Which job should I take for veterinary experience?

[mountainmama23]

I somehow just got two job offers for positions at animal hospitals today, which is such a privilege but I don't know what to do. I am a sophomore undergrad and have only prior animal experience and practically none in an actual animal hospital. One offered me $10 an hour to be a vet assistant- this hospital is smaller, less busy, and has only one doctor as of now. The hospital itself is older (not as updated, just now finishing up transitioning to a computerized file system) but the people there were super nice and it seems like I'd get to do a lot and jump right into being an assistant, as they are willing to train me. The main problem is the lower pay and that it is 30 minutes away from me, which is difficult as a student. The second option is to be a kennel tech at an animal hospital less than 10 minutes away from me. They would pay $14 an hour. It is a busier, larger hospital and I really enjoyed my phone call with them (I haven't toured yet). It is called kennel tech but they said it's essentially being a technician's assistant, as they don't have boarding. They said I would be cleaning, prepping rooms, doing restraint, etc. I think this would count as veterinary experience but it's not clear to me, they said in that position I would just kind of get to do a lot based on where they need me. Which sounds better for preparing me for other positions and eventually vet school?

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[EB73674]

I think either would be a good choice - I'm almost certain the kennel tech position would be considered veterinary experience, and that can often turn into eventual vet assistant work. And that higher pay & close distance is also a great perk! But, if you want to fast-track getting clinical skills & can handle the commute and lower pay, I think the first one would be great too. Both sound like good options, I would pick whichever route seems most appealing to you based on clinic staff and caseload!

 

[TabbyCat2]

I would ask each of them exactly what you could learn and do! I was in a similar situation as you (offered two veterinary technician positions at the same time) and opted for the one that I got paid less because they offered to teach me more. In one year I’ve been able to go from knowing NOTHING to working as a surgery technician monitoring pets under anesthesia and performing dentals. I’ve learned how to draw blood, place catheters (even placed an emergency tongue IV cath), run BW, take X-rays, talk to clients, learn about drugs and how to calculate them, administer a lot of different medications/injections, and the list goes on and on!! I ended up getting a $2 raise in under a year, so try not to worry about the wage too much — it could change sooner than you think! On the other hand, the other clinic I could’ve worked at has the veterinarians do all of the blood draws, IV caths, injections, etc. I would have gotten WAY less experience and to me, the experience and skill set is what I sought, not the wage. Ultimately, you could get your hours in at both, but when it comes to writing essays and LOR’s, the clinic that you can get the most hands on experience and form the closest relationships with the veterinarians would be the best I think. So I would talk to each clinic again, be transparent about your goals, and what YOU want out of the job, and see what they can offer you.

Edit: Also, if I were you the job title each is willing to give you would mean a lot when making my decision. I cannot lie or stretch the truth for the life of me 😅😅 so if my official title was “kennel tech” that’s what I would HAVE to put on my application. And to me, “veterinary assistant” looks better but that’s just my personal opinion. Maybe push for a title change if you’re going to be actually assisting at the second one haha. Or ask if there’s a way to move up. My clinic takes our official titles really seriously so I may just be a little biased.

 

[Dana_May_B]

i think another thing to consider too is the size! i have worked at a small, one vet practice and also at an emergency hospital with 6 vets and over 10 vet assistants. i was able to get recommendation letters from vets at both practices, but i definitely don't feel that any of the 6 vets know me as well as the one vet at the smaller practice that i worked with. so its definitely not impossible to build professional relationships and get rec letters at a busier and larger clinic, but maybe if this is your first vet job and youre looking for some solid mentorship and guidance, the smaller clinic would be best. definitely have to weigh that with the drive and the wage difference tho! both would definitely count as vet experience (i put down a kennel tech experience where i prepped rooms, helped to restrain animals, mopped floors and talked to clients as vet experience and ive been accepted to 4 schools so far!) you have two really solid options so i dont think you could go wrong either way 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

I would ask each of them exactly what you could learn and do! I was in a similar situation as you (offered two veterinary technician positions at the same time) and opted for the one that I got paid less because they offered to teach me more. In one year I’ve been able to go from knowing NOTHING to working as a surgery technician monitoring pets under anesthesia and performing dentals. I’ve learned how to draw blood, place catheters (even placed an emergency tongue IV cath), run BW, take X-rays, talk to clients, learn about drugs and how to calculate them, administer a lot of different medications/injections, and the list goes on and on!! I ended up getting a $2 raise in under a year, so try not to worry about the wage too much — it could change sooner than you think! On the other hand, the other clinic I could’ve worked at has the veterinarians do all of the blood draws, IV caths, injections, etc. I would have gotten WAY less experience and to me, the experience and skill set is what I sought, not the wage. Ultimately, you could get your hours in at both, but when it comes to writing essays and LOR’s, the clinic that you can get the most hands on experience and form the closest relationships with the veterinarians would be the best I think. So I would talk to each clinic again, be transparent about your goals, and what YOU want out of the job, and see what they can offer you.

