Becoming a vet technician or a vet technologist is a great career path for anyone who is interested in working with animals on a daily basis. With the ability to provide medical support pertaining to both repairing and preventing physical medical issues, either career can be a great way to help animals. There are a variety of tasks associated with both job positions and although both vet technicians and vet technologists work with animals, they do have differences in their job description.
What is the Difference?
The difference between a vet technician and a vet technologist is based mostly on their educational background. The majority of the tasks that both of these professionals complete on a daily basis are the same, but how they studied will differ. Both technologists and technicians work under the general physician to perform medical tests, work with patient records, provide care in regards to nursing, and help to teach animal owners about proper health care and maintenance for their pet.
In regards to education, vet technicians are only required to earn an associate’s degree in a veterinary program such as veterinary technology. There is also a high probability that the majority of vet technicians have completed vocational training. Whereas veterinary technologists have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a college or university program. With that being said, the majority of veterinary careers are most often handed to veterinary technologists as they have earned the most amount of educational training and hands-on experience.
Differences in Opportunities
Once you have earned placement in a veterinary office, you will then be provided with the opportunity to work and expand your skill set to acquire advancement. There are two separate paths that both technologists and technicians can choose to participate in. Veterinary technologists are more likely to earn a managerial role in the workplace due to the fact that during their vocational training, they gathered an ample amount of hands-on experience. In comparison to this, veterinary technicians are more likely to earn placement in a career that requires them to complete academic based research, something that they learned to do during their university studies.
Regardless of the career choice, both veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists work alongside animals and pet owners to ensure the well-being of the pets. They also help to provide preventative measures to ensure that the pet does not suffer from medical ailments in the future.
