[RockyMountainGal]

I'm considering becoming a vet technician, and I was wondering if there where and any vet tech. on here that could give me some advice about the job.. I'm just not for sure if I have what it takes to do a job like that.

 

[redneckprincess70]

I'm not a Vet. Tech. However I have worked in two vet offices and managed two pet stores. So I hope this little bit helps

First, be prepared to deal with very ill animals. This WILL be heartbreaking.

Second, be prepared to deal with very injured animals, such as hit by car or shot be gun. This will make you want to hurt someone.

Third, be prepared to watch and/or assist in the passing of someones beloved pet. This will also be very heartbreaking. You will see large grown men cry like babies and have to explain to them you did all you could.

Decide if you are wanting to Tech for small or large animals. There is a big difference in the volume of work to be done and the available positions in your area.

Decide on your continueing education after your initial certifications. You may want to continue on as a surgery Tech. These positions pay more and your education is much more extensive. You will continue on to learn about surgical instruments, sterilization, anesthesia, etc, etc..

I hope this has helped, along with everyone else who will offer advice. Good luck and I hope you go far and become very successful in assisting with saving our beloved animals

 

[RockyMountainGal]

thanks for the help..

I do love animals.. I'm just not sure I have the passionate love it takes to work with animals all the time.. don't get me wrong I love animals and hate to see them suffer.. lol does that sound wrong

 

[kevinshorses]

Also be prepared to not get paid much. Vet Techs around here make $8-10 per hour so it may not be worth the two years you spend in school.

 

[justsambam08]

^^It really depends on where you live. Around here (Florida), they get paid as much as $30/hr. I know it jumps from 8-10 like kevins said to at least 16/hr once your certified....of course, our minimum wage is 7.25. I work at a dog daycare/kennel and am in school to be a vet tech, and its NOT fun. If you're queasy about blood or seeing an animals insides, or doing things like taking fecal samples, sticking animals with needles, or don't think you can handle restraining someones 80 lb labrador while he gets his yearly vaccinations, I wouldn't recommend getting the job.

 

[White Foot]

I'm going to Suny Canton for vet tech =) feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[Maverick101]

Also be prepared to not get paid much. Vet Techs around here make $8-10 per hour so it may not be worth the two years you spend in school.

Yep! BTDT! Did most the work for the vet...he come in for his 10 sewconds of fame:lol:... I only got paid 12 bucks an hour...Our min wage is 10. So moved on!

That being said I did enjoy working w/the horses, and w people (for the most part) :wink:

 

[RockyMountainGal]

Can vet techs only work part time if they want?

 

[redneckprincess70]

If you can find a part-time position in your area. If that's what your looking for it may be a starting point to get experience. One of the animal hospitals I worked for was open 24 hours and they are a national chain. VCA Animal Hospital. They offer 24 hour emergency care along with regular vet services and surgery services. How ever they usually only do small animal, such as cat and dog. One of our Vets also did the surgeries and care for our local zoo.

You may consider trying to get on at a zoo as a animal care giver.

Once again, Good Luck

 

[barnprincess]

its a very low paying job.. i know many ppl who went to vet school to go back to become nurses. i did 2 yrs at boces and got a job at a vets office as a vet tech ( they didn't care if you were licensed haha i know thats so bad..) and i only made $8 an hr.. for loooong stressful days . . you wont be able to live and pay off school with that kind of income .. i think actuall vet school is like 9-12 yrs.. pre is 3 or 4 i forget

 

[White Foot]

I have a guaranteed job getting out and the start pay is $21 per hr. I live in NY, so it might be different some where else. I also am going to school for a bachelor, not associate. The more training and schooling you have, the more pay you can ask for.

I disagree with Justsam, I love going to school for it and I have fun everyday. If you have a passion for animals, then you shouldn't care about how much you make. There is the sad days of course, but all in all it's wonderful.

