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Any vet techs here?; Wondering what your job is like
Topic Started: Mar 19 2009, 05:43 AM (655 Views)
Onelanerode
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My current field of work is shrinking, and I am looking very hard at getting out and doing something new. I'm looking at becoming a vet tech, and I would like to know more about the job from those who actually do it every day. There is a decent, accredited vet tech program in my area through a community college, but it would require me to become a full-time student for about two years.

My impressions so far are that vet techs are very overworked and mostly underpaid and underappreciated. I'm hearing a lot about clients who are uneducated and frustrating to work with and vets who do not appreciate the work that their techs do. I've also heard that working as a vet tech in the research side is somewhat better than working for a practice.

It also seems that large-animal or equine practices don't tend to hire techs at nearly the same rate as small-animal practices. Can anyone shed light on that? Most of my knowledge and background is with horses, though I do have some with dogs. I also have an animal science minor, along with a bachelor's in a fairly unrelated field. :innocent:

So ... any input would be helpful. :) Good, bad, ugly—doesn't matter. It's all valuable insight. Thanks.
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kady05
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Well, I'm not a tech, but I looked into it a year or so ago because I thought that's what I wanted to do.

I shadowed at my old clinic (my family had been going there for 15 years) for quite some time and realized it wasn't what I wanted, so I highly suggest doing that BEFORE you sign up for school. I also got to talk with lots of actual techs then, so I got lots of insight on the career. Basically, techs typically don't get paid much more than assistants, who don't have to go to school. So, you pay $$$ for 2+ years of school, and basically make the same amount as someone who did no school. I'm sure this varies from state to state, but this was the case around my area.

They also told me that there's really no room for advancement as a tech, and that the job really doesn't pay well. Be prepared for long hours, dealing with sometimes dangerous/aggressive animals, etc.

In the end, I decided it wasn't the right job for me due to those things, and the fact that I decided I didn't want to be around sick animals all the time. It was depressing.
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OpticalIllusion
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I work for an equine vet that specializes in high end performance horses. Our tech works hard. He goes with the vet to every call that is made. He makes sure the truck is fully stocked every morning. He is also our xray tech so he is in charge of all that too.

He works very long hours in all weather. Ive heard its a low paying job for people, however ours gets paid well, so its not every vet. He tends to get a little cranky from time to time, but one would expect that. He basically has no time to have a life other than work. He is here at 7am and usually not home until 6 or 7 pm, sometimes later, and sometimes has to go on the emergency calls at night. He rarely gets days off, scheduling vacation is a total pain.

I tell him all the time I dont know how he does it.
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Buryinghill1
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You might check out your local community college and ask what degree you could get (quickly) with your current training.

My hospital has a program for those with a BA or BS in any field. For one year you go through an intense training program to get an RN. You are in school full time, and they give you a stipend to live on. At the end of the year, after you pass your boards, you are an RN. Your obligation to the hospital is 2 years of work. Not bad. Most of the people that are doing this are going into the OR. Short days, big money. Stressful to some (most I have talked to said it wasn't for them).

I wonder if there are programs like that for vet techs??
Edited by Buryinghill1, Mar 19 2009, 06:43 AM.
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sheepwithagun
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I've worked as a vet assistant for the past couple of years. I really enjoy the field. I like being able to work with animals. I like that it's not always the same thing day after day. It's interesting being able to learn about different diseases/injuries. The pay is crap and the job is super hard on your body. Most of our "techs" have back problems of some sort.
If you have the extra time, I would see if any clinics in your area are hiring for a [very] part time assistant or would let you volunteer. If you do decide it's the job for you, then I'd suggest going to school. On the job training can be sketchy at best. I have to do things [like monitor anesthesia] that I really don't feel comfortable doing because I haven't had much training. I can't just say, "No, I'm not going to do that," though. :brickwall: :brickwall:
As much as I like the job, it just doesn't pay well enough for me. [Plus there are no benefits where I work.] I'm starting nursing school in August. Sixteen months from then I'll be graduating with a BSN.Have you thought about nursing at all?
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Onelanerode
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Thanks for the feedback. :) I've sort of considered nursing, but I do a lot better with animals than people ... though I realize I'd be working with people frequently were I to become a vet tech.

I would imagine nursing would be a pretty recession-proof job though. ;) There's something to be said for that.
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ImJumpin
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I have two friends that did the vet tech deal. Both have echoed what I am seeing posted here. Long hours, hard work, not always appreciated, and crap pay. Also, no room for real advancement. That was the biggy for both of them. While they both liked their jobs, the jobs weren't going to take them anywhere. One is now in her last year of vet school and the other is in nursing school. The one that is in nursing school tried working in the reasearch industry for a bit and found that while the pay was indeed much better, the job was not. She much prefered the vet tech deal and left the just above double salary to go back to the clinic work.
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fhc
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A friend of mine is a Vet Tech. I think it depends on the job. Some vet practices are really making use of the techs, and paying a decent salary. She has been doing a good deal of the practice's dentistry work. She also can go around to barns on her own to give daily meds like tetracycline, replace bandages, etc. I believe she is also on a 4 day work week schedule which she really likes.
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CDE Driver
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My best friend's husband is a board certified veterinary surgeon (boy, that is a mouthful!) All of their cases are referral surgeries, that it is a little different than a "regular" practice. I know they treat their techs well, good pay, benefits and vacation. They have had the same core group there for years.

