Veterinarian, Vet Technician and Vet Assistants are a very controversial description of a career to someone that may not know there is a difference. The biggest controversial part of the veterinary career is the difference of what is a Vet Tech and what is a Vet Assistant and how they compare to each other. There are a lot of the same duties for a them, but there are also quite a few differences of responsibilities, pay rate and schooling. To understand and compare to more of a human perspective “vet techs could be compared to nurses in human care while vet assistants would be more along the lines of a CNA.” (Veterinarianedu.org, 2017). Vet assistants are normally the ones that have duties such as customer service, cleaning and grooming the animals and setting up appointments. A lot of Vet Assistants can do the work that a Vet Technician can do but the biggest difference is that the Vet Techs can perform more technical tasks such as dental cleanings, X-rays …show more content…
Therefore for a Vet Technician, a student is looking at paying an amount between $23,000 and $40,000 for a college degree. Whether or not what career to choose of becoming a Vet Assistant and a Vet Technician there is a big difference in the amount of pay rate comparison. A Vet Assistant’s annual earned is $24,430 and a Vet Technician’s annual earned is approximately $31,570 (careertrend.com, 2017). According to the online research on Careertrend.com there will be a high increasing need for Vet Technicians in the upcoming years, but the need for Vet Assistants does not have a very high demand in the upcoming
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, “Veterinary Technologists and Technicians” on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos183.htm, 28 Oct. 2011. Web. 09 March. 2012.
To become a vet tech you have to go through the proper education and training required. An associate’s degree in veterinary technology is required to become a vet tech and takes about two years to accomplish (Exploring Medical Careers). An internship may also be a requirement of the tech course (Interview with a Veterinary Technician). Along with the degree, the Veterinary Technician National Exam must be passed to become certified. These tests cost $300.00 and are 170 questions long. The VTNE also offers two practice exams, each $45, to help one prepare for the actual exam (Vet Tech | VTNE | Veterinary Technician National Examination.). After becoming certified, a vet tech may have to undergo on the job training under supervision by a vet or an experienced vet tech (Collegegrad.com).
Vet Tech has always been an option for me, helping animals is something that is very interesting. It was introduced in 1989, the AVMA officially adopted the name “Vet Tech.” In 1998, emergency vets debut on Animal Planet. And in 2008, student population grows from 500 to 700. There are about 17,000 people employed in the career field chosen. Some of the common trends of the job would be, working at Zoos, Aquariums, Boarding Kennels, and Wildlife sanctuaries. These jobs are usually found working in an animal clinic or hospitals and sometimes at farms because that is the “normal” areas for this occupation. In this career there are some general duties such as: Observe animals behavior and conditions, Provide nursing care, Bathe animals, Clip nails, groom animals hair, keep animals calm during exams or procedures. The more specific duties of the job would be to: take x-rays of animals and develop them, get utensils and prepare the animals for surgery, keep and record patient's history. Most of the clinics are open 24 hours. There is not anything that is unusual about the number of hours/nature of the job. (Bls.gov.vettech)
A vet tech can work in different work environments, such as animal hospitals, and private clinics. Working in various, environments create skillful tasks, which include: lab work, radiology, nursing care, surgery, x-rays, and assisting veterinarians in surgeries (Money Careers). Each of these tasks require their own abilities helping needy animals, for example: lab work deals with collecting samples of tissue, blood, and urine, nursing involves with taking care of the animals after the surgeries and checking on how their responding to the procedure (U.S. Bureau of Labor).
Surgical Technicians are needed tremendously for a surgical procedure to run smoothly. For surgeries, hospitals and offices are staffed with a trained medical team ready to take action when they are needed too. The most important position beside the surgeon is, a Surgical Technician. ‘A Surgical Technician can be related to how they interact with a patient, how they prepare the tools and operating room for surgery, along with their ability to assist and react to the needs of a surgeon.”
"There are only about 25 schools specializing in veterinary work in the United States, and it's challenging to get in," she states. Not only do you need at least $147,000 for a four year tuition at a public institution today, but the admission rates are often somewhere between 6.8% and 34.9%. "Additionally, you need to get an undergrad college degree before attending, prerequisites in biology, chemistry, math, and any other required courses, and you need really good grades in them." Clearly, the veterinarian work isn't cut out for just anyone.
