Transcription
Veterinary Technician CareerExploration Curriculum1
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationEvery effort has been made to trace the ownership of copyrighted material and to make full acknowledgement ofits use. If errors or omissions have occurred, they will be corrected in subsequent editions, if notification issubmitted in writing to the publisher. 2022 Realityworks, Inc. All rights reserved.2709 Mondovi RoadEau Claire, WI 54701 USA800.830.1416 1.715.830.2040www.realityworks.com2
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationTable of ContentsCurriculum and Lesson Structure. 4Lesson One – Career as a Veterinary Technician . 5FOCUS: What is it? . 6LEARN:Would You Rather . 7REVIEW: Walking in Vet Tech Shoes . 9Lesson Two – Careers in Veterinary Clinical Pathology . 12FOCUS: What is Veterinary Pathology? . 13LEARN: Veterinary Pathology Infographic . 15REVIEW: Reflection . 17Lesson Three – Careers in Veterinary Nutrition . 19FOCUS: Career Paths – How Different Can It Be? . 20LEARN: Veterinary Nutritionist for a Day . 22REVIEW: Reflection . 24Lesson Four – Zoological and Exotic Animal Technician Careers. 25FOCUS: Occupation Profile . 27LEARN: A Day in the Life of . 29REVIEW: Reflection . 31Lesson Five – Veterinary Surgican Technicians . 32FOCUS: Educated Guesses . 34LEARN: Job Search 101 . 37REVIEW: Reflection . 393
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationCurriculum StructureThe Veterinary Technician Career Exploration curriculum is composed of the following lessons. Approximatelesson times are included.LessonTitleApproximate TimeOneCareers as a Veterinary Technician60 minutesTwoCareers in Veterinary Clinical Pathology80 minutesThreeCareers in Veterinary Nutrition80 minutesFourZoological and Exotic Animal Technician85 minutesFiveVeterinary Surgical Technician85 minutesTotal6.5 hoursLesson StructureEach lesson begins with a Lesson Overview, Lesson Objectives, and a Lesson at a Glance table which lists thelesson activities, materials required, suggested preparation steps, and approximate class time.Lesson SectionsThe actual lesson follows the overview, which will contain some of the sections described below.FOCUSEvery lesson begins with a FOCUS activity intended to capture participants’ attention. This may be in the formof a small or large class discussion, a game, a review of previous lesson information, or a demonstration. Duringthis activity, participants are introduced to the topic of the lesson.LEARNThe LEARN activity in each lesson varies in its presentation mode. It may be a slide presentation, groupactivity, or demonstration.REVIEWThe majority of lessons end with a REVIEW activity intended to briefly review the lesson’s key messages ormain points.4
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson One – Careers as a VeterinaryTechnicianLesson OverviewIn this lesson, participants will explore what it is like to be a vet technician. Participants will learn abouttypical job duties, pay, job outlook, and potential for positions relating to small and large animal veterinarytechnicians.Lesson ObjectivesAfter completing this lesson, participants will be able to: Understand the job duties of a veterinary technicianCompare and contrast the roles and requirements of veterinary technician professionalsDiscuss the impact and job outlook of veterinary technician professionalsLesson at a GlanceActivityMaterialsPreparationApproximateclass timeFOCUS What is a Veterinary Technician video1.Prepare to show the video5-10 minutesLEARN Career Collage handout Small and large animal vet tech video links1.Print/photocopy Career CollagehandoutPrepare to play videos20 minutesREVIEW Pint/copy the Act It Out handoutHave participants access the VeterinaryTechnician Career Skit Rubric25-45 minutesAct It Out handoutVeterinary Technician Career Skit RubricProps for skitsTimer2.1.2.5
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson One – Careers as a Veterinary TechnicianFOCUS: What is it?5-10 minutesPurpose:Understanding the definition of a vet tech is the firststep here. Participants will have a greaterunderstanding of what a vet tech does on the job.Materials: “What is a Veterinary Technician?” video linkFacilitation Steps:1. Share these statistics with the participants: There are over 114,400 jobs available as vettechs Veterinary technologists and techniciansmust complete a postsecondary program inveterinary technology. Technologistsusually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree,and technicians need a 2-year associatedegree. Typically, both technologists andtechnicians must take a credentialing examand become registered, licensed, orcertified, depending on the requirements ofthe state in which they work.about being vet tech. Also have them identifywhat they would like to learn.4. Play the “What is a Veterinary Technician?”video link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v z5Op43B8RM5. The playing time is less than four minutes. Inlieu of this link, other video clips may besearched for on YouTube using keywords like“veterinary technician careers.”6. Return to your K-W-L chart. Ask forvolunteers to fill in the column “L” identifyingwhat they have learned by watching the videoclips you have shared.2. Ask participants for what they think are thebenefits of working as a vet tech. Explain thatthey are going to watch a short video thatintroduces them to what a veterinary technicianis.3. On a white board make a K-W-L chart. Ask forparticipants to identify what they already know6
