Veterinary Technician

Veterinary Technician There are about 100 organizations of veterinary technicians that exist, state, local, and provincial across the United States (American Veterinary Medical Association). Out of those 100 organizations, there were 62,000 employed veterinary technicians in the year of 2004. The career of Veterinary technician will be investigated for the purpose of learning techniques to increase an animal’s health, providing information will result in determining if pursuing this career will be a positive choice for the future. This will be researched through job background, education and requirements, and the job outlook. First, the job background of a veterinary technician will be researched to determine if pursuing this career would be a positive influence for the future. Some may ask, what a veterinary technician, otherwise known as Vet. Tech. is? “The veterinary technician is an integral member of the veterinary health care team who has been educated in the care and handling of animals, the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures” (American Veterinary Medical Association). When a hurt or sick animal is brought to the hospital, a team of educated and trained animal doctors treat them. A veterinary technician is part of that team. On an ordinary day, Veterinary technicians usually work around eight to ten hours a week, sometimes including the weekend. Within that time their tasks may include: routine laboratory and clinical procedures, perform lab test such as urinalysis and blood counts, assist with dental care, prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, expose and develop x-rays, administer medications orally or topically, prepare samples for laboratory examinations and record info on an animals genealogy, diet, weight, medications, food intake, and clinical signs of pain and distress, as well as provide routine postoperative care (American Veterinary Medical Association). To further

Cited: Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2008-09 Edition. Veterinarians. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm>. 06 Oct 2008. Veterinarian. October 6, 2008. <http://www.bls.gov/k12/nature04.htm>. Veterinary Medicine. Compton’s by Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2005. elibrary. Proquest CSA. Monroe High School. 06 Oct 2008. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com>. Animal Care and Service Workers. Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-07. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2006. elibrary. Proquest CSA. Monroe High School. 06 Oct 2008. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com>. American Veterinary Medical Association: A career in Veterinary Technology. October 6, 2008. <http://www.avma.org/animal.health/brochures/careers/technology-brochure.asp>. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2008-09 Edition. Veterinarians. <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm>. 06 Oct 2008. Career Cruising: Veterinarian. October 9, 2008. <https://www.careercruising.com>. Career Cruising: Veterinary Technician. October 9, 2008. <https://www.careercruising.com>. Veterinarian. October 6, 2008. <http://www.bls.gov/k12/nature04.htm>. Veterinary Medicine. Compton’s by Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2005. elibrary. Proquest CSA. Monroe High School. 06 Oct 2008. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com>. Veterinary technologist and technicians. Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-07. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2006. elibrary. Proquest CSA. Monroe High School. 06 Oct 2008. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com>.