Q. I want to be a veterinary technician, and I also want a 4 year degree. I'm confused on what I'd have to do and what the process is to become one. I'm planning to go to a college that offers a bachelors in biomedical sciences. Can I use that to become a veterinary technician along with training as a vet assistant outside of school? Like interning or something? And will I still need a certificate? Ahh, what all do I need?! I'm confused!
A. In most states you are required to have an Associates degree specifically in veterinary technology in order to sit for the licensing/credentialing exams and work as a veterinary technician. A very small number will allow you to sit for the exams with a Bachelors degree in a closely related field, but it is a state-by-state thing so you need to contact the licensing/credentialing board in your state to get an answer to this question that is going to be relevant to you.
Generally though, you must have a degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited veteirnary technnology college program. These are typically 2-3 year programs but there are just under 20 bachelors degree programs offered in the US. Typically you earn your degree (which will include an internship in a veterinary facility), apply to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam, apply for credentials through the licensing/credentialing group in your state and take the state board exam if your state requires one. Once you have met the requirements of your state you are then credentialed for typically 1 year but in some states you don't have to renew your credentials for 2-3 years. Again, the details vary from state to state so you need to contact the credentialing agency for the state you are in to get an answer that is appropriate for you.
If you don't know who credentials veterinary technicians in your state, contact your state veterinary technician association or veterinary medical licensing board.
Generally though, you must have a degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited veteirnary technnology college program. These are typically 2-3 year programs but there are just under 20 bachelors degree programs offered in the US. Typically you earn your degree (which will include an internship in a veterinary facility), apply to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam, apply for credentials through the licensing/credentialing group in your state and take the state board exam if your state requires one. Once you have met the requirements of your state you are then credentialed for typically 1 year but in some states you don't have to renew your credentials for 2-3 years. Again, the details vary from state to state so you need to contact the credentialing agency for the state you are in to get an answer that is appropriate for you.
If you don't know who credentials veterinary technicians in your state, contact your state veterinary technician association or veterinary medical licensing board.
What do you think of your veterinary hospital?
Q. I work in veterinary medicine as a technician. My specialty is emergency and critical care but I am open to any thoughts - good or not so good - that people have about their visits to a veterinary hospital.
Do you like your vet? Are the techs knowledgeable?
Are you aware of the role veterinary technicians play in the veterinary setting?
Do you feel that your pet receives excellent care for the cost?
Constructive thoughts are welcome please.
Thank-you.
Do you like your vet? Are the techs knowledgeable?
Are you aware of the role veterinary technicians play in the veterinary setting?
Do you feel that your pet receives excellent care for the cost?
Constructive thoughts are welcome please.
Thank-you.
A. I love my regular vet clinic for my dogs and cats. They are super friendly and always smiling. The doctor spends so much time with his patients so you never feel rushed and I have always dealt with the doctor straight up more than any of the other staff.
My exotic vet that I go to for my lizards, rats, and others, is also awesome. I am always there an hour to two hours and we go over all sorts of things and he answers all of my questions. Since I am in there so much with all the different animals we have, they always give me discounts. The doctor did an emergency surgery on a leopard gecko for me that was over $900 and only charged me just over $400. If I know what's wrong with say one of my rats, if they can't get me in for an appointment, they will dose meds I have at home for them or let me pick some up to last me until they can get me in.
My experience with our local emergency vet is so-so I guess. We've been there a few times for one thing or another. When we were the only ones waiting there it still took us almost an hour to be seen. It wasn't super urgent I guess but that is still kinda a long time to wait. In February our sphynx suddenly became paralyzed in the wee hours of the morning and we rushed him in. The doctor was really good and thankfully knew right away what was wrong. That was the worst experience of our life. Our cat had feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and thromboembolism. It is apparently a genetic disease and he had a blood clot that formed in his lower back area. Every time we went to visit they would not let us pet him because he was in an oxygen chamber. They would ask us every time we were there or on the phone to check in on him if we still wanted them to try to revive him if he passed (of course). All of that and no one told us how slim of a chance our boy had. We would talk to them about bringing him home and no one would ever tell us he probably wasn't coming home. They called us 2 days later while he was in cardiac arrest to see if the doctor should continue trying to revive him. After 12 minutes, he was pronounced dead. Not only did we decide to cremate him, but due to miscommunication with the crematory and the vet, they cremated him before we could choose what we wanted. We wanted to do the private and they put him in a group. On top of that, we went to pick up his blanket that he died with and the girl couldn't find it at first. Finally, she located it and as she handed it to me, she said it was in a cage with another dog who had been laying on it. It was the worst experience of my life. I hope I don't have to go there again.
My exotic vet that I go to for my lizards, rats, and others, is also awesome. I am always there an hour to two hours and we go over all sorts of things and he answers all of my questions. Since I am in there so much with all the different animals we have, they always give me discounts. The doctor did an emergency surgery on a leopard gecko for me that was over $900 and only charged me just over $400. If I know what's wrong with say one of my rats, if they can't get me in for an appointment, they will dose meds I have at home for them or let me pick some up to last me until they can get me in.
