Common Responsibilities Of A Veterinary Technician

Have you been thinking about becoming a veterinary technician but would like to know more about the common responsibilities associated with the career?

Typically, each state has their own laws governing the procedures that veterinary technicians are allowed to perform. As such, common responsibilities of vet techs may vary from one state to another.

Not All Jobs Are the Same

Furthermore, other factors that may determine the responsibilities of vet techs include their employer, type of business and their experience level. For example, a vet tech who works in a small animal practice will likely be responsible for different tasks than that of a vet tech who works in a zoo.

Additionally, a vet tech with years of experience may be allowed to perform more complex procedures than a veterinary technician who is fresh out of a training program. Finally, some employers have their own rules regarding the tasks and procedures that they allow their veterinary technicians to perform.

Basic Responsibilities

Basically, the job of a vet tech is to handle basic responsibilities in a veterinary facility so that the veterinarian can focus on other more complex tasks and procedures. Although the responsibilities of vet techs may vary greatly, listed below, you will find the most common tasks that they are often responsible for performing.

• Taking and Recording Vital Signs
• Drawing Blood
• Collecting Stool Samples
• Performing Laboratory Tests
• Taking and Developing X-rays
• Sterilizing Equipment and Cleaning Exam Rooms
• Cleaning Teeth
• Preparing Animals for Surgery
• Administering Medications, Injections, IV Fluids and Anesthesia
• Collecting and Recording Animals’ Medical Histories
• Restraining Animals
• Trimming Nails and Grooming Animals
• Feeding and Walking Animals
• Removing Sutures
• Cleaning Wounds and Changing Dressings

Clerical Responsibilities

In addition to the basic responsibilities listed above, veterinary technicians are also often responsible for various clerical tasks as well. Of course, this may vary depending on your employer and his or her needs. Nevertheless, some of the clerical-related tasks you may be responsible for as a vet tech are listed here.

• Maintaining Client Records
• Filing Paperwork
• Taking Payments
• Preparing and Labeling Medications
• Ordering and Restocking Supplies
• Training New Employees
• Greeting Clients
• Answering Phones
• Scheduling Appointments
• Following Up with Clients

Do You Have What it Takes?

For you to excel as a veterinary technician, it is best if you possess certain personality traits. For one thing, since you will be working closely with a variety of pet owners and medical staff, it is essential for you to have good communication skills. You should also be detail-oriented, organized and able to multi-task.

The best vet techs are those who love animals and can show compassion during stressful and/or serious situations. On the other hand, due to the nature of the career, you must be able to handle your emotions as well, especially when helping treat animals with severe injuries or those who must be euthanized.

The work of a veterinary technician can be quite exhausting at times, both physically and emotionally. As a vet tech, you may need to work long hours including nights, weekends and holidays. Additionally, there is a great risk of becoming bitten, scratched or otherwise injured while working with frightened or aggressive animals.

Training to become a veterinary technician is a great choice if you love animals and would like to work with them every day. These professionals are responsible for many different tasks and procedures in veterinary medicine facilities. However, the most common responsibilities of vet techs are listed above.