Hi, I worked as a vet tech for a long time so here goes my advise:
Look closely into the school, make sure it's an accredited program that will allow/require you to take your state's board exam for CVT licencing. Also, keep in mind, this is a profession where you have to complete continuing education credits on a regular basis to keep your licence current.
As far as pay and health benefits - here's the thing, if you are going to work for a small vet practice, you're probably not going to make very much (the average here in NE PA is about $25,000 /yr. at
full time) and not all small business owners offer health benefits. If you want to make better money and get insurance, you'll most likely have to work for a large practice, such as an emergency clinic or specialist or muti-doctor clinic. It stinks and it's not fair because techs work super hard and most of the time (in my area anyway) aren't properly compensated IMHO. You can "specialize" though too, which would be a good way to earn more and get in with a larger facility. You would just go through a short program after your licencing as CE credits.
Vet techs have to have tough skin and a tough stomach too. You can't be afraid if a dog wants to bite you, if the vet is stressed and yells at you, and obviously it can be very gross lol. It's a tough job but a very rewarding one if you're up to the challenge.
It a really great job, but it's definatly not for everyone. My advise to you would be, see if you can find a place that will let you "shadow" a tech for a day or two and if you can, in more than one practice. School is pretty expensive (mine was about $15,000) and takes 2 years, so it's a commitment you want to make sure you're really passionate about. You have to be good at muti-tasking too
. Depending on where you work, the hours can sometimes run long (for emergencies if the place takes them), so I wouldn't necessarily consider it a part-time job (especially if you need to make decent money).
I really don't mean to sound negative here (I LOVED working as a tech, the job and hours were just too demanding once my son was born).
If you consider all this and do some shadowing and still want to do it - then by all means go for it
it's a wonderfull profession for the right person
but not necessarily a high paying one
