The job of a Vet Tech Bioresearcher, also called a Laboratory Animal Technician, is the same as other Veterinary Technicians, only that the job is aimed at helping to complete a research project. A Vet Technician sees to it that animals are well taken care of, monitors their health conditions, prepares laboratory materials and equipment and assists the certified Veterinarian in performing medical procedures on animals. It is also part of the job to maintain the laboratory and equipment, provide pre- and postoperative care to animals, perform euthanasia on seriously injured and ill animals and administer drugs and other forms of treatments. Here are the things you need to accomplish when learning how to become a Vet Tech Bioresearcher.
- Start taking extensive high school science and math subjects. If wanting to become a Veterinary Technician Bioresearcher, by all means start investing in your education as early as high school. Specifically, you should take extensive science and math subjects, such as biology, chemistry, physics, algebra and statistics, with concentration on laboratory work. Doing so will eventually help you in honing the laboratory skills you will need in your actual work as a Vet Tech Bioresearcher.
- Earn the corresponding degree. You can take either an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology with a coursework approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A four-year bachelor's degree, however, is offered only in a few schools. In fact, in 2004, there were about 15 colleges that offered this bachelor's degree.
During the training program, you will be exposed to clinical and laboratory environments and will work with live animals. Subjects like veterinary anatomy, ethics, medical terminology, clinical laboratory techniques and advanced animal nursing will be emphasized. - Obtain certification. A certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) is needed to practice Vet Tech in a bioresearch setting. To qualify for an exam, you must meet the educational requirements and have extensive experience in managing laboratory animals. Experience should be obtained from a research facility determined by AALAS. AALAS offers three certifications in accordance with the demonstrated competence of the examinee: Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), and Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG). ALAT is the lowest level of certification, while LATG is the highest.
- Develop the necessary skills. Because you will be working under the close supervision of a certified Veterinarian and other laboratory professionals, you must be particularly good at taking and following instructions, communicating with fellow workers and being a team player. A Veterinary Tech must also be professional in handling animals and have the ability to separate your personal feelings for the animals from your duties.
- Look for a job. When first looking for Vet Tech jobs, you will have to take entry-level positions, but if you already have considerable experience and have gained advanced education and training, expect that you will have a shorter period of job training. You might even be assigned to a higher position after demonstrating competency and expertise. Largely due to the growing need for research because of medical advances, there will be abundant jobs for a Vet Tech Bioresearcher or Laboratory Animal Technician.
Before enrolling in Veterinary Technician schools, it is wise to do volunteer work related to animal health care. This will give you a preview of what the job will require of you in the actual research setting.