You may want to look in to a specialty practice.
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buryinghill2
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If you do decide to go into human health care, do it soon. My hospital offers free scholarships with the criteria being that you will be committed to a two year stint here, either in nursing or respiratory care. However, with all the budget cuts and economic changes coming along, this is expected to change. The nursing shortage of a few years ago is almost over, as more and more people have flocked to the health care industry for job security. Therefore, these two year deals are expected to be gone in the near future. It's a great deal if you can get it, but if this is by chance what anyone wants to do, they should do it soon.
Edited by buryinghill2, Mar 19 2009, 09:48 AM.
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sheepwithagun
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buryinghill2
Mar 19 2009, 09:47 AM
If you do decide to go into human health care, do it soon. My hospital offers free scholarships with the criteria being that you will be committed to a two year stint here, either in nursing or respiratory care. However, with all the budget cuts and economic changes coming along, this is expected to change. The nursing shortage of a few years ago is almost over, as more and more people have flocked to the health care industry for job security. Therefore, these two year deals are expected to be gone in the near future. It's a great deal if you can get it, but if this is by chance what anyone wants to do, they should do it soon.
Quick hijack. Sorry!
BH2, do you think that when the shortage ends, will it be difficult to find a job or will hospitals just not be offering the incentives [pay for education, signing bonuses, etc] that they used to? I don't want to spend all this money on school and then not be able to find a job afterwards.


OLR, most of my coworkers are like you..don't want to do nuring because they couldn't/don't want to deal with the people.
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spacely
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I am a tech & was working for a specialist. Good pay, hours, no benefits, but I carry my own. I was laid off last week & am now thinking about going in a totally different direction. I've decided that this field probably isn't for me any longer. I'd think very long & hard about wanting to get into this field. I'm not soured or anything, it's just time to do something else. You will work long & hard for what is very little. You need to decide if that's something you can live with & live on.
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buryinghill2
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sheepwithagun
Mar 19 2009, 11:02 AM
buryinghill2
Mar 19 2009, 09:47 AM
If you do decide to go into human health care, do it soon. My hospital offers free scholarships with the criteria being that you will be committed to a two year stint here, either in nursing or respiratory care. However, with all the budget cuts and economic changes coming along, this is expected to change. The nursing shortage of a few years ago is almost over, as more and more people have flocked to the health care industry for job security. Therefore, these two year deals are expected to be gone in the near future. It's a great deal if you can get it, but if this is by chance what anyone wants to do, they should do it soon.
Quick hijack. Sorry!
BH2, do you think that when the shortage ends, will it be difficult to find a job or will hospitals just not be offering the incentives [pay for education, signing bonuses, etc] that they used to? I don't want to spend all this money on school and then not be able to find a job afterwards.


OLR, most of my coworkers are like you..don't want to do nuring because they couldn't/don't want to deal with the people.
It's really impossible to say which way this will all go in the health care industry. People definitely put their health care needs on hold during a tight economy, and it's being seen in hospitals everywhere.
My brother just lost all his overtime at his nursing job, and they are offering no overtime here where I work. We are also on a hiring freeze here.
I think nursing jobs will probably always be available, but I would not expect paid educations, sign on bonuses, etc. to continue. New grads will probably be looking for jobs, not sought after the way they have been for the last few years.
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Fish Cheeks
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If you're considering going back to school (for anyone out there, I guess...), have you considered any type of therapist programs? It seems like I see ads up the wazoo for occupational therapists! As the baby boomers come into their golden years and they need help with physical problems, I would think that this is a stable field.
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Buryinghill1
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Fish Cheeks
Mar 19 2009, 12:52 PM
If you're considering going back to school (for anyone out there, I guess...), have you considered any type of therapist programs? It seems like I see ads up the wazoo for occupational therapists! As the baby boomers come into their golden years and they need help with physical problems, I would think that this is a stable field.
OT is not a bad gig, depending on where you get employed. Physical Therapy can be rough on your body, again, depending on where you work.

There ARE nursing jobs that have unique patient contact - like the endless ICUs, the ORs, or the PACUs (I work in outpatient PACU). Dealing with families can be the difficult part of the job, or with doctors :psycho: Some of the floor positions are waitress jobs :innocent: - with the addition of giving meds and doing assessments. You could also work in physicians offices (boring as hel* I think), or in assisted living/nursing homes.

There will always be jobs in health care. Radiology would be one of my suggestions. No, you won't be around animals (well, some people are animals!), but you'll be wanted!

Find out which professions have license reciprocity. I am close to the VA line, and they have reciprocity with virtually any license. Could be different elsewhere. If you moved to a different state, it would be usefule to know.

As BH2 said, there have been lots of cuts lately. My hospital offers no more education subsidies. That is KILLING me :pissed:
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