A vet tech must be able to understand and empathize with their pain, while still maintaining the ability to carry out his or her duties. In addition, vet techs will commonly deal with animals that are in pain or frightened. Even animals that are physically fit may be frightened by the smells and sounds present in the clinic, requiring the vet tech to behave in an empathic and calming manner to comfort the frightened animal while still ensuring the safety of the veterinary staff.
Another important quality of a successful vet tech is a detail-oriented outlook. Vet techs handle a large amount of information and it is vital that they focus on maintaining accurate records at all times. A single inaccurate report or improperly administered injection can result in serious injury or death to the animal under treatment. For that reason, vet techs must ensure that they are always accurate down to the smallest detail in their observations and reports.
Finally, when working with pet owners, the vet tech must be certain that they understand any instructions they are given, such as how to administer medicine that is being sent home with the pet. By attending an accredited vet tech program, the student can learn those skills that will be vital to providing the best possible quality of care. This is true whether the student is focusing on becoming a generalist vet tech or intends to become a specialist after graduation. Finally, most accredited programs have a strong focus on the ethical and personal qualities needed to become an effective vet tech.
One of the most important qualities of the skilled professional vet tech is a desire to remain current with the state of the art in veterinary medicine. These are certainly difficult questions. Our hope is that facing the answers with an open and curious mind will help you become an even better technician.
Results will show you what to strive for. The information is also relevant to technicians, supervisors and doctors interested in mentoring a technician to become outstanding. Granted, Dr. Palmer was specifically looking for information about operating room and surgery technicians, but it really applies to all technicians, which makes the results of this survey all the more interesting.
Outstanding technicians love what they do and take pride in their work. They have a willingness to help beyond their job description. They are attentive to details and have a great work ethic. Below average technicians have a poor attitude to the point of causing morale issues in their co-workers.
The surgeons suggested that technicians interested in getting better take more initiatives, work beyond their job description, take pride in their work and develop a desire to learn and excel. Excellent technicians used their experience of each vet to anticipate their needs. They are efficient, adaptable and organized. They are team players who communicate well. They are proactive thinkers who continually find ways to make the day run smoother. Average technicians tended to be more reactive than proactive.
Suggestions to improve include developing the ability to anticipate needs, focus, follow through, communicate and handle the pressure. Outstanding technicians show initiative and are reliable. They are aware of operating room etiquette. In this way, it's very easy to gain the trust of your employer. However, it's also easy to lose that trust—and nearly impossible to regain. I once worked with a very experienced technician we'll call Peter who possessed amazing technical skills but accidentally gave a sick animal 10 times the indicated dose of an antibiotic.
Although the animal wasn't harmed and the dosage was immediately corrected when another technician discovered the mistake, Peter was too scared—or maybe too proud—to admit his error. Because of the way he handled the error, the other technicians never fully trusted Peter again. He gave his letter of resignation within a few weeks. Neither of the two veterinarians on staff asked him to reconsider leaving. Most veterinarians will admit they've made mistakes in their careers, and they realize technicians will make mistakes too.
Many may feel that the way in which the animal health care professional—veterinarian, receptionist, veterinary assistant, or technician—handles the mistake will often reveal the true character of that team member.
You can maintain the trust by always being completely honest with your supervisor regarding your mistakes or oversights, no matter how hard that conversation may be. Taking responsibility for your mistake instead of covering it up, in the long run, will help your relationship with your supervisor.
Like most other professions, veterinary medicine—as well as its clients and even the types of pets we see across animal hospitals everywhere—have changed tremendously in the past 20 years. A good technician understands the importance of flexibility in the workplace and can learn to live with—and embrace—change. Know that although each veterinary hospital is unique, there are two things that are usually the same: Veterinarians want to enjoy coming to work, and veterinarians want to know that their practice will continue to be productive.
If employees regularly threaten either of these, their days at that hospital may be numbered. No matter how skilled these technicians are or how invaluable they seem to the daily workings of the office, remember that just about everyone is replaceable.
According to Dr. Wright, a technician who's not only able to solve an existing problem but is familiar with what might solve a potential problem is a valuable asset to any practice—someone Dr. For example, a good technician may notice that a patient in recovery after surgery appears cold or painful and make the attending doctor aware of the animal's condition. A great technician will find the correct dose of the usual pain medications employed by the veterinarian or begin warming towels or water bottles before asking the veterinarian if that dose of medication or that method of thermoregulation is appropriate.
I've met more than one amazing technician whose technical skills and ease with clients made them virtually perfect on their best days. But one of these technicians would bring less experienced team members to tears for the smallest infraction on her worst days.
Another exceptionally skilled technician I knew regularly showed up late for her shift—if she showed up at all. Although technically gifted in most areas, if your skills, your presence, or even just your mood aren't consistent, these fatal flaws combine to make you far from perfect.
It's just like that catchy song from the s says, veterinarians just want to have fun. Well, maybe not all veterinarians and certainly not all the time. But by and large, everyone wants their job to be fun.
If you don't believe this, just think about the last time you were licked on the nose by a puppy, you coaxed a grumpy old cat into purring, or you helped encourage a newborn pup to inhale its first breath. Remember the reason you pursued a career working with animals is because it's fun in one way or another. Because you can't always count on a sweet puppy to come to your practice for daily team face-licking, there will be days that you may have to work to see the humor in things.
Keep your sense of humor in check—and possibly a whoopee cushion nearby—just in case an emergency giggle is needed.
When I asked one veterinarian if he'd ever worked with a perfect technician, he said, "Have you ever worked with a perfect veterinarian?
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