Careers in Veterinary Medicineand associated animal-related jobs

Elizabeth Warren, LVT

There are many ways to work with animals

Veterinarian Veterinary Technician or Technologist Veterinary Assistant Animal Caretaker or Pet-sitter Veterinary Practice Manager Groomer Animal Control Officer Laboratory Animal Technician Zookeeper Wildlife Rehabilitator Farmer or Rancher Agriculture or Veterinary Educator and many more!

Veterinarian A veterinarian is a Doctor of Veterinary

Medicine (DVM) or Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD), often called a “vet”

Veterinarians have, on average, 8 years of post-secondary (after high school) education

Vets are licensed by the state to practice veterinary medicine (diagnose, treat, and prescribe for their animal patients)

Most veterinarians practice on companion animals (pets)

Veterinary students in surgery at SLU University Animal Hospital by Jenny Svennås-Gillner, SLU

Academic requirements for veterinary students Some veterinary medical colleges do not

require applicants to have undergraduate degrees, but applicants must satisfy certain course requirements. 

Acceptance into vet school is highly competitive in terms of grades, test scores, and work experience.  Applicants may be required to submit scores for one or more of the following:  the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Biology Subject Test. 

Academic requirements for veterinary students Individuals should gain as much experience as

possible working with animals. This experience, both paid and volunteer, is an important factor in the application process to veterinary medical college. 

Veterinary medical colleges require four years to complete. 

After graduation, some veterinarians enter one-year internships for additional training in a particular area.  To become certified in a specialty area, a veterinarian must complete a residency which lasts two to three years.

Veterinarians

Work Environment Financial information Agribusiness Emergency hospitals and

clinics Governmental agencies Military Pharmaceutical companies Private practice Public health departments Research institutions Veterinary colleges Zoos

Average Starting Salary $67,535   Figures according to 2013

data provided by the AVMA: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/default.aspx

Average Cost of Veterinary School 72,000-152,000 Figures according to the

AAVMC: http://aavmc.org/Media-FAQs.aspx

You can start your pre-veterinary college coursework here at ACC:

http://www.austincc.edu/biology/

Veterinary Technician or Technologist A Vet. Tech. is similar to a Nurse for people, but vet

techs do so much more than nurses on a daily basis Their function, in general, is to assist veterinarians

with diagnostic, treatment, and surgical procedures and to educate clients and the public

Veterinary Technicians usually have an Associate’s degree in veterinary technology and Veterinary Technologists have a Bachelor’s degree

Titles, credentialing requirements, and regulations vary by state

Veterinary Technicians in Texas Veterinary Technicians are licensed and

regulated by the state board of veterinary medical examiners and called LVTs

In order to be licensed, candidates must graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and pass state and national board exams

In 2016, there are nine AVMA-accredited veterinary technology programs in TX

AVMA standards The American Veterinary Medical

Association accredits veterinary technology programs in order to ensure that students are receiving adequate and appropriate education and meeting essential standards

There is an extensive set of essential skills that veterinary technology students are expected to acquire. See: https://www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Accreditation/Programs/Pages/cvtea-pp-appendix-i.aspx to review the complete list

Veterinary Technician tasks Surgical assisting Administering and

monitoring anesthesia Obtaining diagnostic

images Performing lab tests Medical nursing Dentistry Physical therapy Client education

Administering medications

Collecting samples Emergency triage and

first aid Administering fluids Placing catheters,

bandages and splints Performing clinical

tests and so much more!

Veterinary Technician Specialties Once credentialed, a veterinary

technician or technologist may choose to specialize in a particular area of practice.

Specialty academies are regulated by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)

In 2016, there are eleven recognized academies (see: http://www.navta.net/?page=specialties)

Specialization usually requires additional work, continuing education hours, and credentialing exams, but no additional formal college coursework

Work Environment Financial information Veterinary hospitals,

including general, specialty, and emergency facilities

Research institutions Governmental agencies Military Pharmaceutical companies Public health departments Veterinary medical and

technical colleges Zoos Animal shelters

Median Salary $30,290   Figures according to 2012

data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm

Average Cost of Education $1300-$30,000 Figures according to

costhelper.com: http://education.costhelper.com/veterinary-technician.html

Veterinary Technicians

Academic requirements for veterinary technology students Prerequisites vary, but most programs

require the student to take and pass college-level biology and/or chemistry,  math, and English courses before being admitted

Program applicants may also be required to take placements exams, document animal or veterinary-related experience, and/or meet other requirements such as minimum GPA

Academic requirements for veterinary technology students Most programs are on-campus, meaning that the

student attends lecture classes in a traditional classroom and hands-on, clinical classes in a facility on campus or at off-campus veterinary facilities in the area

In 2016, there are nine distance learning programs in the United States, including one based in Texas. These programs allow students to complete didactic coursework online and require the student to have a Clinical Preceptor at an off-campus clinical instruction site (usually, but not always, the hospital where the student works) in order to complete clinical tasks

Veterinary Technology at ACC

ACC has recently started a veterinary technology Associate of Applied Science degree program

This program is offered at the Elgin campus. See: http://www.austincc.edu/health/vtht/

Veterinary AssistantACC Veterinary Assistant Program graduate Vanessa at work

Veterinary Assistants are the third member of a “veterinary dream team,” working with a veterinarian and a veterinary technician.

Veterinary Assistants help both DVMs and LVTs with the tasks associated with patient and client care.

