|
A
Day In The Life...
Learn
what a "typical" day is like working in a veterinary career
Part of a continuing series.
See the archive for more Day in the
Life stories.
This month, we get to see what is involved in a typical day for an emergency
clinic veterinary technician.
Hello, My name is
Stacy, I am a veterinary technician at an emergency facility in South
Orange County, California. We're an after-hours facility for when all
of the day practices close. The majority of our cases are emergency.
My hours are from
8 p.m. to 8 a.m. (if I'm lucky I'll leave by 9 a.m.) My job is so rewarding
and tiring at the same time. I've always had a love for animals and
trying to do everything I could possibly do for them. When I became
more involved in high school I found out about the program for R.V.T.'s*,
and not too long after graduation, became enrolled. Working in emergency
has to be the best reward in the animal field. I wouldn't trade it for
the world.
The duties of my
average day are:
- placing IV catheters
- assisting in
emergency surgery - ie...GDV**, enterotomy, etc.
- nursing care
- ie...IV fluids, drawing blood, running blood work on VetTest, placing
orthopedic bandages, x-rays, and client support
- answering phones
- paperwork in
the a.m. when patients are being discharged (Rx, call backs to the
referring DVM, discharge care)
- Making sure
the hospital is cleaned and stocked before I leave
Working emergency
is so fast paced and rewarding that a 18 and a 1/2 hour day goes by
like the average techs 8 hour day in day practice. I'd have to say that
if you choose a job you love you never have to work another day in your
life, and this is what I love to do.
--- Stacy, Veterinary
Technician
*RVT = Registered Veterinary
Technician
**GDV = Gastric Dilitation-Volvulus
Many thanks to Stacy for taking the time to share what a typical vet
tech day is like at her clinic!
If you are a veterinarian, veterinary technician or student, please submit
your story and share what YOUR day is like -- it not only helps those
aspiring to be in a veterinary career, it serves to enlighten pet owners
just what goes on behind-the-scenes at a typical (or not-so-typical?)
vet clinic.
Additional
Reading:
Long
Distance Learning 
Earn your Veterinary Technology degree on campus or via the web. An
interview with Guy Hancock, DVM, MEd. the Program Director for the Veterinary
Technology Distance Education Program at St. Petersburg Junior College
in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Veterinary
Technician Links
For more information about a career in Veterinary Technology
Pre-Vet
and Career Forum
Stop by for advice, support, or to just vent your school frustrations!
Veterinary
Career Links
For information on becoming a veterinarian and veterinary careers
in general
Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby. All rights reserved.
Have something to say? Post it on the board!
Previous
Features
- Check out other articles from your Guide
Veterinary
Medicine Home Page - Main page for VetMed at About.com
Links
Library of Topics - Browse the site library of topics
|
