How to Become a Veterinary Technician

This article will go over how to become a veterinary technician. If you’re considering becoming a veterinary technician, it helps to have an overview of the entire process. This is not an especially hard career to get into. It does not require excessively large educational or credentialing time spans and it allows you to get experience helping animals in veterinary environments.

Complete a Training Program

The first thing on your “how to become a veterinary technician” list should be finding a reputable training program, enrolling in it, and completing it. These programs are typically 2 years in length and yield an Associate degree. These programs are generally sufficient and go over various aspects of the trade – animal anatomy and physiology, medical testing procedures, various treatment and care procedures, medications, administrative/record keeping aspects of the job, and professional ethics and legality.

Four year programs offer still more in depth training and will qualify you to take more advanced and supervisory type veterinary technician type positions.

Take the State Exam

The next step concerning how to become a veterinary technician involves passing a state credentialing examination. Most states use an exam called the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam which covers. In order to register for this exam, contact your school, your local department of education, or local department of labor. Though many states use this standardized national exam, some have their own credentialing exams. Different states also have different ways of classifying a veterinary technician as competent to work. Some may grant registration upon passing the exam, others give a certification title, and still others grant licenses to veterinary technicians.

Become an AVMA Member

Consider becoming a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This is one of the main professional organizations in the field and offers a variety of benefits to veterinary technicians and veterinarians such as informational resources, opportunities for continuing education, discounts on veterinarian oriented products and services, and publications.

Create a Great Resume

Once you have completed your training program, gotten an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, and passed your state exam, it’s time to get ready to job hunt. But first you need a great resume that will impress potential employers into hiring you. Resumes should be brief and to the point, using numbered or bulleted lists, easy to read headings such as your strong points, education, and experience, and highlight the fact that you’re the best person for the job. There are many sample resume templates available online, and your school or local employment office can also help and advise you here.

Find a Veterinary Technician Job

With your resume in hand, start looking for a great job. You can consult the local newspaper, online job listing sites, and employment offices or agencies (both public and private) to get a good list of jobs to which to apply. The more job prospects on your list the better. This will allow you the most choice as regards salary and the types of work you would like to do. Schedule interviews, be friendly and confident, and show them your resume. If you are well educated and credentialed, you should have no problem finding a job.