Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 122,800 people employed as veterinary technologists and technicians in the United States. The median annual salary is $36,850. Entry level employees earn approximately $28,370 per year and senior employees earn approximately $48,100 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
• Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
• Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
• Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
• Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
• Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
• Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
• Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
• Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
• Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
• Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
• Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
• Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
• Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
• Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
• Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
• Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
• Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
• Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
• Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
• Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
• Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
• Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
• Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.
• Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
• Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
• Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
• Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.

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