VAs are largely unregulated in the United States, so this title is a “catch-all” for anyone working for a veterinarian who does not have another credential

Veterinary Assistant Veterinary Assistants may have formal

training, on-the-job training, or some combination of these.

In Texas, a certification program for veterinary assistants is available from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA)

The certification program is entirely voluntary and although it affords no legal status to those who complete it, CVAs are recognized in the veterinary licensing act.

ACC Veterinary Assistant Program graduate Elsa at work

Veterinary Assistant training

Though not required, most veterinary assistants should receive some formal training in order to gain initial employment, job security, and the ability to advance their position in the veterinary or animal care environment.

Graduates of the Veterinary Clinical Assistant Program at ACC are eligible to take the TVMA CVA exam and are working in many facilities and roles throughout the Austin area.

ACC Veterinary Assistant class

Veterinary AssistantsWork Environment Financial information

Private hospitals and clinics

Not-for-profit and animal welfare organizations

Veterinary teaching hospitals

Animal shelters Boarding kennels Research institutions

Median Salary $23,130   Figures according to 2012 data

provided by the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers.htm

Average Cost of Training Programs $1500-$3000 Figures according to

costhelper.com: http://education.costhelper.com/veterinary-assistant.html

Veterinary Assisting at ACC A certificate, non-credit program is available at

ACC, offered by the Health Professions Institute of the Continuing Education Division

Students attend classes primarily during evening and weekend hours

Coursework can be completed in three semesters Most students work full-time while taking

veterinary assistant classes, either to advance their knowledge and training in their current position, or in order to prepare for a career change to veterinary medicine

See: http://continue.austincc.edu/veterinary

Animal CaretakersWork Environment Financial information

Private hospitals and clinics

Boarding Kennels Animal shelters Stables Pet Stores

Median Salary $19,970   Figures according to 2012 data

provided by the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/animal-care-and-service-workers.htm

Education No formal training is required, though

employers may require a high school diploma, and courses in basic animal care, grooming, and first aid are highly recommended

Feeding and watering animals

Exercising animals Cleaning cages and stalls Monitoring health Basic grooming Administering oral

medications

Typical tasks

File:FEMA - 40654 - Animal shelter in North Dakota.jpg

Animal Control WorkersWork Environment Financial information

Local and state government agencies

Animal shelters Humane organizations

Median Salary $32,560  Figures according to 2014 data

provided by the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes339011.htm

Assist local, state or federal authorities with enforcement of ordinances, policies, regulations and laws pertaining to animal control and animal cruelty involving domestic, wild and endangered animals. Responsibilities include understanding regulations, implementing animal health and hygiene practices, safe animal handling and investigative techniques for collecting and preserving evidence as well as managing stray, injured, diseased, dangerous, or unwanted animals.

Description

Pet GroomersWork Environment Financial information

Retail/small business Self-employed Pet Stores

Median Salary $19,510   Figures according to 2012 data

provided by chron.com: http://work.chron.com/average-salary-professional-dog-groomers-3219.html

Education No formal training is required and

many groomers learn their trade by apprenticing with an established groomer.

There are training programs available, primarily at private vocational schools, which generally cost $3000-$6000. Figures according to careerqa.com:http://www.careerqa.com/questions/how-much-does-animal-grooming-school-cost/

Bathe, brush, trim and provide other grooming services for domestic pets, usually dogs and cats. Pets are either clipped, hand scissored or brushed out according to breed standard or client request. The groomer/stylist may also help pet owners to discover potential animal health problems early.

Description

"2013 2 1anweb750a1" by Masaharu takemori

Veterinary Practice ManagersFinancial information Average Salary

$48,000   Figures according to 2013 data

provided by the VHMA: http://www.vhma.org/?page=VHMACareerCenter

Education A business degree may be required.

Some managers start out as veterinary technicians and are promoted from within. A certification program is available from the Veterinary Hospital Manager’s Association. See: http://www.vhma.org/?page=CVPMCertificationv2

Most Practice Managers work for private practices, where they may be responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing personnel, financial, payroll and accounting procedures, production analysis, inventory, client relations, budgeting, equipment maintenance, creating and implementing staff training materials and programs, maintain OSHA compliance, conducting staff meetings, maintain records, manage website and social media/outreach, and more!

Description

ZookeepersFinancial information Median salary $20,340 

Figures according to 2014 data provided by the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes392021.htm

Education Many positions require a college

degree in zoology, animal science, biology, or a related field as well as at least two years of work or volunteer experience.

There are Associate and Bachelor degree programs in zoo animal management available. See: https://www.aazk.org/zoo-keeper-training/

Zookeepers provide food, shelter, clean living environments, habitat design and maintenance, behavioral enrichment, training, breeding management, public education, and veterinary care to captive exotic, wild animals. The work is difficult and compensation is relatively low, but competition for zookeeper positions can be fierce. Most zookeepers start as volunteers or interns in order to get the experience required to secure a paid position.

Description

"San Diego Zoo April 2013 22" by Abujoy

Getting started Research the career paths that interest you Talk to others in the field Volunteer in an animal shelter, clinic, or zoo Email me! I’m happy to try and answer questions

or provide resources: ewarren@austincc.edu If you aren’t sure which job is right for you, then

the Veterinary Clinical Assistant Program is a great way to learn a lot about working with animals, which may help you decide where you want to go. See: http://continue.austincc.edu/veterinary