Veterinary technicians combine their love of animals with medical skills

"If you work in a small or large animal practice, and most veterinary technicians do, you’ll likely be working alongside veterinarians and other techs and assistants, so it helps to be a team player and to be hard-working. The hours can be long," Ballard said. "You’ll also need to be strong-minded and strong-hearted, because sometimes you’ll face depressing situations with sick or mistreated animals."

The profession has its rewards.

"Veterinary medicine is a calling for many," Ballard said. "There’s the joy of working with animals and knowing that you’re educating owners on how to keep their pets healthy. You know that you are strengthening the animal/human bond."

Because veterinary technology is a medical program, having an aptitude for science helps with the academic coursework.

"Many students are surprised when they learn all that is involved in this occupation," Ballard said. "A veterinary technician performs a variety of medical skills in caring for animals, but only someone with a DVM degree can diagnose, prescribe and perform surgery."

Gwinnett Tech’s program offers a seven-quarter associate degree in veterinary technology where students learn about animal nursing care, anesthesiology, surgical assisting, collecting specimens and running laboratory tests, taking and developing X-rays, cleaning teeth and other skills.

"Vet techs have a huge responsibility and need a wide-range of skills," Ballard said.

Students take courses in biology, chemistry, math, diagnostic lab procedures, nursing and surgical procedures, anatomy and physiology of animals, medical terminology, radiology, clinical pathology, office management/client education, and pathology and diseases.

Gwinnett Tech accepts 30 students into the full-time program each fall. Because no animals are kept on the Gwinnett Tech campus, students develop hands-on skills by working in veterinary clinics and other locations around metro Atlanta.

"By the time they graduate, they’ll have 850 clinical hours of practice in vet practices, animal shelters and university research labs, and will have worked with cats, dogs, cows, horses and small rodents," Ballard said.

Graduates will also be prepared to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become registered in Georgia. Since Ballard started the program in 1999, there has been a 99 percent pass rate for students. There has also been a 100 percent job-placement rate for graduates who seek employment.

"Historically, there has been a shortage of vet techs in Georgia and nationwide," Ballard said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation will grow by 36 percent between 2008 and 2018.

"New grads will have to look a little longer because of the recession," Ballard said. "As small businesses, many veterinary practices are being cautious about hiring, but every graduate who wanted a job in 2009 found one."

The average starting wage for her students is $14.88 per hour, with benefits.

Vet techs work in private veterinary practices, research labs or for pharmaceutical companies.

"The opportunities are growing as the federal government is allowing vet techs to take on certain U.S.D.A. jobs that were formerly reserved for veterinarians," Ballard said.

Admissions into the program are competitive. Students must first be accepted to the college and take prerequisite math and chemistry courses (earning a C or better) before applying. Candidates also go through an interview process. The application deadline for the fall 2010 quarter is June 20.

The other veterinary technology programs in Georgia are at Athens Technical College, Ogeechee Technical College and Fort Valley State University. To learn more about Gwinnett Tech’s program, go to www.gwinnetttech.edu/vet/ or call 770-962-7580.

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