If you like to be around animals and want to make a career out of it, you could easily become a vet tech.
In Arizona, the industry is constantly growing, so you can get hired fast.
Check out the requirements for this job in order to learn more about the training process.
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Veterinary Tech Employment and Job Duties in Arizona
Once you get trained, you can work in a pet-related facility such as:
- Vet clinics,
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Wildlife medicine
- Educational institutions
Every clinic is different and so your daily tasks will vary.
However, some of the tasks you will have to complete include:
- Admitting the animals
- Keeping and updating records
- Communicating with clients
- Taking x-rays
- Administering sedation or anesthesia
- Dental work
- Wound care
- Assisting in surgery and emergency tasks
You may also want to check the following resources in order to get a better idea:
- Arizona Veterinary Technician Association
- Big Sky Veterinary Technician Association
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Veterinary Career Network
- Vet Tech Life
- Vetcetera
- Where Techs Connect
Becoming Certified as a Vet Tech in Arizona
In Arizona, you do not need to become certified by law.
But, most employers will only hire you if you are already certified.
You can only get a certification if you attend a training program.
Before you join the program, you need to take some classes such as:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Math
- Humanities
- English
- Communications
- Computer skills
You will also have to provide a high school diploma or a GED.
After you complete it, you will be able to get an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology.
Make sure that the training program you choose is accredited.
You can also earn more credentials by getting specialized in one of the following:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
Depending on what suits you most, you can attend a program in person or online.
If you have a job already and can’t be present on campus much, an online program might suit you better.
The training program will feature theory mixed with lab hours.
The theory covers the following subjects:
- How to identify different breeds
- Animal anatomy
- The best ways to administer meds
- How to administer post-operative care
- Handling various breeds of animals
- Medical terminology
- Handling chemicals
Right now, the training programs for vet techs you can attend in Arizona include:
Top 9 Schools in Arizona
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Carrington College | 1001 Southern Ave., Ste. 130, Mesa, Arizona 85210 |
| Carrington College | 8503 N 27th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85051-4063 |
| Carrington College | 201 N. Bonita Ave., Suite 101, Tucson, Arizona 85745 |
| Mesa Community College | 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, Arizona 85202 |
| Pima Community College | 4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 2160 S Power Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85209 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 957 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 1445 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85014-4929 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 3350 East Grant Road, Suite 200, Tucson, Arizona 85716 |
The programs have a length of about 2 to 3 years, depending on your courses and specialization.
After graduation, you will have to pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam.
If you pass it, you will need to take a second exam, the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
Passing this second exam will allow you to get a vet assistant certification.
To take these 2 exams, you have to submit a fee and schedule your exams online., beforehand.
The test subjects will cover:
- Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
- Dentistry
- Pain Management/Analgesia
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Laboratory Procedures
- Anesthesia
- Animal Care and Nursing
After 2 years have passed, your certification will expire.
This means that you will need to renew it.
To do this, you first have to attend 10 extra classes.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Tech in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, vet techs in Arizona generally earn $35,342 per year.
The annual salary you will get also depends on your experience and credentials.
Your salary will also be higher if you live in a larger city compared to a small one.
Vet techs that just started their career usually earn the minimum age, and your salary will increase after a while.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Technicians in Arizona
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Phoenix | $36,612 |
| Tucson | $34,823 |
| Mesa | $36,617 |
| Glendale | $36,612 |
| Scottsdale | $36,617 |
| Chandler | $36,617 |
| Tempe | $36,617 |
| Gilbert | $36,617 |
| Peoria | $36,537 |
| Yuma | $38,007 |
Additional information about vet techs in Arizona
Keep in mind that you can get help with paying tuition if you need that.
Many schools provide different ways to pay and even offer benefits for those who worked in the military.
The most important aspect in starting your vet tech career is to get certified.
This way, you will be able to build a long and stable career in the industry.
