If you are like many other people today and are thinking about becoming a veterinary technician, you may think that loving animals is the only thing that is necessary to work in this lucrative field.
Unfortunately, you need more than a love for animals to be successful as a vet tech.
In fact, there are five questions you should ask yourself before embarking on one of these careers, and they are as follows.
1. Do you think you could be comfortable working with a variety of animals?
This question may not seem very important; however, it is perhaps the most important question you should consider before beginning a veterinary technician career.
Playing with a pet dog or cat is not the same as working with sick or injured animals. When animals visit a veterinary clinic, they are often quite nervous or even terrified.
As such, there is a great chance that you may get bitten, scratched or kicked by a patient. Furthermore, some of your patients could be quite large and difficult to handle.
Veterinary technicians work with a vast array of animals including dogs, cats, horses, rodents, reptiles, zoo animals, marine life and wildlife.
2. Can you work well with people?
When many people think of veterinary technician careers, they often think that these professionals deal strictly with animals day to day.
However, this is simply not so. As a vet tech, you will be working closely with veterinarians and other personnel. As such, you must be able to work well as a team member.
Additionally, you will also be required to interact with pet owners and other clients on a daily basis.
When you talk to these individuals, you will need to be clear and concise. When listening to them, it is essential for you to be attentive and patient. Since some of them may be upset, you must be compassionate as well.
3. Can you adapt to regular changes?
Just as with any other medical field, the field of veterinary medicine is constantly evolving.
New procedures and technology are constantly being introduced into the field. Because of this, as a veterinary technician, you will be required to attend continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Depending on your employer, you may be required to attend various vet tech-related seminars, lectures or workshops as well.
Additionally, before you can renew your vet tech license, most states require you to complete various continuing education courses to ensure that your skills and knowledge are current in the field.
4. Can you work under a lot of stress?
Working as a veterinary technician can be extremely stressful at times, especially when you have to handle large and/or difficult animals.
With barking dogs, numerous potty accidents, distraught pet owners and phones ringing constantly, at times you may feel very frustrated and exhausted.
Furthermore, there will be many times when you will feel like you are trying to perform a million tasks at once.
And in fact, if your place of business is experiencing a particularly busy day, you very well may have to perform several tasks at almost the same time.
For this reason, you must be able to work under extreme pressure and stress.
5. Do you think you can handle euthanasia without breaking down?
One of the hardest tasks of a veterinary technician’s job is performing euthanasia.
Unfortunately, it is also a common task performed in many veterinary facilities, especially in animal shelters.
As such, if you choose to become a vet tech, you will need to prepare yourself for those occasions when you will need to perform this procedure.
Of course, it is an extremely heartbreaking task; however, you must not let it get to you.
When you are faced with performing or assisting with this procedure, keep in mind that you are ending the animal’s suffering and it will be in a much better place. Further, try to focus on the more positive aspects of the career.
While the primary requirement to becoming a veterinary technician is having a love for animals, there are many more things that people need to consider before choosing this career.
If you can answer yes to all of the questions listed above, there very well may be a vet tech career waiting for you.