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Small kids who love cats and dogs often dream about becoming veterinarians or their technicians to help them in need.
And, even though many people still think that animals should not be given so much attention, more and more of them appreciate their pets more than other people.
The interest in animal welfare is increasing and veterinarians, as well as their staff, are experiencing job growth.
The even greater thing is that the demand for them is not only present in veterinary premises, but in teaching, pharmaceutical sales, livestock production, biomedical research, public health organizations, and the pet food industry as well.
Article Table of Contents
Veterinary Technician Job Description
Becoming a veterinary technician may be a rewarding job and an exciting career working with both people and domestic or wild animals.
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A good veterinary technician must be a reliable and hard-working person who is ready to dedicate his/her life to animals.
Their job entails multiple duties, starting from supporting the veterinarian in his/her daily work, taking care of the emergencies to keeping records about animal health care history.
Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Arizona
A future veterinary technician in the state of Arizona can enter on-campus programs in the Phoenix and Tucson areas or one school that has a distance education program.
As in any other distance program, you will have to have clinical training at specific locations during your education.
This kind of program is good for people who cannot devote so much time to go to school, but organize their classes at the appropriate time.
The schools in Arizona which offer a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) are:
- Mesa Community College
- Penn Foster College
- Pima Community College
- Pima Medical Institute-East Valley
- Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
Educational Requirements for Veterinary Technicians in Arizona
To apply for any of the above-mentioned kinds of education, you must have a high school diploma or GED and the application processes vary between schools.
The education usually lasts two-year and the program will give students the basic knowledge on how to complete the following tasks:
- Conduct x-rays on animals
- Administer emergency care
- Administer medications and vaccines
- Gather lab samples
- Assist veterinarians in surgery
- Conduct lab exams
- Perform radiology techniques
- Monitor animal patients
- Utilize veterinary equipment and tools
- Dispense prescribed medications
Also, some subjects, such as biology, chemistry, math, English, and computer skills are compulsory.
You will be involved in lab work and an internship at regional clinics.
There is one school in Arizona that has an actual clinic building for teaching purposes.
The in-state tuition for future veterinary technicians is estimated to be under $15,000.
Out of state tuition can be three times higher.
The financial aid available is given to veterinary technician students and they can apply with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Military benefits are available as well, for the members of the veteran’s families.
Arizona requirements determine that each graduate needs to take and pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination), as well as the state exam administered by the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
The successful passing of these exams makes you eligible to get the certificate.
The license needs to be renewed every two years by earning ten continuing education credits.
Job Prospects in Arizona
Even though it is not difficult to find a job as a veterinary technician once you get certified, you should pay attention to the job requirements at the specific location and whether you can perform them since the daily duties highly differ from clinic to clinic.
In some smaller private clinics, daily duties might not be too demanding, while in the larger ones, appropriate knowledge is necessary to be able to complete them.
Job prospects for veterinary technicians in Arizona are very good and are expected to grow.
Once you apply for a job, your eligibility will depend on your education and experience and the clinic staff will decide whether you are an ideal candidate for that place or not.
These are some of the veterinary technician employment resources in Arizona offering possibilities to veterinary technicians:
- Arizona Veterinary Medical Association
- Arizona State Medical Veterinary Examining Board
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Veterinary Career Network
- iHireVeterinary.com
- Vet Tech Life,
- Vetcetera.
Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Arizona
The average annual amount of money that a veterinary technician gets depends on many factors.
The greater number of appointments might give higher wages to the employees but at the same time more work.
On average, their salary in Arizona is modest and it is the state which does not offer too high salaries to its veterinary technicians.
Veterinary technicians in various parts of Arizona have different annual salaries and the difference is not little and insignificant.
While it is the lowest in Prescott, estimated at $ 33 399 per year, the highest is in Glendale and Phoenix reaching up to $ 36 170.
The table below shows the average annual salary of a veterinary technician in Arizona, based on the city where he/she works:
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Avondale,AZ | $36,073 |
| Chandler,AZ | $35,481 |
| Flagstaff,AZ | $33,764 |
| Gilbert,AZ | $35,481 |
| Glendale,AZ | $36,170 |
| Goodyear,AZ | $35,951 |
| Lake Havasu City,AZ | $37,415 |
| Mesa,AZ | $35,481 |
| Peoria,AZ | $36,097 |
| Phoenix,AZ | $36,170 |
| Prescott,AZ | $33,399 |
| Scottsdale,AZ | $35,481 |
| Sierra Vista,AZ | $33,483 |
| Sun City,AZ | $36,024 |
| Surprise,AZ | $35,601 |
| Tempe,AZ | $35,481 |
| Tucson,AZ | $33,848 |
| Yuma,AZ | $34,716 |
Regional Salary in Arizona
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 80 | $39,250 | $18.87 | $47,460 | $30,540 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 80 | $37,300 | $17.93 | $45,290 | $30,850 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 2,010 | $40,370 | $19.41 | $47,610 | $30,980 |
| Prescott, AZ | 150 | $37,710 | $18.13 | $46,280 | $30,680 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 40 | $37,060 | $17.82 | $44,590 | $29,650 |
| Tucson, AZ | 440 | $38,260 | $18.39 | $45,840 | $30,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Veterinary Technician’s Duties
Veterinary technician vocation can be physically and emotionally very challenging.
They find satisfaction in providing the pet with the best possible treatment.
They are supposed to deal with the patient, its owner, and the veterinarian.
Some of their typical daily duties are record keeping, taking x-rays, administering sedation or anesthesia, dental procedures, wound care, assisting in surgery and emergency procedures.
When it comes to more serious work, veterinary technicians might perform some scientific research and deal with blood work.
Their role is very similar to the role of a nurse in human medicine.
Summary
All in all, if you want to become a veterinary technician, bear in mind that you should not only be a person fond of animals and eager to help them in need, but also patient, communicative, emphatic and reliable person.
A veterinary technician vocation offers a myriad of opportunities for future employment and now is the perfect moment for trying your luck in this rewarding field.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technicians by State