Vet Assistant Vs. Vet Tech
Veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians have different roles within their field. While both will try to provide the best care for animals, a veterinary assistant will usually assist a technician in animal care. Technicians are required to receive an education to perform a variety of functions within an animal care practice. Veterinary assistants are not required to go to college or technical school for their training.
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Veterinary Technician
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Before a tech can practice, he must meet requirements. A Veterinary technician is a veterinarian's helper. A technician's job is comparable to the function a nurse provides for a physician. Veterinary technicians undergo a two- to four-year college program to complete their education requirements. According to Manor College's Program of Veterinary Technology, technicians need to graduate from an American Veterinarian Medical Association program that is accredited, pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam and then become licensed within their state. Additionally, a technician will need to renew her license every two years.
Technician Responsibilities
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Technicians can assist in improving the health of zoo animals. Technicians are often responsible for performing tests that include blood tests, urinalysis or taking tissue samples. A technician can also take X-rays of your pet and record your pet's case history. If your pet must undergo a surgical procedure, a technician will administer the anesthesia, as well as assist the vet in surgery. Veterinary technicians can be employed in a variety of practices, such as biomedical research, zoo or wildlife medicine, livestock health management and of course, veterinary practices.
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Veterinary Assistant
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An exam isn't necessary to become a vet assistant. According to the National Association of Veterinarian Technicians in America, a veterinary assistant may develop some form of animal care training through a class in high school, a college certificate program or through classes on the Internet. The skills required to assist in a veterinary practice will mostly be learned by assisting the veterinary technician or vet. A veterinary assistant won't need to undergo an exam to be hired for his position.
Veterinary Assistant Roles
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Clerical work may be a part of your job as a veterinary assistant. Veterinary assistants will help hold and calm an animal while the pet is receiving its shot. A veterinary assistant may also need to perform clerical work, administer medications, monitor animals, sterilize equipment and perform kennel cages. Assistants can also help educate the public about spaying or neutering their pets.
Considerations
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Working with animals is a growing field. Both veterinary technician and veterinary assistant are relatively low-paying jobs, but they are fast-growing jobs. The median salary of a veterinary technician was just under $29,000 a year as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinary assistants make quite a bit less, around $21,700 as of 2009, according to O-Net Online. However, growth in both jobs is expected to be well above average for all occupations, at least 20 percent for veterinary assistants and 36 percent for veterinary technicians.
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References
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