Pre-Veterinary Medical Technology
Pre-Veterinary Medical Technology is great for students who love to and want to work with animals, but they don’t have the time to devote seven years to veterinary school.
Click here for course listings and details (Major 770).
Education
Veterinary medical technologists are associated with food animal, equine, and small animal practices; public health organizations;
federal and state regulatory agencies; animal related industries; laboratory animal medicine; animal and biomedical research; zoo and wildlife practices; and shelter practices. Students who successfully complete this curriculum are eligible for the Associate of Arts degree.
Most entry-level veterinary technicians have a 2-year associate degree from an accredited community college program in veterinary technology in which courses are taught in clinical and laboratory settings using live animals.
What can I expect for a career in Veterinary Medical Technology?
Veterinary technologists and technicians typically conduct clinical work in a private practice under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Veterinary technologists and technicians often perform various medical tests and treat and diagnose medical conditions and diseases in animals. For example, they may perform laboratory tests such as urinalysis and blood counts, assist with dental care, prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and assist veterinarians in a variety of other diagnostic tests. While most of these duties are performed in a laboratory setting, many are not. For example, some veterinary technicians record patients' case histories, expose and develop x rays and radiographs, and provide specialized nursing care. In addition, experienced veterinary technicians may discuss a pet's condition with its owners and train new clinic personnel. Veterinary technologists and technicians assisting small-animal practitioners usually care for small pets, such as cats and dogs, but can perform a variety of duties with mice, rats, sheep, pigs, cattle, monkeys, birds, fish, and frogs. Very few veterinary technologists work in mixed animal practices where they care for both small pets and large, nondomestic animals.
How much can I earn?
Median annual wages of veterinary technologists and technicians were $28,900 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,580 and $34,960. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $19,770, and the top 10 percent earned more than $41,490. Veterinary technologists in research jobs may earn more than veterinary technicians in other types of jobs.
Reference:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated Monday, August 08 2011 @ 01:55 PM CDT|896 Hits 