How Does
How Does a Veterinary Technician Spend a Workday?
Being a Nurse to Animals
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A veterinary technician spends a workday much like a medical nurse would spend the day. They have many of the same responsibilities of nurses in doctor's offices and hospitals. Instead of working with human patients and medical doctors, they work with animals and veterinarians. Although some veterinary technicians specialize in certain areas such as geriatrics, orthopedics, surgery, emergency medicine and the like, many veterinary technicians work without a specialty, doing whatever is asked of them by the veterinarian.
Assisting the Veterinarian
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A veterinary technician spends workday assisting the veterinarian. This will include assisting with euthanasia, giving injections, doing lab work and assisting with examinations and other procedures as directed by the veterinarian.
Caring for the Animals
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A veterinary technician spends the workday caring for the animals. This will include administering medications, starting and removing intravenous drips as well as caring for wounds and drains. The technician will help with the rehabilitation of the animals. This may include different forms of physical therapy, including water therapy, walking the pets and exercising specifics muscles of the animals.
Cleaning
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A veterinary technician spends a workday cleaning. Despite the years of education and training required to become a veterinary technician, they are still required to clean cages, runs, examination tables and other areas. They also use an autoclave to sterilize instruments. Emptying trash cans, sweeping and mopping the floors are also job requirements in some veterinary clinics and hospitals.
Working With Clients
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A veterinary technician spends a workday working with clients. She will help clients learn how to care for their pets, explain the basics of feeding, water and bathing and show the clients how to give medications and care for injured and sick pets. Veterinary technicians also give advice as to the type of pets that would work best with their clients.
Training and Testing Animals
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A veterinary technician spends a workday training and behavioral testing. Some veterinary technicians have specialized training that enables them to be obedience trainers and animal behaviorists. Others use their experience to help with animals that may have behavioral problems. They may teach obedience classes or work with specific animals and their owners with issues they are facing.
Doing Paperwork
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A veterinary technician spends a workday doing paperwork. The technician will log medications and procedures for individual animals in her care. She also makes other notes on the animals' charts, such as behavioral changes and problems, and the concerns of the pets' owners. In some veterinary clinics and hospitals, she may also make and cancel appointments.
eHow Article: How Does a Veterinary Technician Spend a Workday?
