How do vet techs treat you?

[zuneski]

Hey I'm new to this board and was just wondering about your experiences with vet assistants/techs you've worked with...mine have been mostly negative. Most of the ones I have worked with wanted to be a vet but it didn't work out somehow, and it's like they resent me for pursuing it. After telling them I applied, they seem to give me this dirty look, and I don't get it. There seem to be more rude ones than nice ones, and sometimes they make me not even want to work at animal hospitals (as an assistant). I guess part (or most) of the reason they're so crabby is because they're overworked and underpaid...what have your experiences been like?

Thanks!

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[HopefulAg]

Hmm, well most of them like me. I've had one that was kind of cool (and not in The Fonz kind of way) with me but that may just be her style. Then again, there's two other techs there that want (or wanted, one dropped the idea) to be a vet as well and they were there before me, so maybe they got everyone else used to the idea.

 

[PrimalMU]

Never had any problem whatsoever with any of the techs or assistants I've worked with.

 

[katryn]

My tech experiences seem to totally hinge on whether or not they wanted to go to vet school.

The three that only ever wanted to be technicians....loved working with them, was very encouraged by them.

The one that settled when she didn't get into vet school....is a bitter apple to deal with.

 

[sofficat]

I've had the whole round of experiences with techs. For the most part I've liked the ones I've worked with. Some were super cool and willing to show/tech me anything. Almost all were supportive of me wanting to be a vet. A few were duds, practically high school dropouts who shouldn't ever be in charge of an animals life. And then the last group of the very negative techs- blah. I worked at a clinic for 3 months and quit ONLY because of the techs. They were mean, negative, pushy and I NEVER enjoyed working with ANY of them. My happiness is more important than putting up with such negative people.

 

[OtakuVet]

I've gotten the dirty look more than the actual look of endearment. At the last clinic I worked with, there was some chick who pretended yes Im going to call her pretend now because she refuses to get her license and pops around claiming she is a tech (cant do that in VA). But she singled me out, made me feel awful and hated the fact that I loved going to the University and even tried to put me down when I told one of the younger assistants to go to college and get the hope of a future. (This place was kinda backwards, I worked in the boonies) I never had any problems with the doctors except for one practice where I believe that lady hated everyone and anyone who wasnt 5+ years in experience cant really blame her for not liking me at this point, I was young and 18 and full o' dreams. Alot of techs I worked with are nice, most of them are pretty independent, those that are not though, they seem to let their normal life seep into their work life and before you know the cliqs start and then I just leave because quite frankly all I needed was extra gas money anyway. 👎

 

[Bearby]

I haven't had an issue. I live in Florida so you don't have to be certified to be considered a vet tech. I've worked at three different clinics and have been well-liked at all of them. The only issue they have with me at my current place of employment is that they cant convince me to drop out of school to work full-time, but that's more of a joke with management than an actual grievance. The doctors have always been very excited about teaching me because they know that I aspire to be a vet and want me to be prepared. I think that the biggest thing we see down here in the sunshine state (which has been pretty rainy lately) is a clash between certified and noncertified vet techs. The certifieds seem to think they're much better than everyone, and the noncertifieds think that the certifieds are obnoxiously full of themselves. I don't work with any certified techs so I have no experiece with that myself.

I think everyone has days where they can be snappy and catty, but if you don't let it affect your work or how you treat that person, they will realize that they were being stupid and will be nice again. Don't forget to smile! 🙂

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad experience. It's kind of human nature I guess to want to keep another down for whatever reason. Just keep pushing through it, but if it really creates tension for you (trust me) it is not worth it, find a place that you can work. You're always going to encounter people like that. And you're probably right- overworked, underpaid- it makes me crabby too sometimes.

I've had nothing but support and encouragement from my coworkers- techs, drs, receptionists. They joke that they don't want me going to school only because they want me to work more hours. There was one bad apple a few years ago that did disrupt things, but when you get a great crew it's just awesome.

 

[PM2009]

My experience has varied by the type of clinic. I've loved all of the equine/LA vet techs I've worked with and some of them are among my best friends. Small animal on the other hand is hit or miss. Some are great, some seem to just hate their lives and everyone in it. In any case I go out of my way to be nice to techs since they are what make the clinics work, especially in my equine clinic.

