Taking an animal to the veterinarian for a checkup is something most owners don't enjoy. In an effort to keep patients from waiting too long and to ease some of the stress associated with taking an animal for a checkup, most clinics employ a vet tech. Vet techs are educated to understand the basics of pet heath, to complete some of the paperwork, and most importantly, to help relax the animal. Finding a good vet tech can be the difference between a bad experience and a great one.
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Function
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When humans go to the doctor, they have their vitals checked and sometimes even get examined by a nurse before the doctor enters the exam room. For animals, the vet tech is similar to a nurse. Though their job description varies from clinic to clinic, vet techs may be required to check-in animals, get owners and their pets settled into a room, complete a basic questionnaire with the owner regarding the problem, take the animal's temperature, give vaccinations and perform checkups on animals that must stay overnight in the office.
Personality
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When looking for a vet tech to hire or when choosing which vets office to visit, the personality of the vet tech should be taken into consideration. The vet tech should be able to communicate in a manner that's positive for the pet owner and, in a way, that makes the animal feel comfortable. Good vet techs spend time getting to know the pet and understanding the basics of the situation before passing on the news to the veterinarian. Vet techs should understand their job is to work with the patient and should be able to address any concerns the owner may have regarding care. For many people, their pet is part of the family, therefore, having a vet tech with a caring yet professional personality is critical.
Professionalism
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Veterinarian technicians should exhibit professionalism at all times. They should remain professional even during tough cases and should always have the best interest of the animal at heart. Some vet techs have a better bedside manner than others, and while this is important, it should not be the owner's top concern. Quality vet techs understand the line between acting professional and unprofessional and know how to keep their cool at all times.
Education
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Most states require those entering into veterinary medicine to hold a degree or certification. There are a number of quality schools around the nation offering vet tech or vet assistant programs. These programs aid the tech in identifying problems that present in their patients as well as understanding the ethical guidelines they must adhere to. Vet techs must also complete continuing education credits to keep their certification and stay up to date on the latest in treatment and diagnosis.
Misconceptions
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The vet tech is not the doctor treating the pet in most situations, though they will have some contact with the animal. Many owners believe the vet tech should be able to diagnose their animal, but in most cases, the diagnosis is left up to the veterinarian. It's important that owners don't expect this out of the vet tech assigned to their case. A good vet tech knows when to seek out help from the doctor or another professional in the facility and is always willing to listen to the customer.
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