, it's a good idea to have a firm understanding of the pros and cons that accompany the position.
The Position
The vet tech assists a veterinarian and takes care of the technical aspects of working with animals. A vet tech can't diagnose the cause of injuries or sickness in animals, they can't prescribe medication or perform surgical procedures, but they are trained to handle nearly everything else.
A vet tech usually takes the information about the animal from the client so the veterinarian can scan the information before the examination. The tech assists the veterinarian during the examination. He or she may draw blood, give medications, administer vaccines, assist during surgery, or place catheters.
Pros
One of the positive aspects of a vet tech career is that you can "dip your toes in the water" and get experience working with animals before you apply to a school. You can volunteer to work at an animal shelter or humane society. You could also apply for a job with a local animal hospital to see if working with animals is right for you.
The educational requirements for becoming a vet tech are positive as well. The training can often be completed in two years, and there are more than 160 vet tech programs around the country. Several schools offer programs in which part of the training can be completed online.
Another of the pros of the profession is that there is so much diversity working as a vet tech. Jobs are available at veterinary practices, zoos, aquariums, animal shelters, humane societies, and self practices. Vet techs may also work for small animal practices or specialize in working with large animals and work on farms or for horse breeders.
Cons
While vet techs are expected to be in high demand for the next 10 years, vet tech salaries can be quite low. Most people get into this profession because they love working with animals, and not because of the money. Usually, the annual salary for a vet tech is between $19,028 and $39,704. Certified techs make between $22,320 and $40,681. Registered techs make between $22,751 and $50,789. The more education you have, the higher your salary.
The annual salary depends on a number of factors including:
- Educational qualifications
- Geographic location
- Employer type
- Work experience
There are also emotional challenges associated with a vet tech position. Having love and compassion is always a positive trait for anyone, especially for anyone who works with animals on a daily basis. Not only do you have to care for animals, but you also have to learn to deal with all kinds of people, and some of them can be difficult. It can also be very stressful when a pet is sick or injured and the owner is stressed. You must be able to deal with all kinds of situations. You also have to be able to assist when an animal is dying. These are all things to consider.