 

[168135]

When I first started volunteering, it was in a very cliquey town. The tech who "hired" me was AWESOME. She was always saying things like, "Sam, come over and see this dog that has cancer!" "Sam, can you hold this cat's mouth open for me?" After two months, she moved away. Because I was the newest, the rest of the techs pretty much ignored me. If they wanted something done, they would ask the kennel attendent and weren't willing to show me much. I hated it. I felt really left out and useless. The receptionists never spoke a work to me either. The only people who paid any attention to me was the attendent and two of the six vets.

The clinic that I volunteer at now is only a one doctor clinic. The tech that was usually on had wanted to be a vet and never got in, but she's the complete opposite of bitter. She's always calling me over to do things, and she offers me a ride to the bus when I'm finished. She has horses too and is always talking about them. When ever I call the clinic, she's like "Hi Sam!! How are you?? 😀" And the techs I haven't worked with, are nice and are always telling me they've heard a lot about me.

 

[Sngstop]

My fave. response from Vet. techs when I've said that I am applying to vet school is that 'vet techs get to do everything a doctor does excluding surgery and writing prescriptions - AND they enjoy their job because they get to handle the patientes more than the Dr. 's do'
I hate this response - there is a HUGE difference between being a tech and a Dr.....which is why a Dr. gives the tech orders for the patient and not vice versa. Also, the implication that being a Dr. isn't rewarding.....well it must be, otherwise why are there so many people trying to get into school for it?
It seams to me that some vet techs are cool and some are very insecure about their position (in the world) and are a little hateful when u say u have plans to be something bigger / better than they are.

 

[Lechatnoir]

A few were duds, practically high school dropouts who shouldn't ever be in charge of an animals life.

LOL I've worked with one that did drop out of high school sophomore year and thinks that she knows everything!

Also worked with a couple that went to tech school but either never took the licensing test or never passed it. They claim that they were certified and their name tags even say veterinary technician instead of assistant since they were hired before they graduated and my boss assumed they would get certified.

 

[Whyevernot55]

I have been pretty lucky. The first vet I shadowed was MY equine vet, who actually hired me to help pay the bills for my own 3 (extremely accident prone) horses. He didn't have any techs or assistants, so I got to do everything.
Then I shadowed at a large, prestigious clinic, where the few techs were either indifferent or vaguely nice to me, and the vet students interning were all friendly.
THEN I shadowed in the small animal section of a combined practice. Everyone was nice there, so I got lucky.
Now I work as an assistant at a clinic with one quasi-tech, but most of us are trained to do tech things with doctor supervision, so it's been a really fantastic experience. We have one ex-employee who is now in her last year of tech school who comes back to shadow during surgeries, and we have become good friends. Our tech is a PITA, but that's more his personality than anything else!

 

[cowgirla]

Well, I'm probably a little biased, but...

I work in a mixed animal/emergenc hospital with five other techs. Two of us are currently in the process of applying, and one will be leaving in January to go to Ross. Of the other three, one has been at the hospital for 20 years, the other for 8, and the other for 3 years. None of them are licesnsed techs. The two other vet school girls and I are not licensed either, but we all have the same responsibilities-- from monitoring anesthesia to catheterizing to drawing blood for lab work and countless other things.

They are all incredibly supportive, and I consider them very close friends of mine. We all have a great personal and professional relationship, and I know they are rooting for all of us "college techs" that have big dreams.

Even in the other hospitals I've worked at, all of the techs have been willing to teach me everthing they know, and I've had some great teachers, who have gotten me to where I am now.

Of course, on the other hand, my boss keeps threatening to sabotage me, because apparently she needs me too much to let me leave!

 

[Whyevernot55]

Of course, on the other hand, my boss keeps threatening to sabotage me, because apparently she needs me too much to let me leave!

I have this problem. Every time I mention leaving this summer, she will literally put her fingers in her ears and pretend to not hear me. Adorable, and flattering, really. Her partner read the recommendation to make sure she actually gave me a good one! 😉

 

[deleted266066]

I'm just jealous that you guys have tech positions at all! Mind you, my only real first realistic shot at getting a tech job would be next summer but still. Most places ask for "at least 1 year of experience" or for you to be licensed... so I'm not sure how one finds a position in the first place?