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson One – Careers as a Veterinary TechnicianLEARN: Would You Rather 20 minutesPurpose:Participants will reflect on two different career pathsas a vet tech. They will research to assess the subtledifferences between the two pathsMaterials: Career Collage handoutSmall and large animal vet tech video linksFacilitation Steps:1. Give participants the Career Collage handout.Ask participants what they think a careercollage might look like for either of the twopaths given.3. Explain to participants that they will have aboutfifteen minutes to research the career and takesome notes.4. Debrief as a class. Ask participants to identifywhich path they preferred. Was there a bigdifference in the number of participantschoosing one over the other? Why or why not?5. Share these video links on each type of vet techor share some of your own. Career Profile:Small Animal Vet Techhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v GI3XBjr0grMLarge Animal Veterinary Technicianhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v qGx0KRleobM2. Explain that each participant will choose one ofthe vet tech career paths listed.7
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationCareer CollageDirections: Choose one of the two careers listed below. Use the space provided to research keyfacts about the career. Collect as much information as possibleVet Tech Career Options: Small Animal Vet Tech or Large Animal Vet TechMain Duties:Required Training:Job Outlook:Other:Which career option would you choose (small or large animal vet tech) and why?8
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson One – Careers as a Veterinary TechnicianREVIEW: Walking in Vet Tech Shoes 25-45 minutesPurpose:The purpose of this activity is to have participantswalk in the shoes of a veterinary technician throughrole play.Materials: Act It Out handoutVeterinary Technician Career Skit RubricProps for skitsTimer3. After participants have finished preparing theirskits, have each group act it out.4. Following each skit, discuss that group sspecific scenario. Allow participants to askquestions about that career scenario to thosegroup members.Facilitation Steps:1. Divide the class into six small groups. Giveeach group one of the Act It Out handouts.Explain to participants that they should use theinformation on the handout and their ownresearch to create a short skit about A Day inthe Life of a Vet Tech. Have participantsaccess the Veterinary Technician Career SkitRubric so they understand what they will beheld accountable for.2. Supervise participants as they prepare theirskits. Provide help with finding research onlineif they have additional questions that are notdetailed on the Act It Out handout. Encouragethem to outline scenarios in the skit that show atrue reflection of the job.9
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationAct It OutVeterinary TechnicianMajor responsibilities: Performing an initial examination of the animal.Taking vital signs, drawing blood, and gathering medical histories.Providing emergency first aid.Collecting specimens.Assisting in research.Performing laboratory procedures.Preparing animals and equipment for surgical procedures.Administering medications and vaccines prescribed by a veterinarian.Taking and processing x-rays.Educating animal ownersAdd more in the space below:10
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationVeterinary Technician Career SkitRubricExcellentGoodAverageNeeds Improvement4 points3 points2 points1 pointAccuracyAll information isaccurateAlmost allinformation isaccurateMost informationaccurateVery littleinformation isaccurateRoleExcellentteamwork in skitpresentation –responsibility isevenly sharedGood teamworkin presentationbut one personhad a bit moreresponsibilityFair teamworkwith one memberresponsible formost of thepresentationLittle or no teamworkexhibitedKnowledge The skit shows athoroughunderstanding ofall jobresponsibilitiesThe skit shows aclearunderstanding ofjobresponsibilitiesThe skit showsonly a partialunderstanding ofthe jobresponsibilitiesThe skit does notreflect knowledge ofthe jobresponsibilitiesCreativityUsed severalprops and addedseveral visuals likephotos oranimationsUsed one propand one visualeffectUsed a prop orvisual effectUsed no props orvisual effectsRequiredElementsThe scenario inthe skit isappropriate forthe jobThe scenario forthe skit is mostlyappropriate forthe jobHalf of the skitscenario does notapply to the jobThe scenario is offthe mark entirely20 points 100%TotalTotal15 points 75%10 points 50%11