After review of my skills, interests, and experiences, I decided to pursue the medical career field as my first career choice, more specifically as a physician assistant. I will exceed in this position in the interest of that I like to help people and I solve problems well. Also, I communicate well with others and I have a great amount of patience. There are various careers that fit my skills and interests, but this one grabs my attention. My dream job is to be a doctor, but this occupation allows one to save money by lessening the years of school required. Also, the pay isn’t too shabby either. I will be successful in this position due to my skills, characteristics, and values, like honesty and helping others. Up to this point, I have job shadowed at a medical billing company and I like the idea of diagnosing and helping people, but a desk job is not ideal. Also, I took a medical terminology as a class and I discovered that I like how the body works and what it does. These factors have all influenced my career goal.
Veterinary technician needs 2 years of college. Vets need to take biology, sciences and as well as math. Vets work with all different types of animals. What did vet do in the past. What was the pros and cons to being one and what was the skills for the job.
You also must deal with the animals in a safe, humane manner. You must be very aware of the proper procedures for using certain tools and also follow specific procedures for tasks as simple as placing animals in cages. You must know all of the terminology in your practice. Responsibilities and duties of a veterinary assistant differ at different vet clinics, but for the most part veterinary assistants are responsible and held accountable for a lot of tasks, so you must listen and work hard at what you do.
A medical assistant and a nurse are both in the same located in the medical field. They both treat basic patient care. The basic patient care they both do as MA and Nurse is assisting their patients with hygiene and feeding. Also, making sure the environment in which the patient is in is clean enough and sterilized. They can either prepare their patients for diagnostic testing or procedures.
I chose a career as a medical assistant because of the rewards I knew I would experience on a daily basis. Seeing a patient smile because I have helped them understand, or just making them feel comfortable with their visit, is just one of the many perks of my job. Upon graduating from an accredited college such as The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP), I now work for one of the most reputable hospitals in my area. Within two short years of committed studies, I obtained my associate of applied science degree, and then went on to obtain my certification as a medical assistant. There is nothing I have found more fulfilling, strong, secure, or rewarding then choosing to become a medical assistant,
The duties and responsibilities a Veterinary Technician has to be able to work any day at any time just like a paramedic. Also a Vet Technician has to keep animals happy while in treatment at the clinic. “On any given day that I am in surgery I wil...
I believe as a veterinary technician I will be faced with many challenges and heartache on a daily basis. I will be introduced to situations that can be hard to bare--seeing animals that show the typical signs and symptoms of malnourishment and abuse. Having to unfortunately euthanize or observe euthanization of an animal due to a chronic illness or financial reasons by the caregiver(s)(“owner”). I will also vaccinate and administer medications to an animal under a veterinarian’s order and supervision. I will perform alongside the veterinarian with examinations and obtain bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or feces for further diagnosis. I will be present in observing and aiding an animal in need of medical assistance. I will fortunately be there to witness an animal walking on “all fours” along the path to their successful recovery. As a veterinary technician my purpose will be to allow the patient to feel and look healthy. I would love to see the caregivers’ faces change from concerned to relieved and thankful. I realize as a veterinary technician I will have to accept the good moments along with the bad.
A medical assistant is almost like the right hand man to the physician. Although the job varies depending on the job setting, medical assistants have to learn the same basic things like taking vitals and charting. The fact that medical assistants are trained in both an administrative setting and a clinical setting sets them apart from other professions like a CNA. A medical assistant is the communication line between a physician and their patient. They inform the patient so that the physician has time for their other patients and are also the one person that the patient needs to trust besides the physician themselves.
One of the first important steps is to think about the skills and interest a person has and how will it would work well with the career they are pursuing. One of the many ways to pursue a career being a veterinarian assistant is working with animals in a pet shop, at a farm, or volunteering at animal shelter. Getting more experience with animals can be a good thing following this career. Working with animals gives a person a general sense of what it is like when a person works with animals. Animals often require a lot of attention depending on their age. Although working with animals may not be for everyone, it is mainly just for people who really have an interest with animals and wants to work with animals in their future. Veterinary assistants advance their career through hands on work and training. Another way to start a career in being a veterinary assistant after high school is by either getting a GED or going to a technical school and get a degree there to better help your chance on getting a job and a better pay than just working with just a GED. In a technical school, the classes a person will take will mainly revolve around scientific classes, some lecture classes, and some laboratory work. Towards the end of their courses, the person will learn office and patient procedures Some veterinarians prefer to hire assistants who have been certified by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in