Barnprincess, It's 4 years for prevet and if your lucky you will get into a DVM program, it can sometimes take a person 6-7 years to even get accepted into the program. Then once in, it takes another 4 years, if you make it though the tough course. That is what I'm trying to go for, large animal veterinarian.

 

[barnprincess]

The more training and schooling you have, the more pay you can ask for.

you dont choose what you get paid.. its all up to the vets office.. most dont pay over $12 an hr. nurses get $24 an hr.. people nurses haha. some make up to $50 an hr. but vets dont. unless you open your own practice. i live in ny too.. i worked in a few vet offices so thats how i know lol

 

[White Foot]

That's exactly what I did, it depends on where you go. I've been doing my job shadow with my vet for a year now. So yes, we did know each other before. He offered me $10 to start but I said no and I thought it would be fair if I received more. With the amount of knowledge and schooling I'm receiving he told me I would be guaranteed to start at $21.

The other places I interviewed for said I could only start at $11hr and they wouldn't offer me more unless I got more than an associate, so they basically said come back when you have your bach degree in animals and then we will talk.. You also don't have to settle, unless your just starting to work, for a set pay. Most jobs will let you bump it up, if you're worth the "bump".

What boces did you go too? I know they took it out of our boce programs because of liability..

 

[barnprincess]

agreed. but you will probably have to settle for less than hope to get a raise in time.

 

[heyycutter]

i got into vet tech school but im still deciding if i wanna do it. it takes alot of chemistry and bio and im not great at those =/

 

[White Foot]

Barnprincess, yeah I got lucky with knowing a veterinarian. I'm sure if I didn't I would have to settle.

Heyycutter, you can always get a tutor =)

 

[tealamutt]

Equestriun, since this is the internet, please just take this as curiosity, not attack. Why are you going to become a vet tech if you want to become a veterinarian? I was an unlicensed tech for a long time and thought about getting licensed but then I realized I don't want to be a tech, I want to be a vet so that is what I decided to pursue. They are very different jobs with very different educational back grounds and aims.

I'm a second year vet student now so I have a lot of experience with applying, getting accepted, and the curriculum once you're in. A tech degree won't help with vet school, so since that is your ultimate goal, I don't see why you don't just go for it!

 

[tealamutt]

I'm considering becoming a vet technician, and I was wondering if there where and any vet tech. on here that could give me some advice about the job.. I'm just not for sure if I have what it takes to do a job like that.

A good way to see if you can handle it, is to see if you can shadow a vet in your area for a few days. I have worked in a few vet hospitals and have seen more than one person leave the job quickly because they didn't realize that the majority of their day is spent with sick and injured animals. Sometimes it is the exact thing that makes an animal lover want to be a vet or a vet tech, which keeps them from being able to do the job- too much compassion. On the other hand, some people take to it like a duck to water. You'll never know til you get out and try it and I strongly suggest that you do, because it would be awful to waste all that time and money on school to find out you don't want to be doing the job.

 

[horseluver250]

I have had my vet tech license for 4 years now and worked in a hospital for 2 1/2 weeks haha. I did my preceptorships at small animal offices, hated that, so I got a job at an equine hosptial... hate that even more! Seeing ill/injured animals was not the bad part, because you know you are trying to help them. What I didn't like was being in an office with a lot of people, I don't handle stress well and didn't like making so little. I have lived in 3 states (NY, KY, and PA) since then and I have NEVER seen offices paying over $10 an hour. Even Rood and Riddle only pays $9 an hour for surgical assistants (wear I served my 2 1/2 weeks).

 

[tealamutt]

ha ha, horseluver. That isn't too unusual actually. Even a lot of people who graduate from vet school don't practice for more than a couple of years. You make a terrific point though- it is a very emotional job and there are often interpersonal issues to resolve as you are crammed in a small workplace during emotionally charged situations for long stressful hours. Oh and did I mention that most of your co-workers will be women which can have the effect of increasing work place drama. Definitely shadow around first, then decide if it is the right job to pursue.

That is awesome that you did a preceptorship and Rood and Riddle, I'm hoping to get an externship there in 2 years.