How Can I Become a Veterinary Technician?
Dear Doctor Barchas,
I am hoping of one day become a vet-tech, and I was wondering what kind of things I should do to gain experience before colledge. Are there any certain jobs I should apply for, or programs I should enter before I reach college, that will assist my teachings or prepare me for a veterinary science career. I have bought many books, that can be found anywhere in my bedroom, and I own both a cat, Missy, and a dog, Duet.
I was also wondering, what kind of rewarding achievments come from being involved in the veterinary feild. I can not wait to receive your response to my questions.
Rebecca
Tuba City, AZ
Veterinary technicians, also called veterinary nurses, help in many ways with animal care in veterinary facilities. Duties of veterinary technicians depend upon training (both on-the-job and formal), experience, license level, and the culture of the facility in which the technician is employed. Well-trained, licensed veterinary technicians engage in such activities as phlebotomy (drawing blood for diagnostic tests), placing intravenous catheters, anesthetizing animals, performing basic dental work, taking X-rays, monitoring blood transfusions, placing splints and bandages, and assisting with surgeries and emergencies.
It is possible to become a veterinary technician without formal education. However, licensed veterinary technicians must complete a special educational program and pass a licensing test. Licensed technicians legally can perform many more duties than unlicensed techs. Licensed technicians are in high demand, and command higher salaries (and usually higher status) than their unlicensed counterparts. If you are truly passionate about becoming a technician, I’d recommend that you plan on completing a veterinary technician program as soon as appropriate.
While you are preparing for tech school, you can begin to gain experience by applying for work at a veterinary hospital. Many technicians start off as kennel attendants or veterinary assistants before being promoted. Entry level animal care jobs at veterinary hospitals usually involve a lot of cage cleaning, dog walking, and poop scooping. But most kennel attendants and vet assistants also learn to restrain animals safely for procedures and injections. They assist the vets and the techs with treatments and procedures. They learn the inner workings of the hospital. They also gain insight into whether they truly want to commit to a career in the veterinary field.
If you are too young to work at a veterinary hospital, I’d recommend that you explore the possibility of volunteering with animals. Many animal shelters and SPCAs utilize volunteers to socialize (and sometimes provide medical treatments to) stray cats and dogs. Zoos, aquariums, museums, and wildlife rescue organizations also often are in need of volunteers.
No matter what, I recommend that you apply yourself to school and to studying. Good study habits will help you through tech school and the licensing exam. And good grades will open up a world of opportunities for you regardless of the career you choose.
Related post: How can I become a veterinarian?
You have questions. 
The American Veterinary Medical Association has info on how to become a veterinary technician: http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/careers/technology_brochure.asp#formats There are many places that offer vet tech jobs with hands on daily contact with animals, not just vet hospitals.
Whether or not your duties are restricted if you are unlicensed definitely varies from state to state. In Rhode Island, where I work, it is not required to be a licensed technician and all of the techs at my workplace, licensed or not, are allowed to do all the work you listed. In fact, some of the better ones are full on-the-job trained.
In nearby Mass, it IS required. We have at least two MA residents that commute to our practice because they would otherwise just be an assistant in MA.
Rebecca, I am currently a Veterinary Technology student through Purdue University’s distance learning program. I highly recommend it. There is no “cap” on class size and all reasonable applicants are accepted. You can take as many classes per semester as you and your advisor think is reasonable. Following the recommendations (which are written for part-time students) the program takes five years. I think it could be done in two if some could dedicate full-time to it. You also need to work with a veterinarian or credentialed vet tech who can oversee your exams and clinical work requirements. Check it out at:
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vtdl/vtdlhome/
The requirements for being a veterinary technician definitely vary from state to state as do the type of credentials that are granted to technicians.
For Rebecca, either a degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited school or 2 years of work under a licensed DVM is required before she can apply to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. A complete packet of information on applying for certification can be found here: http://www.vetbd.state.az.us/userfiles/file/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20cvt_application_packetRev%2008.14.09(1).pdf
As for getting experience before attending college, I would recommend that anyone considering a degree in veterinary technology spend some time volunteering or working as an assistant at a veterinary facility. This gives you valuable experience to help you in school but it also lets you see what the job really entails. I have seen many people enroll in a veterinary technology program and then drop when they found out what the job was really like.
I have worked in the veterinary technology profession for more than 15 years now and can’t think of anything I would rather do.