The clinic my family takes their pets to back at home has 2 non certified techs and 2 certified techs. They're all very friendly with each other, and the non certified ones always joke that the certified ones are oodles smarter and more valuable. Then the certified ones shoot back that they've only been there a year while the non certified ones know more hands on stuff since both of them have been tech-ing for 10+ years. It's cute 🙂 Last summer I didn't get to tech there or anything, but I did shadow, and they were super nice and more than willing to show me everything they knew. One let me draw blood from a dog and give it its pain meds when the vet wasn't looking (shhh!) 😉

 

[dgm]

My fave. response from Vet. techs when I've said that I am applying to vet school is that 'vet techs get to do everything a doctor does excluding surgery and writing prescriptions - AND they enjoy their job because they get to handle the patientes more than the Dr. 's do'
I hate this response - there is a HUGE difference between being a tech and a Dr.....which is why a Dr. gives the tech orders for the patient and not vice versa. Also, the implication that being a Dr. isn't rewarding.....well it must be, otherwise why are there so many people trying to get into school for it?
It seams to me that some vet techs are cool and some are very insecure about their position (in the world) and are a little hateful when u say u have plans to be something bigger / better than they are.

It's possible that you're giving off the vibe that you think you are or will be "bigger / better" than they are (at least, I'm perceiving from your post that you feel that way), and that could explain some of the negative response. And I'm not sure why you'd be annoyed by them trying to defend the positive aspects of their jobs. If they're happy, that's great! I hope you don't feel like you have to explain to them why being a doctor will be so much different or better than what they do. You don't owe them an explanation for your choice, and it would probably just sound insulting to the techs.

 

[cowgirla]

so I'm not sure how one finds a position in the first place?

Well, this is my story, for what it's worth:
When I was 13, my family vet (SA) offered to let me shadow him after school and on weekends. I got to watch an awful lot of surgeries, and I could play in the kennel with certain dogs/cats who were there. I wasn't allowed to "do" anything at that point, other than give out kisses and hugs to the animals, but I loved it.

That vet was killed when I was 15, so I was out of vet med for about a year, pretty much just moping around. When I turned 16, I applied to the new owner of the hospital and got hired as an assistant. I had "some" experience, but they also knew me, and knew I could handle it. Spent most of my time walking dogs and cleaning cages, since it was a boarding facility as well. When I wasn't in the kennel, I was allowed in the room with the vet during appointments, learned the basics of restraint, and through "osmosis" learned about the different vaccines, foods, protocols, how to talk to clients, etc.
After a few months, I was more of an assistant than a kennel person. I was 16, learning how to take/develop x-rays, restrain, medicate, etc.
When I was 17, I worked full time on all school breaks and the vet and head tech really took me under their wing. they taught me how to monitor anesthesia, what to look for, how to hit a vein, how to place a catheter, run the labwork, and I was working the front desk as well actually dealing with the clients for the first time. I was there right up until I went away to college, five years in total, and was lucky enough to learn a LOT.

Applied for an assistant job once I was up at school, and after about two months on the job, they promoted me to "tech" because basically I was able to do everything. Continued learning there, worked at one other hospital that wasn't really a good fit before finally making the jump to where I am now-- I'm able to work with all species now, not just SA, which has been an even more amazing learning experience.

New Hampshire doesn't really require certification, but even in states that do "require" it, I've found many hospitals that were willing to look the other way for me, since I was capable of doing the work and not asking for much of a salary. It's really all about finding the right fit, where you can be useful, with people above you willing to take the time out of their day and teach you how to do it right. I wouldn't change my experiences for anything--I've learned from some awesome people.

 

[HopefulAg]

Most places ask for "at least 1 year of experience" or for you to be licensed... so I'm not sure how one finds a position in the first place?

You start out by shadowing or doing kennel work and poking your nose out into the main clinic whenever you have a break/lunch/weekend/whatever it takes.

 

[quantized]

The techs I work with are all awesome. They show me how to do stuff and let me do things that they are better at, just so I can practice. They rock.

 

[sunshinevet]

It's possible that you're giving off the vibe that you think you are or will be "bigger / better" than they are (at least, I'm perceiving from your post that you feel that way), and that could explain some of the negative response. And I'm not sure why you'd be annoyed by them trying to defend the positive aspects of their jobs. If they're happy, that's great! I hope you don't feel like you have to explain to them why being a doctor will be so much different or better than what they do. You don't owe them an explanation for your choice, and it would probably just sound insulting to the techs.

