Veterinary Technician Assistant

A veterinary technician assistant's duties vary, but include giving anesthesia, monitoring a dog's vital signs during surgery, do medical testing, take blood and tissue scrapings and run them, get vaccines ready for the doctor, and do other lab tests.

The above duties are specifically for a Veterinary Technician. The Veterinary Assistant duties will be stated later on this page.

The vet tech must work well with animals and be compassionate with traumatized pet owners. You must be a kind, caring individual and be understanding of an animal owner's needs.

If you wish to become a veterinary technician, you must complete a two year course as an Associate in Applied Science. You must also have to pass an exam to become certified and licensed.

Requirements are a high school diploma and a good science background of studies.

Courses are credited through the AVMA, American Veterinary Medical Association and cover biology, chemistry and math. Others include specialized courses in anatomy, physiology, nutrition, etc.

After receiving your vet tech degree, you will be able to get your tech license after taking and passing an exam.

This is a great opportunity to work with dogs and other small animals. You can almost always find a job as a veterinary technician because good ones are very hard to come by.

Veterinary Assistant

The veterinary assistant differs from a veterinary technician by way of duties and qualifications.

An assistant is responsible for daily tasks performed for the well being of animals at the hospital.

This job can be cage cleaning, feeding and watering the animals, dog walking, keeping an eye on animals that have just had surgery or have been injured.

Being an assistant, you will probably be preparing and sterilizing lab and surgical equipment.

You will be in the exam room with the doctor, probably holding animals for examination and treatment. You will be under the vet or vet tech's supervision to administer medication or provide care after surgery.

Veterinary assistants are also receptionists. They work the front desk answering the phones, scheduling appointments, greeting pets and owners, record keeping, etc.

Between the veterinary technician assistant jobs, the assistant position does not require college or licensing. It is basically on the job training.

If you have administrative experience and love working with animals, this is the best dog job to have.

I have to relate a funny experience when I was a Veterinary Technician Assistant. Our practice dealt with small, large and exotic animals. The "animal" was brought into the exam room in a big box and I was waiting for the doctor to come in. I wasn't told what was in the box, yet.

Imagine my surprise when the top of the box started to lift and out popped the head of a giant boa constrictor! This guy was eyeing me up like I was dinner! The vet came in right then and started laughing at the look on my face. Of course, we went to work checking the snake out and he was really a good patient. I was glad to see him leave, though.

Looking back, I feel my experience in the veterinary field helped me become well rounded and increased my love for animals.