A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Technician
Pet healthcare is a labor of love for all involved. Long hours, somewhat difficult working conditions, a lot of training, and sometimes less than commensurate wages make the veterinary field a less-than-attractive option for many. For those of us who love it, though, we wouldn’t have things any other way.
Help us at Curem Veterinary Care celebrate our veterinary team and learn what a day in the life of a veterinary technician looks like.
The Veterinary Technician
Veterinarians rely on their support staff much as physicians do in order to take the best care of their patients.
On the veterinary team, you will usually find several individuals. Client service representatives serve an important role at the front of house, fielding your questions and calls, and making sure that your furry family gets the care that they need.
Veterinary assistants are often on-the-job trained support. Some may have degrees in veterinary assisting or related fields. Their experience in handling animals, educating clients, and assisting the doctor is invaluable.
Registered veterinary technicians have much the same skill set as a veterinary assistant but have taken things a bit further. Registered techs have an associates or bachelor’s degree in the field and have passed a board exam to obtain a license. This extra knowledge allows them to take on even more of a role in the animal care arena under the supervision of a veterinarian.
A Skill Set Like None Other
So what does a veterinary technician do on a daily basis? The job description can vary a bit. There are certainly veterinary technicians in roles like research, pharmaceuticals, and sales, but vet tech duties in a small animals general practice might do things like:
- Prepare the surgical suite for surgeries
- Administer and monitor anesthesia
- Administer vaccinations
- Draw blood or collect other biological specimens
- Obtain radiographs (X-rays)
- Counsel pet owners on topics like nutrition, behavior, or preventive care
- Help with end-of-life care
- Obtain dental radiographs
- Perform dental cleanings
- Provide nursing care for sick pets or those recovering from anesthesia
- Perform diagnostic tests as ordered by the veterinarian
- Administer medications and treatments
- Assist during emergencies
- Relay test results and finding to pet owners
What other job has you cleaning teeth, helping a new pet owner understand how to care for their puppy, and taking blood samples all in the same shift? There are very few dull moments in the day of a veterinary technician.
How to Show Your Thanks
Our veterinary support staff is often so good at their jobs that we forget to appreciate them. Their dedicated care to improving their knowledge each day and providing personal and loving care to each patient would certainly be noticed if it were absent, though!
Be sure to let your favorite pet healthcare team know that you notice their efforts by:
- Simply saying thank you!
- Taking the time to write a nice online review (so few people take a moment to write good things!)
- Drop a card in the mail
- Tell your friends and family about your experiences
- Love in the form of food is always appreciated
You and your pets are the reason that we are in the veterinary field, and it feels so wonderful to know when our efforts are appreciated. In a sometimes stressful and sad line of work, so it can help so much when you let us know that you appreciate us!