Veterinary Technology Degree Programs

Veterinary technologists’ with clinical skills and laboratory practice offer their services of love and care to animals. These technologists are required to have a degree majoring in animal care and it is especially for those who want to work in research laboratories and office practices. Being a part of this field, you would have to acquire training which might be intense and demanding. This field might be best for those who are animal lovers and want to care for these wonderful creations of God. So the prerequisites of education and licensing along with job responsibilities should be known before pursing this career.

Overview

Veterinary Technologists are trained individuals who perform many tasks of veterinary under the supervision of proficient veterinarians. They help them examine and diagnose illnesses and injuries in animals like cats, dogs, rats, mice, pigs, sheep, cattle, and birds. These individuals are required to observe the general behavior and condition of animals. Veterinarians perform surgical procedures and technologists help prepare animals before surgery.

Veterinary  Technologists  also check instruments if they are ready and provide anesthesia to animals.Apart from this, they also participate in emergency procedures by giving first aid to injured or recovering animals. Furthermore, these professionals collect samples of blood, tissues and urine from animals to get them tested. These technologists also take x-rays to check for broken bones and internal issues. The prescribed medication, vaccines and treatments by veterinarians are also administered by these individuals. Other administering work is of collecting and recording cases of patients’ histories.

Degree Programs

Associate Level

Those who wish to enter this area of study should start with an associate degree. It prepares students to work under a licensed veterinarian in different research, clinical and hospital settings. As a part of this degree, you would be taught to anesthetize animals, use diagnostic equipment and intermingle with animal owners. Associate level degree is of two years and common courses taught are animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, microbiology, parasitology, chemistry, animal radiology, laboratory procedures, veterinary medical terminology,  veterinary assisting, and veterinary surgical care.

Bachelors Level

Those who want to avail additional career opportunities should go for a bachelor’s level degree. It focuses on providing students with clinical clerkship and pre-clinical training so that they could work as professional technologists. This is a four year degree program in which students are required to complete 120 hours of different courses. Among them are molecular biology, nutrients and veterinary technicians, medical terminology in veterinary medicine, small animal nursing skills – small animals, pharmacology, veterinary hospital procedures, and large animal nursing skills – clinical pathology for veterinarian technicians, preventive animal health care and veterinary radiology.

Career Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of these technologists is expected to grow by 52% in the coming years whereas it projects that technologists and technicians from this field held about 78,800 jobs in 2011. These people mostly work in animal hospitals, private clinics and veterinary laboratories.

Salary Outlook

Veterinary technologists earn $31,570 per year. The top 10% has a pay of $44,740 per annum. (BLS)

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