A Day in The Life of Certified Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Technicians wear multiple shoes daily, switching from one activity to the other to guarantee that all animal patients receive optimal care.
Before the Veterinarian enters the room, Vet Techs will take detailed information and exhibit basic patient assessment techniques on your companion. They will then hold your pet gently throughout the Veterinarian’s inspection, prepare your pet’s prescribed drugs, and show you how to handle them at home.
A Veterinary Technician team works behind the scenes to assist with laboratory procedures, clinical rotations, client relations, and surgical procedures
Veterinary Technicians collect patient samples for lab testing at the hospital’s treatment area to aid in the diagnosis of complex medical disorders. Blood is processed for in-house technologies to identify infections, organ problems, and thyroid deficiency, to list a few.
A Vet Tech may also prepare a blood slide to examine under a microscope for abnormalities. Urine is separated into fluid and solid components before being inspected microscopically for urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and kidney disease.
Household pets that require X-rays are in competent hands. Vet Techs accurately measure the body portion to be radiographed, adjust the equipment, and position the patient for diagnostic procedures.
Most equipment from animal hospitals, including the X-ray machine, is maintained by Veterinary Technicians to ensure that it is ready to produce visuals to help in an animal’s diagnosis.
A Vet Tech will install an intravenous catheter and determine and give the necessary amount of IV fluids when an animal requires anesthesia. They will also ascertain and provide the proper anesthetic dosage to induce drowsiness.
Vet Techs remain at the animal’s side during surgery, monitoring anesthesia dose and vitals to ensure it remains at a safe anesthetic level.
They will then assist the patient in getting up, keeping it nice and warm.
Vet Techs also shave the patient’s fur and clean the operative site during surgery. They prepare the sterilized equipment and further assist veterinarians by passing over tools and maintaining equipment such as the laser, cautery, and suction units during the process. Vet Techs will then clean and sanitize the equipment in preparation for the next surgery.
This narrative is only a glimpse of the daily tasks that Veterinary Technicians perform at veterinary clinics.
Veterinary technicians typically work long, physically taxing days, yet they always return with smiles, eager to help animals stay strong.
FAQs
What can I accomplish with a degree in Veterinary Technology?
Vet Techs work in labs, animal hospitals, and private clinics. In 2020, 91% of the 114,400 veterinary technician and technologist positions were predicted to be in veterinary services.
If you work in research, you may be collaborating with other scientists to ensure that animals are handled correctly and that all studies are conducted with animal safety in mind.
Vet Techs can specialize in areas like animal dentistry, emergency care, equestrian care, and anesthesia. You may even establish your clinic and operate independently as a Veterinary Technician, finding your clientele and growing your ideal brand.
How is the curriculum structured? Does it have any prerequisites?
No prior courses are required.
Our program’s curriculum includes many challenging occupational education courses to prepare students for the Board examinations and become competent Vet Techs. Most program courses have a compulsory laboratory component in which students acquire hands-on experience involving live animals and classroom teaching.
The courses are organized in a particular manner to allow students to build on abilities learned in introductory courses. As part of the process, the students are also responsible for daily care for the in-house teaching animals.
Under the guidance of the Program Laboratory Coordinator, animal care is warranted twice a day, seven days a week, and is split equally among all students.
Do I need prior experience before applying to the program?
Although veterinary assistance background is generally appreciated as a supplement to coursework, it is not compulsory for admission to the program.
Do you have hands-on teaching labs?
Most of the courses offered on our Colorado Springs campus need feature a lab feature. While classroom learning for veterinary practices is essential, Veterinary Technology is a hands-on line of work, and students must be given opportunities to apply what they learn in lectures.
Our laboratory facilities offer the best and most practical hands-on teaching veterinary setting experience in Colorado.
Does CAVT provide evening classes?
Our program’s courses are scheduled in a specific format and are offered within a particular semester. We sought to arrange lessons around certain days and time blocks so that students may complete an internship and work hours.
Although evening classes are offered, the veterinary technician education and activities cannot be completed as a night program.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of obtaining a Veterinary Technology degree when my goal is to become a veterinarian?
Many of our students want to pursue veterinary medicine. Although a veterinary technician degree is not required, studies showed students in a pre-veterinary program have a smoother experience following their classes.
The application process for vet school is complex and competitive since some veterinary colleges believe that an experienced Veterinary Technician is a stronger candidate for veterinary school. The only drawback of becoming a Veterinary Technician before becoming a veterinarian is the extra time needed to accomplish veterinary technology schools.
I want to pursue Veterinary medicine. Are the courses taken from the veterinary technician program credited to a veterinarian school or pre-veterinary program?
Our Veterinary Technology program is carefully developed to fulfill the standards of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation. Our vet tech courses do not meet the requirements of a Veterinary Technician, not a veterinarian.
Are there different licensing requirements in each State? What would I have to do if I moved out of state after finishing the program and passing the Boards to become licensed in the new State?
Each state has its licensing regulations. Some states offer their Licensing exam in addition to the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). You will have to verify your new State’s regulations to determine what they might be.
A few states recognize licenses from other states, but you still need to check with each one to see their criteria.
After finishing the Vet Tech program, will I be eligible to sit on the Boards?
Since CAVT’s Veterinary Technology program is AVMA-accredited, you will be eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) after graduation.
What is the process for becoming a State-Certified Veterinary Technician in Colorado?
A Certified Veterinary Technician, according to the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT), is someone who:
- Graduated from an AVMA-approved veterinary technology program
- Passed the National Veterinary Technician Exam (VTNE)
- Registered with the credentialing entity of the state
- Maintained Certification Renewal and Continuing Education requirements all through professional life
If you do not meet the certification requirements mentioned above, you may consider becoming an Associate Member of the CACVT. Associate membership does not lead to certification but allows access to valuable benefit plans.
A Step Further with Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology
The Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology (CAVT) educates and prepares veterinary healthcare workers to be competent, revolutionary, and service-oriented in various job settings.
As a result of the Academy’s pleasant and constructive learning environment, our students are prepared to become self-sufficient animal nurses capable of making patient care assessments and actively contributing to a flexible veterinary team.
Our core objective is to create a small-group educational experience that makes veterinary professionals with expertise, proficiency, and highly efficient people skills.
CAVT’s students grow to become forward-thinking in the field by using cutting-edge veterinary medicine technologies and applications, which promote intellectual integrity and career management.
Veterinarians, biomedical researchers, scientists, animal control authorities, and non-profit relief organizations rely on Veterinary Technicians.
You will thoroughly grasp fundamental medical sciences, veterinary medical care, animal care and management, and client communications and services as a student in our Veterinary Technology program. You will also gain hands-on knowledge and skills in veterinary emergencies, large and small animal practices, and much more.
Take your vision to reality! Launch your career in Veterinary Technology today.