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For those people who have loved cats, dogs, lizards, and frogs since they were children, becoming a veterinarian technician may be a deeply rewarding job.
Education for a veterinarian technician is the first step that should be taken towards this exciting career.
It involves working with people and domestic or exotic animals in a bustling veterinary clinic where anything can happen.
Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in the pet industry.
Earn your accredited, affordable Veterinary Technician Associate Degree online with Penn Foster!
The development of veterinary medicine makes their role more relevant than ever.
Article Table of Contents
Veterinary Technician Job Description
Depending on the size of the facility, the duties of the veterinary technician may vary.
Some of them might be asked to record animal health care history, take x-rays and draw and analyze the samples of blood.
Other veterinary technicians are there to provide first aid to injured animals and administer prescribed medication.
During surgery, they assist veterinarians by monitoring responses to anesthesia.
Usually, they can be found working in state or private animal hospitals and clinics.
However, their abilities allow them to look for a job in other fields such as research institutions, zoos, humane societies, environmental and public health organizations, to mention just a few.
To successfully perform this job, veterinary technicians have to love animals, treat them with kindness, and follow strict instructions given by the veterinarian.
Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Connecticut
To become a veterinary technician, you will need to finish a veterinary technician school or program which usually takes two years to be ready for state exams and licensing requirements determined by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities(CVTEA).
The veterinary technology programs accredited by the AVMA in Connecticut are:
The compulsory prerequisites for the application are a high school diploma or GED.
You can apply online after paying a small fee after which you might be interviewed by a program faculty member.
Educational Requirements for Veterinary Technicians in Connecticut
Why is education important proves the fact that the life of animals might depend on your ability to help the veterinarian during the surgery, give them first aid or proper medication?
The veterinary technician has to know how to use instruments and laboratory equipment with care which cannot be learned during a regular secondary education.
The courses that you need to pass before starting veterinary technician education are biology, chemistry, math, and introductory computer skills.
In the first year, you will be studying communication, math, social science, behavioral science, and humanities, and in the next semesters, you will have parasitology, radiology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, etc.
Veterinary technicians can decide to specialize in:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
The final semester consists of an externship in an animal facility.
The finishing of the education is followed by the Associate’s Degree in veterinary technology, but only after you pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination.
Connecticut is the state which does not require the license, so the achievement of the degree allows you to start working.
As the educational fees and costs vary from one program to the other, the most correct information can be found on a school’s website.
Financial aids are also available and you can apply for it through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website.
Job Prospects in Connecticut
Completing the appropriate accredited program and achieving a diploma leads to a lot of job opportunities.
Job prospects in Connecticut are promising as the employment of veterinary technicians is expected to grow.
People focused on helping the animals and who have achieved the required education should look for a perfect job.
The best way of finding all the desired information about veterinary technician job opportunities is via the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association.
On their website, you have a list of veterinary technician jobs in Connecticut.
Other associations that might help you find a satisfying job are:
Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Connecticut
When looking for a job, veterinary technicians should pay attention to details related to salary.
As in any other profession, numerous factors affect the salary such as education, experience, responsibilities, work setting and working hours of the facility and the technologist.
It is reasonable that the higher annual salary is offered to those employees that are more experienced and devoted to their job, as well as to those who work night shifts and at the weekend.
Novice technicians have to fight for their place in the clinic and deserve higher salaries.
The average salary of veterinary technicians in Connecticut is $39,840.
It ranges from $ 39 058 in New London up to $ 42 079 in Greenwich.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport,CT | $41,467 |
| Bristol,CT | $39,423 |
| Danbury,CT | $40,524 |
| East Hartford,CT | $39,479 |
| Fairfield,CT | $41,467 |
| Greenwich,CT | $42,079 |
| Hamden,CT | $40,153 |
| Hartford,CT | $39,479 |
| Manchester,CT | $39,479 |
| Meriden,CT | $39,423 |
| Milford,CT | $41,467 |
| New Britain,CT | $39,423 |
| New Haven,CT | $40,153 |
| New London,CT | $39,058 |
| Norwalk,CT | $42,079 |
| Norwich,CT | $39,240 |
| Stamford,CT | $42,079 |
| Stratford,CT | $41,467 |
| Waterbury,CT | $39,350 |
| West Hartford,CT | $39,479 |
| West Haven,CT | $40,153 |
Regional Salary in Connecticut
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 530 | $52,040 | $25.02 | $73,110 | $39,380 |
| Danbury, CT | 110 | $47,450 | $22.81 | $61,710 | $37,240 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 620 | $47,970 | $23.06 | $60,600 | $37,150 |
| New Haven, CT | 290 | $48,160 | $23.15 | $61,410 | $37,620 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 130 | $46,690 | $22.45 | $59,380 | $36,770 |
| Waterbury, CT | 70 | $47,170 | $22.68 | $59,390 | $36,670 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Veterinary Technician’s Duties
The desire to work with and help animals is not enough to become a successful veterinary technician.
Great veterinary care technicians must be well-educated, dedicated to their job, reliable and hard-working.
Even though it looks that the work of a veterinary technician is an easy one, this occupation can be physically and emotionally very demanding as their daily problems and issues cannot be predicted.
Veterinary technicians are there to perform tests and routine examinations or assist during a surgical procedure.
They are in charge of the patient from the moment of entering the facility until that animal islet home.
Summary
All in all, if you are a person who can finish all the above-mentioned requirements, who has great communication skills, and you think that you will manage to spend your days connecting veterinarians and animals then this is an ideal vocation for you.
You should not forget that you will be successful only if you possess empathy skills to provide consolation and understand the feelings of distressed pet owners if you can multi-task and if you are good at organization and time management.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technicians by State