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Two – Careers in Veterinary ClinicalPathologyLesson OverviewIn this lesson, participants will explore a career in vet clinical pathology. Participants will learn about typicaljob duties, pay, job outlook and potential relating to this career area.Lesson ObjectivesAfter completing this lesson, participants will be able to: Identify what veterinary clinical pathologists doCompare and contrast the roles and requirements of veterinary clinical pathologists vs. clinical pathology forhuman patientsDiscuss the impact of vet clinical pathology professionalsLesson at a GlanceActivityMaterialsPreparationApproximateclass timeFOCUS Videos of veterinary clinical pathology A Day in the Life of a Veterinary ClinicalPathologist handout1.Print/photocopy the A Day in the Lifeof a Veterinary clinical Pathologisthandout10-15 minutesLEARN Creating an Infographic: What's theVeterinary Pathology Buzz? handout Plain white paper Markers Internet access1.Have participants access the Creatingan Infographic: What’s the VeterinaryPathology Buzz?Model infographic sample websites.45 minutes 1.Print/photocopy the VeterinaryPathology Is/Is Not the Career Fieldfor Me20 minutesREVIEW Veterinary Pathology Is/Is Not the CareerField for MeInfographics created and posted byparticipants in the Learn portion of thelesson2.12
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Two – Careers in Veterinary Clinical PathologyFOCUS: What is Veterinary Pathology?10-15 minutesPurpose:Veterinary pathology underpins all aspects ofclinical disease management in animals. . Clinicalpathologists study changes in the chemical make-upof body fluids to diagnose and monitor diseases, forexample, blood sugar levels in diabetes andabnormal cells in blood or biopsy samples.Participants gain an overview of what this careerentails.Materials: Videos of veterinary clinical pathologyA Day in the Life of a Veterinary ClinicalPathologist handouthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v xRAP8n6Z21YK-State Vet Med Virtual Tour - ClinicalPathology videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v 2z8bWQMKU04Clinical Pathology videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v VQpdW8Btkk4Have them complete the third columnidentifying what they have learned in the videoclips.Facilitation Steps:1. Share these statistics with the participants:The Bureau of Labor Statistics includesveterinary pathologists in its data forveterinarians in general. Veterinary pathologistsworking in industrial fields, especially inpharmaceutical drug development, tend to earntop dollar. The incomes for veterinarians in2018 were:Median Annual Salary: 93,830 ( 45.10/hour)Top 10% Annual Salary: More than 162,450( 78.10/hour)Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than 56,540( 27.18/hour)According to the BLS, the veterinary industryshould experience growth of about 19%between 2016 and 2026.2. Ask participants what they think a typical day islike in the life of a veterinary clinicalpathologist. Have participants access the A Dayin the Life of a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist.Have them complete the column about whatthey already know and what they would like toknow about a veterinary pathologist career.3. Play one or all of the following videos:Career Profiles: Veterinary Pathologist video13
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationA Day in the Life of a VeterinaryClinical PathologistDirections: Identify what you already know about being a clinical pathologist, what you want toknow and what you have learned during the lesson.KnowWant to KnowLearned14
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Two – Careers in Veterinary Clinical PathologyLEARN: Veterinary Pathology Infographic45 minutesPurpose:The purpose of this activity is to have participantsbetter understand what a veterinary pathologistdoes.Materials: 4. Have participants print and post theirinfographics in a conspicuous location for useduring the Reflection part of the lesson. Allowtime for participants to view infographicscreated by their peers.Creating an Infographic: What's the VeterinaryPathology Buzz? handoutPlain white paperMarkersInternet accessFacilitation Steps:1. Give participants the Creating an Infographic:What’s the Veterinary Pathology Buzz. Explainto participants that they will make a digitalinfographic about this career.2. Share a sample infographic so they understandthe look and feel of a typical vets.nysvms.org/events/publications/infographic3. Encourage participants to make sure theirinfographics include the required information.Using color, images, and a unique layout willmake the infographic visually appealing forothers.15
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationCreating an Infographic: What's theVeterinary Pathology Buzz?What is an infographic?An infographic is a collection of pictures, charts, and text that gives an easy-to-understandoverview of a topic.As you prepare to make your infographic digitally, use the Internet to research thefollowing information: Career in veterinary clinical pathology Education requirements Primary duties/ responsibilities Professional organizations Work environmentOther requirements: At least one image or chart Neatness Use of some color Creative layout Large enough fonts ease of reading information16
