What is a Veterinary Technician?
Veterinary technicians are animal nurses who perform a wide variety of essential tasks to keep pets healthy and happy while in a veterinary hospital. To become a veterinary technician, an individual must go through a veterinary technician program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam to obtain their license. Their education covers a vast range of topics including, but not limited to, animal handling, anesthesia, laboratory skills, animal anatomy, and more.
How Veterinary Technicians Work
Veterinary technicians will perform tasks ranging from taking your pet’s history down, assisting with lab work and surgery, preparing your pet’s medications, and drawing your pet’s blood. Veterinary technicians are ultimately in charge of making sure a veterinary hospital or clinic runs smoothly by assisting your veterinarian and keeping your pet’s appointment as seamless as possible. They are vital members of the veterinary practice team.
Key Takeaways
- Veterinary technicians are animal nurses who must go through veterinary technician schooling and pass a Veterinary Technician National Exam to obtain their license.
- They perform a large variety of tasks, from checking patients in to assisting during surgery to preparing your pet’s medications.
- Veterinary technicians are largely responsible for ensuring that the veterinary hospital runs efficiently and your pet is well cared for while at the vet’s office.