My experience with our local emergency vet is so-so I guess. We've been there a few times for one thing or another. When we were the only ones waiting there it still took us almost an hour to be seen. It wasn't super urgent I guess but that is still kinda a long time to wait. In February our sphynx suddenly became paralyzed in the wee hours of the morning and we rushed him in. The doctor was really good and thankfully knew right away what was wrong. That was the worst experience of our life. Our cat had feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and thromboembolism. It is apparently a genetic disease and he had a blood clot that formed in his lower back area. Every time we went to visit they would not let us pet him because he was in an oxygen chamber. They would ask us every time we were there or on the phone to check in on him if we still wanted them to try to revive him if he passed (of course). All of that and no one told us how slim of a chance our boy had. We would talk to them about bringing him home and no one would ever tell us he probably wasn't coming home. They called us 2 days later while he was in cardiac arrest to see if the doctor should continue trying to revive him. After 12 minutes, he was pronounced dead. Not only did we decide to cremate him, but due to miscommunication with the crematory and the vet, they cremated him before we could choose what we wanted. We wanted to do the private and they put him in a group. On top of that, we went to pick up his blanket that he died with and the girl couldn't find it at first. Finally, she located it and as she handed it to me, she said it was in a cage with another dog who had been laying on it. It was the worst experience of my life. I hope I don't have to go there again.
What all can you do having your Doctorate In Veterinary Medicine?
Q. I am going to college to become a veterinary pathologist, i was just wondering the degree i am working toward is my D.V.M. What all can i do with a doctorate in veterinary medicine?
A. You can do a LOT with a DVM degree.
You can always go into general practice and work as a primary vet seeing people's pets. Or you can choose to become a specialist (like a pathologist). This requires additional training though after your DVM. You could also work in a zoo or aquarium or in a wildlife rehab center, but these jobs also require additional training and are extremely competitive.
You can go into research and work at a university. You can actually get your PhD in addition to your DVM and do first hand research. Or you can become a lab animal veterinarian where you would oversee the healthcare and needs of those animals used in research (mostly rodents).
You can work as a veterinary rep for a drug or food company. Any company that sells products for veterinarians (pfizer, bayer, novartis, purina, etc) has vets on staff to answer questions about the product's efficacy, uses, side effects, etc). They also travel around to universities and clinics and talk to the vets and students about new products or improvements to existing ones.
You can also work for the government in a variety of ways. Many federal agencies hire vets to work in public health and food safety capacities. The army also employs veterinarians. They typically work on large army or air force bases and are responsible for the service dogs on base as well as any pets for military families. Overseas these doctors would play a role in food safety and public health in foreign herds.
If you like law at all, you can work on the regulatory side of things for the AVMA. You can help play a role in AVMA policies and state and federal laws.
Basically, there are vets out there doing a wide variety of things. NASA has accepted veterinarians into the space program. Some write books, appear on animal planet, write columns for local or national newspapers and magazines. Your DVM degree opens a lot of doors for you. If you are thinking of getting a PhD or master's, completion of your DVM makes admission to those programs a piece of cake and often times you can do them in conjunction with your DVM.
Don't worry, in the 4 years of vet school you will have many many many people talk to you about all the different doors a DVM degree can open.
Good luck.
You can always go into general practice and work as a primary vet seeing people's pets. Or you can choose to become a specialist (like a pathologist). This requires additional training though after your DVM. You could also work in a zoo or aquarium or in a wildlife rehab center, but these jobs also require additional training and are extremely competitive.
You can go into research and work at a university. You can actually get your PhD in addition to your DVM and do first hand research. Or you can become a lab animal veterinarian where you would oversee the healthcare and needs of those animals used in research (mostly rodents).
You can work as a veterinary rep for a drug or food company. Any company that sells products for veterinarians (pfizer, bayer, novartis, purina, etc) has vets on staff to answer questions about the product's efficacy, uses, side effects, etc). They also travel around to universities and clinics and talk to the vets and students about new products or improvements to existing ones.
You can also work for the government in a variety of ways. Many federal agencies hire vets to work in public health and food safety capacities. The army also employs veterinarians. They typically work on large army or air force bases and are responsible for the service dogs on base as well as any pets for military families. Overseas these doctors would play a role in food safety and public health in foreign herds.
If you like law at all, you can work on the regulatory side of things for the AVMA. You can help play a role in AVMA policies and state and federal laws.
Basically, there are vets out there doing a wide variety of things. NASA has accepted veterinarians into the space program. Some write books, appear on animal planet, write columns for local or national newspapers and magazines. Your DVM degree opens a lot of doors for you. If you are thinking of getting a PhD or master's, completion of your DVM makes admission to those programs a piece of cake and often times you can do them in conjunction with your DVM.
Don't worry, in the 4 years of vet school you will have many many many people talk to you about all the different doors a DVM degree can open.
Good luck.
How many veterinary technicians/assistants are lurking here?
Q. I know some of you have answers that are just too good to be your run-of-the-mill pet owner. But many of us do spend more time than we care to admit on Y!A? Why do you do it?
A. I'm a CVT (certified veterinary technician) and have been for nearly 18 years. I don't know why I do it as some of the questions really frustrate me. My goal is to get some of these owners to consider asking their vet about some of the medical issues that their pet may have. My other goal is to disspell some of the myths that I read and hear regarding vet. med. I'm also one of those educate don't legislate people and this is a good place to start.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment