Vet Tech Schools In Maine And Guidelines

Vet Tech Schools In Maine

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Becoming a veterinary technician opens a wide variety of career options to the individual, whether they are a newly graduated student or a professional who is seeking to transfer to a more rewarding career.

Those who wish to become a veterinary technician in Maine can look forward to a long-term career in the field of veterinary medicine.

Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Maine

In order to become a licensed veterinary technician in Maine, there are a number of steps that the candidate must successfully complete.

The most common path to becoming a vet tech is given below:

  • Attend one of the accredited vet tech schools in Maine, and complete either a two or a four-year program. It is important that the school be accredited by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), in order for the program to count towards becoming a vet tech. Transcripts must be sent to the state licensing authority from the school, as copies provided by the graduate will not be accepted.
  • The candidate must then take the Veterinary Technical National Examination (VTNE), and achieve a passing score of at least 425. This test is given by the AAVSB, not the state. The candidate must have his or her scores directly sent to the state by the AAVSB, rather than providing his or her own copies.
  • The candidate must then fill out the application to Maine’s Board of Veterinary Medicine, and pay the registration and licensing fees as directed by the board. These fees may change, so it is important that the candidate check with the board for the most recent prices.

Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Maine via License Verification

An individual who has been licensed as a veterinary technician in another state may be allowed to obtain a license in Maine without being forced to retake the coursework or tests normally required. In order to have their license verified, they must submit a completed form that provides proof of their status in the other state.

It is important to note that Maine requires that any veterinary technician to have passed the VTNE, no matter their status in another state. If a veterinary technician is licensed in a state that does not require the VTNE, then they will have to take and pass the test to practice in Maine, regardless of the fact that they were licensed in the previous state.

The Duties of the Veterinary Technician

A vet tech serves as a professional assistant to a veterinarian, ensuring that the veterinarian receives the best possible help in working with injured and ill animals.

As a part of his or her duties, the veterinary technician will often perform the following services:

  • The vet tech will be in charge of performing the initial examination of a newly admitted animal, taking and recording the animal’s vital statistics and alerting the veterinarian to any symptoms of illness or injury.
  • When a veterinarian orders drugs to be administered to an animal, it will be the veterinary technician that is in charge of actually giving them to the animal, whether orally or via injection.
  • The vet tech will often be in charge of instructing pet owners in how to effectively and safely administer drugs that are sent home with the pet after it is released from the veterinarian’s care.
  • Veterinary technicians will be in charge of taking samples of blood or other materials, preparing them for testing, either at the office or by an outside lab, and recording and transmitting the test results to the veterinarian in charge of the animal.
  • If an injured or ill animal is brought into the veterinarian’s practice, the vet tech may be required to provide the initial first aid needed to stabilize the animal in order to allow the veterinarian to provide long-term care for the animal.
  • In a farm or other site where production animals are housed, the vet tech may have the duty of ensuring that the conditions they are kept in are conducive to their health and comfort. This will also include maintaining records to demonstrate compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • The vet tech must be able to effectively work with hostile, frightened or injured animals, restraining them without injury and ensuring the safety of both the animal and the attending staff.
  • The veterinary technician will often be in the position of interviewing the owners of animals admitted to the practice, ensuring that all relevant information is obtained. This often requires the ability to calmly interview and reassure distraught pet owners.

The Vet Tech Profession in the 21st Century

The modern veterinary technician is a skilled professional who is in considerable demand in the modern veterinary field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) believes that the demand for veterinary technicians will continue to be well above average into the next decade.

Equally importantly, the veterinary technician is a profession that enjoys a high level of prestige among those who care for animals. The growing emphasis society has shown for the effective care of pets and production animals alike has contributed to this increased emphasis on effective veterinary care.

Equally, those vet techs finding employment in local rural or urban veterinary offices will have the opportunity to forge close ties with many pet owners, making this profession both a personally and financially rewarding one.

Vet Tech Programs In Maine

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Schools in surrounding states.

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