Veterinary Medicine Professions and Education Overview
Learn about various professions in veterinary medicine including veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and their educational requirements. Explore salary expectations for DVMs and technician/technologists in different practice settings.
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Presentation Transcript
Professions in Veterinary Medicine
Who Works In Veterinary Medicine?
Veterinary Clinic Medicine Veterinarian/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Veterinary Technician/Technologist Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Assistant Practice Manager Customer Service Representatives
Veterinarian Education Requires an undergraduate degree in a related biological study: Must be a 4 year/bachelor's 4-8 year specialist degree -Over 40 recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Animal science, pre-medical, zoology, biology, Ophthalmology -Eyes 4 year doctoral program Orthopedic surgery -bone and joints Prepares for general practice. Exotics -non cat/dog mammals, reptiles, birds General surgery, diagnosis, treatment Large/Production animal -Farm animals 7 Hour exam for licensing Zoology
DVM Salary Expectations Typical starting salary for a new DVM is about $60,000 Typical student loans $150,000 - $400,000 Large cities typically have higher wages ($60-80,000 starting) Salary is very dependent on: Large animal practice typically pay less ($40-50,000 starting) Location Speciality clinics pay more ($140,000 average) Type of practice Government ($95,000 average) Specialty Research ($135,000 average ) Years on the job Zoology ($88,000 average) Seniority of course can increase pay and benefits
Veterinary Technician/Technologist Education A technician is a skilled assistant A technician is a 2 year program -all classes are focused on general knowledge Do everything except: A technologist has a 4 year degree in either Animal Science or Veterinary Technology Diagnose disease, prescribe treatment, and perform surgery (depending on state) There are multiple Veterinary Technology Specialties recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Duties include: Lab work, taking medical histories, collect samples, restrain for procedures, monitor anesthesia, place catheters, client education A 3 hour exam required for Certification, but not always required
Technician - no certification ($15-20,000) Technician Salary Expectations Certified Technician - ($15-35,000) Certified Technologist - ($20-40,000) varies depending on clinic Location Specialist - ($20-45,000) Type of practice ER - ($25-40,000) Specialty Research - ($30-50,000) +/- additional certification Years on the job Lead tech can expect a $1-5/ hr pay raise Education level Level of responsibility
Vet Assistant/Kennel Staff No education required A great way to get a foot in the door! General duties: Assisting technicians, cleaning, walking dogs, holding for procedures Many TA s become uncertified technicians through on the job training May be trained to do simple in house lab work like ear smears or running a blood machine Many vet tech or DVM students TA through school to get extra experience $15-30,000/year -More in research
Practice Management Education Education level varies greatly $80,000 per year depending on location, education level, clinic type, and certification A BA in business preferred Can become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Some techs become PM/CVPMs Small clinics the DVM might also be the PM
Customer Service Representatives (CSR) This is the front desk staff CSR -($17-33,000) No education needed, but prior experience or some medical training/medical terminology very helpful Some technicians double as CSRs This is one of the hardest jobs in the clinic MUST HAVE EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS!
Extra Education/Skills Interpersonal Effectiveness Good communication skills are a must! Pets don t bring themselves to the vet! Conflict Management Good memory Philosophy: Ethics Ability to work under stress Medical terminology Physically fit Eager to learn -a lot of continuing education Compassion fatigue
So vet work sounds awesome, but what else can I do?
Where else can I work? Pet food -research, sales Government -USDA Inspections, research, agriculture Pet insurance -sales Military -Research, cavalry, Teaching -Tech programs Biomedical research -animal care to researcher Rescues/shelter medicine-desperate need for technicians to help Pharmaceutical -sales rep through research Wildlife Pet stores -techs in high demand to care for animals/give good nutrition advice Zoos Animal behaviorists/trainers Animal forensics
No one goes into vet med for the money. We do it because we love to help animals and the people who love them
So now what? YOU are Important!! Volunteer! Shadow at clinics Find a mentor Walk dogs at your local shelter Make toys for a local rescue Find your cause and make friends Join a society! Attend lectures at your local college -many are free or broadcast online ASK QUESTIONS!!!
Helping one being wont change the world, but it will change the world for that one being
The End All salary information from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics as of 10/2022
