Animal technicians assist with the care of companion and livestock animals.
Animal technicians are the nurse-practitioners of the veterinary services industry. They work under the direct supervision of veterinarians and assist in the care and treatment of companion and livestock animals. Although many animal technicians work in veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, laboratories, research facilities and animal shelters, a subset also works on farms and in stockyards and feedlots. Although some aspects of the job are emotionally difficult and physically demanding, many animal lovers enjoy rewarding careers in animal health care.
Nature of Work
Animal technicians are also commonly referred to as laboratory technicians, veterinary technologists and animal health-care technicians. They provide a broad range of animal health services, assist veterinarians in surgically-related operations and advise pet owners about animal health care. Much like nurses in hospitals for people, animal technicians receive and prepare animals for examination or surgery. Animal technicians support animal research by collecting laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine and fecal matter, for testing. The job is not always pleasant and sometimes involves assisting in the euthanasia of animals.
Occupational Hazards
Animal health care jobs are physically and emotionally demanding. Animal bites and scratches are the most common physical injury encountered when working with animals. Because some tasks involve lifting large animals or heavy bags of feed, animal technicians may experience back pain and other repetitive-motion injuries. Animal technicians who work on farms and stockyards may experience kicks and crushing injuries from horses and cows. They may also encounter strong, foul-smelling odors and unsanitary conditions. Other occupational hazards include potential exposures to infectious microorganisms, bio-hazardous substances and zoonotic diseases.
Characteristics
Careers in animal health are best suited for individuals with a strong interest in medicine and a genuine love of animals. Because the job involves working with potentially dangerous, sometimes large animals, good manual dexterity, physical fitness and stamina are a must. Individuals with an aptitude for math, research, record-keeping and writing reports may fare well in laboratory work environments. All animal technicians should possess a genuine desire to help animals of all species and sizes, excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively, with both animals and humans, in a team environment.
Preparing for the Job
Most entry-level animal technician occupations require at least a two-year associate's degree in veterinary technology from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited community college. Individuals can prepare for careers as animal technicians by taking high school-level courses in biology, science and math. Science courses taken in a clinical or laboratory setting are also suitable preparation. Upon completion of the required coursework, prospective animal technicians must also pass a credentialing exam before they can work in a veterinary clinic or hospital. Most states administer the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) examination to prospective animal technicians.
Possible Career Path
Animal technicians usually begin their careers as trainees. They are typically employed by private veterinary practices, zoos and wildlife parks, animal rehabilitation centers, biomedical research laboratories, kennels, animal shelters and humane societies, pet shops, companies that sell animal care or pharmaceutical supplies, farms and feedlots and post-secondary institutions. Animal technicians typically advance in their careers by taking on increasingly complex duties or supervisory responsibilities.
Job Prospects
The employment outlook for this occupation is strong and influenced by a wide variety of factors, such as the growing number of affluent pet owners willing to pay for advanced veterinary care, continued public support for animal safety and the growing industry trend of replacing veterinary assistants with animal technicians possessing more skills. The U.S. Department of Labor expects employment of animal technicians to grow 36 percent, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations nationwide, between 2008 and 2018.
Compensation
Occupational employment statistics published by the U.S. Department of Labor show there are 79,200 veterinary technologist and technician jobs, including animal technicians, in the United States, as of May 2009. The estimated annual salary of animal technicians ranges from $20,180 to $43,080. The estimated nationwide median annual salary of these workers is $30,580 as of May 2009. The three top-paying states for the occupation are Connecticut, New York and the District of Columbia. Animal technicians in these areas enjoy average salaries ranging from $36,160 to $36,360--higher than the national average for all veterinary technologist and technician jobs--as of May 2009.
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