How To Become A Vet Tech: Discover Three (3) Accurate Steps

Do you need answers about how to become a Vet tech that will help to care for animals in various conditions? In this blog post, we’ll break down the education needed to build a career in the veterinary industry.

Vet technicians are tasked with helping certified veterinarians conduct medical tests, diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses, and work with pet owners to maintain a high quality of life for their pets. Before knowing the steps to take to become a Vet tech, you should be a caring, passionate, animal-loving person.

Below are how to become a Vet tech within 24-48 months.

Step #1: Postsecondary education requirements

As the certified body for Vet technician programs, The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has established two to four years programs for veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists, respectively. Aspiring Vet techs should complete a two-year associate’s degree available at countless community colleges, tech schools, universities, or specialty schools to sit for their credentialing exam.

Step #2: Undergo all externship & clinical hour

During your postsecondary study, you should get hands-on experience to enhance your learning and develop your required skills in the industry. You can undergo clinical hours in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, shelters, and other animal-related facilities. With this internship or externship, you’ll learn skills such as taking vital signs, performing laboratory tests, administering medications, and assisting in surgeries. Lastly, students will develop an understanding of animal behavior and handling during the training.

Step #3: Certification and passing of the VTNE Exam

In most states, you must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become a licensed Veterinary Technician. After concluding your formal education as a Vet technician, you should pass the credentialing exam organized by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. You should take one during three exam windows each year. Hurry and pass your VTNE exam to become a licensed Vet tech now.

What skills are required as a Vet technician?

Apart from certifications, experience, and education, becoming a Vet Tech requires unique qualities that help guarantee a clinic’s and animal health’s success. Some soft skills will make you successful since you know how to become a vet tech.

Compassion and animal love are first and foremost. You must respond to animals in need with kindness and show empathy when communicating with pet owners. It’s easy to do when you love animals like cats, dogs, rabbits, and other creatures.

Vet techs also need practical communication skills to collaborate with veterinarians and interact with pet owners to help their animals best. Detail-oriented skills will help you observe and report details in operating rooms, examine animals, and record information. It’ll help to process and diagnose perfectly.

Finally, it would be best to have good stamina for lifting animals and staying up for an extended period after knowing how to become a vet tech.

Is there any difference between a vet technician and a vet assistant?

The variance between a vet tech and a vet assistant is the level of education and training needed. A vet assistant executes basic tasks such as feeding and exercising animals, cleaning cages, and taking vital signs. In contrast, a vet tech performs more advanced duties after knowing how to become a vet tech. These include administering medication, performing lab tests, and assisting in surgery.