I totally second this. You shouldn't view yourself as being "bigger and better" than they are, just because you want to be a vet - you are merely playing a different role in the team. The person cleaning **** out of cages is just as important as the person making the diagnosis - im sure once your a vet, you wont want to do a lot of the tech stuff, and that is why they will be indispensible to you. I think if you show them more respect, they will show you more respect. And old, experienced techs can be a new vet grads best asset - or their worst enemy. Just because you have a DVM does NOT make you "better" than them - you WILL be going to them for advice, time and time again!

 

[zuneski]

I totally second this. You shouldn't view yourself as being "bigger and better" than they are, just because you want to be a vet - you are merely playing a different role in the team. The person cleaning **** out of cages is just as important as the person making the diagnosis - im sure once your a vet, you wont want to do a lot of the tech stuff, and that is why they will be indispensible to you. I think if you show them more respect, they will show you more respect. And old, experienced techs can be a new vet grads best asset - or their worst enemy. Just because you have a DVM does NOT make you "better" than them - you WILL be going to them for advice, time and time again!

Ok, I don't understand why some people on here are assuming that I think I'm better than vet techs. It's obvious that without vet techs, it would be pretty much impossible for the vets to do their job! I'm a vet tech now, and I know that I will very much appreciate their work if I become a vet. And I never said nor do I imply that I am better than anyone else. I'm not an arrogant person, I'm actually a quiet person and like to think that I'm pleasant to be around. It bugs me that some of you just assume that I talk down to or disrespect vet techs, and that's the only reason that some of them aren't nice to me...the truth is that some of them are just rude for no reason. But I have met a few really nice techs, so it's not all bad. Loosen up people!

Thanks for everyone's comments! 🙂

 

[sunshinevet]

Ok, I don't understand why some people on here are assuming that I think I'm better than vet techs. It's obvious that without vet techs, it would be pretty much impossible for the vets to do their job! I'm a vet tech now, and I know that I will very much appreciate their work if I become a vet. And I never said nor do I imply that I am better than anyone else. I'm not an arrogant person, I'm actually a quiet person and like to think that I'm pleasant to be around. It bugs me that some of you just assume that I talk down to or disrespect vet techs, and that's the only reason that some of them aren't nice to me...the truth is that some of them are just rude for no reason. But I have met a few really nice techs, so it's not all bad. Loosen up people!

Thanks for everyone's comments! 🙂

My comment wasn't directed at you, it was at this one:

My fave. response from Vet. techs when I've said that I am applying to vet school is that 'vet techs get to do everything a doctor does excluding surgery and writing prescriptions - AND they enjoy their job because they get to handle the patientes more than the Dr. 's do'
I hate this response - there is a HUGE difference between being a tech and a Dr.....which is why a Dr. gives the tech orders for the patient and not vice versa. Also, the implication that being a Dr. isn't rewarding.....well it must be, otherwise why are there so many people trying to get into school for it?
It seams to me that some vet techs are cool and some are very insecure about their position (in the world) and are a little hateful when u say u have plans to be something bigger / better than they are.

Which is arrogant!

 

[Danae00]

.

 

[clairbear]

I've only shadowed at one place, for almost two years until this summer, and there were a few techs there that were extremely nice and offered to show me different things, gave me small jobs to do, and talked to me a lot. The other ones did not really talk to me, but I did not have any issues with them.

 

[eventualeventer]

The licensed techs I've worked with have pretty much all been awesome when working with them as techs. They are very enthusiastic about supporting the unlicensed techs and teaching us much as we want to learn. The anesthesia techs in particular are some of the most awesome people I've met - super competent, super friendly, and very smart.

There was sometimes a bit of an awkward dynamic with a couple of the unlicensed techs at my old job -- there were personality clash issues, to be sure, but I think it came across as a bit weird or uncomfortable because I was kind of straddling the gap between vet/diagnostic world and tech/animal care world. I'd do the mundane things like cleaning stalls and flushing catheters, but I'd also discuss bloodwork, diagnostics, and treatment plans with the vets. I also spent a huge amount of unpaid time there on my days off, after my shift was done, etc., hanging around with the vets to discuss cases, go on farm calls, see emergencies, etc. At one point, I was told by the tech supervisor that some of the other techs were jealous that I was getting to go out in the truck with the vets, even though I did it for free on my days off and worked in the clinic on days I was scheduled to be paid. I sort of see why, but I worked my butt off and sacrificed a lot of things like time to read, ride, etc., so that I could learn more and see more cases. I did try harder after that to act humbly and stay in the background on days that I was just there for fun, so that it didn't seem like I was trying to upstage the other techs. I wasn't -- I just really loved what I did!