Edit: Also, if I were you the job title each is willing to give you would mean a lot when making my decision. I cannot lie or stretch the truth for the life of me 😅😅 so if my official title was “kennel tech” that’s what I would HAVE to put on my application. And to me, “veterinary assistant” looks better but that’s just my personal opinion. Maybe push for a title change if you’re going to be actually assisting at the second one haha. Or ask if there’s a way to move up. My clinic takes our official titles really seriously so I may just be a little biased.

There's so much inconsistency in veterinary position labels that I wouldn't worry about that at all. You should be inputting a description of tasks performed that'll give a better indication of what you did. I've known veterinary assistants that don't do more than clean and kennel techs that do way more along the lines of a vet assistant. If you describe your job on your resume the title isn't a big deal.

 

[TabbyCat2]

There's so much inconsistency in veterinary position labels that I wouldn't worry about that at all. You should be inputting a description of tasks performed that'll give a better indication of what you did. I've known veterinary assistants that don't do more than clean and kennel techs that do way more along the lines of a vet assistant. If you describe your job on your resume the title isn't a big deal.

That’s good to know!! The clinic I work at has over 50 people on staff (not including the veterinarians) so job titles are taken seriously and literally, all color coded and everything haha. So I definitely have some bias.

 

[wannabeirwin25]

From what you described, it sounds like your job duties would be similar at both places just with a different title. I would ask the one clinic with the kennel tech position if the no boarding is permanent or just a COVID feature. For VMCAS, both the kennel tech and vet assistant would be considered vet experience if your duties are as described. Again, I would ask the kennel tech clinic about why it's called kennel tech and not something like veterinary assistant (this is what we're called at my clinic...essentially we're all technicians in duties since we don't have a licensed tech and are able to do the same duties as a technician) As someone who drives 30 minutes to school/work from home every day... I often use this time to decompress and breathe before getting home and having to clean, cook and do homework. In terms of pay... I would ask both places how pay raises are considered in the future. At my clinic, it's a testing/knowledge system and it's very nice.
I feel like the most important part if you're looking to go to vet school is how they handle teaching new staff members and the variety of knowledge you are allowed to gain. As a vet assistant, I do just about everything from cleaning and restraint to lab work, dentals, and monitoring under anesthesia. I didn't know anything going into my job 1.5 years ago and have learned so much in my time there that I feel prepared for going to vet school in the fall.
I would prepare a list of questions to send to both clinic and then compare answers.

 

[mountainmama23]

The clinic that would pay $10 said it's because of my lack of experience as of now and that it could go up the longer I work there, so it sounds like a raise is definitely possible. It definitely seems like I would have a lot more responsibility at this one too- they have a lot smaller staff so I got the impression I would be doing a lot around the hospital and the vet mentioned how as an assistant, I would be responsible for specific cases(doing pre-exams and a lot of the things aside from what the doctor does). I'd also have to do some front desk work as well if needed. That being said, I don't know enough about the duties of the second one to know if it's comparable or not, but it sounds like it would be less responsibility. I do think I would get to see a wider variety of things though because the hospital is nicer and offers more services. I am supposed to go in for an in person interview and tour on Wednesday to the second one, so that one's not a total done deal but they basically told me that as long as it goes well, the position is open and they could offer me the days and hours I want. In the meantime, I told the first one I needed some time to make a final decision and would get back to them by Wednesday. I guess I need to wait and learn more about the second one, but I want to have an idea of my choice before then and I keep going back and forth! They're both being super nice and accommodating and I'm going to feel bad telling one of them no.

 

[wannabeirwin25]

In the end, just remember that it's where you feel the most comfortable are able to learn the most that will help you get into vet school. Experience is great but I believe having an experience where you can say "I have learned this and this and this" from the doctors and my fellow technicians is the best. It shows the schools you already have a base knowledge and didn't just hold the animal. If you can find a clinic that takes the time to explain the reason behind the diagnosis/treatment you will have an edge to others going in.

 

[DVMDream]

I wouldn't question job titles that a company has given to a position at all. You have no clue what other job titles are already in use, there could be veterinary assistants already and your job really is a kennel assistant in which you are pulled in to help with some more assistant-like tasks as needed if they are busy. Also, without knowing what state you are in, some states are much more stringent on veterinary titles than others so calling a position "veterinary assistant" could be frowned upon depending on the state, though this is more likely the case with the veterinary technician title.

I just wouldn't get into any conversations about titles, it isn't going to mean anything or change anything as far as experience obtained goes. You can easily describe you job duties on a resume, so getting tripped up over titles is unnecessary and could come off as bizarre to the clinic.

(Not saying you were going to question it, but since a few people have mentioned asking about the title, I just wouldn't touch that conversation with a 10 foot pole personally. At least not until you are in the position and really see what it is and what other job titles are present in the clinic.)