Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Technician
What veterinary technicians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Admit surgical patients and take pre-op vitals. From there, the day usually includes take patient histories and vital signs, draw blood and run lab tests, and take radiographs. Many work full-time with evening, weekend and overnight shifts at emergency hospitals.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a veterinary technician working full time.
- Admit surgical patients and take pre-op vitals.
- Place IV catheters and induce anesthesia with the veterinarian.
- Monitor anesthesia during a spay surgery.
- Perform a dental cleaning and take dental X-rays.
- Run bloodwork and urinalysis in the in-house lab.
- Restrain a nervous dog for vaccines.
- Discharge patients and explain home care.
Where veterinary technicians work
Vet techs work in animal hospitals, clinics, shelters and labs. The work involves lifting animals, bites and scratches, and emotionally difficult cases.
Hours and schedule
Many work full-time with evening, weekend and overnight shifts at emergency hospitals.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Take patient histories and vital signs
- Draw blood and run lab tests
- Take radiographs
- Place IV catheters and give medications as directed
- Monitor anesthesia and assist in surgery
- Perform dental cleanings
- Educate pet owners
Tools you’ll use every day
- Anesthesia machines and monitors
- Digital radiography
- In-house lab analyzers
- Dental equipment
- Microscopes
- Practice management software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Work with animals every day
- Growing demand
- Hands-on medical work
- Associate degree path
What’s hard
- Pay can be modest
- Bites, scratches and lifting
- Euthanasia and emotional cases
- Weekend and overnight shifts
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love animals
- I’m comfortable with medical procedures
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I can handle emotional cases
- I like teamwork
- I want a two-year degree path
Not sure? Take the free Veterinary Technician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use proper restraint to prevent bites
- Wear radiation protection
- Follow anesthetic gas safety
- Lift animals with help