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Two – Careers in Veterinary Clinical PathologyREVIEW: Reflection20 minutesPurpose:Participants will reflect on a career in veterinarypathology. They will conduct a gallery walk toreflect on key information about this career path.Materials: Veterinary Pathology Is/Is Not the Career Fieldfor MeInfographics created and posted by participantsin the Learn portion of the lessonFacilitation Steps:1. Have participants access the VeterinaryPathology Is/Is Not the Career Field for Me.2. . As participants walk through the gallery andlook at different participants infographics, theywill respond to facts they observe on theinfographic. Based on the number ofparticipants/infographics to review, provideabout 15 minutes for this activity.3. Once participants have completed VeterinaryPathology Is/Is Not the Career Field for Me,provide an opportunity for them to discuss whatthey recorded in each section.4. Allow participants to share their thoughts abouta career in this field before wrapping up thislesson. Specific questions might include: Whatwould you enjoy? What would you find themost challenging?17
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationVeterinary Pathology Is/Is Not theCareer Field for MeDirections: Record information from the infographics in the spaces provided. Circle in the title if acareer in veterinary pathology is or is not for you.This is interesting!Shocking Info?!?!?!Is this for Real?I want to know more about this:This sounds like something Iwould like:I am not too sure about this:I have a question:I want to remember this:Other (you choose):18
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Three – Careers in Veterinary NutritionLesson OverviewA board-certified veterinary nutritionist is a specialist that is uniquely trained in the nutritional management ofboth healthy animals and those with one or more diseases. Nutrition is critically important to maintain optimalhealth and ensure optimal performance, as well as to manage the symptoms and progression of specificdiseases. This lesson will provide a thorough introduction to this career opportunity.Lesson ObjectivesAfter completing this lesson, participants will be able to: Identify careers related to veterinary nutritionCompare and contrast the roles and requirements of careers in private pet food companies, pharmaceuticals,and public zoos.Discuss the impact of veterinary nutrition professionalsLesson at a GlanceActivityMaterialsPreparationApproximateclass timeFOCUS Veterinary nutrition video links Pros and Cons handout1.Print/photocopy the Pros and Conshandout15 minutesLEARN Veterinary Nutritionist for a Day handout Internet access1.Print/photocopy the VeterinaryNutritionist for a Day handout45 minutesREVIEW Veterinary Nutritionist Investigation Stationhandout Additional video links1.Print/photocopy the VeterinaryNutritionist Investigation Stationhandout20 minutes19
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Three – Careers in Veterinary NutritionFOCUS: Career Paths – How Different Can ItBe?15 minutesPurpose:Veterinary nutritionists can work in private pet foodcompanies, pharmaceutical companies and in publiczoos. Participants gain an overview of careers ineach pathways.Materials: Veterinary nutrition video linksPros and Cons handoutFacilitation Steps:1. Share these statistics with the participants:The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau ofLabor Statistics (BLS) predicts that jobs foragricultural and food scientists, a category inwhich veterinary nutritionists are included, willincrease by six percent from 2019 to 2029,faster than the average expected increase forother occupations. The top industries currentlyemploying animal scientists are: ManufacturingWholesale tradeProfessional, scientific and technicalservicesManagement of companies and enterprisesEducational servicesGovernment4. Play one or all of the following videos:Nutritionist Careers in Vet Med Interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v n7vTQngnlqIHow to Become an Animal Nutritionist stepby-step guidehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v 5mAm6Hk5gaYRaw Pet Food - The Facts with Dr. MarthaCline, Veterinary Nutritionisthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v VIuHYdZj3t0Do you want to be an Animal Nutritionist?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v XvW0jgu2l-05. After the video is done, go through the Pros &Cons handout and ask participants to choosetwo of the veterinary nutrition pathways theyhave learned about. If participants need to domore research about the pathways they havechosen, allow for time.Salaries for Veterinary NutritionistsAccording to Salary.com, the average salary foran animal nutritionist as of 2020 is in the rangeof 65,519 to 82,420. Salary is dependentupon location, job level, experience, educationand skills.2. Ask participants how they think working in acompany like pet food or pharmaceuticalsdifferent from working in a place like a zoo.3. Give participants the Pros & Cons handout.20
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationPros & Cons:Veterinary Nutritionist Career PathsDirections: Record pros and cons for two career paths in the respective spaces.Path:Pros:Cons:Path:Pros:Cons:Lesson Three – Careers in Veterinary Nutrition21
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLEARN: Veterinary Nutritionist for a Day45 minutesPurpose:The purpose of this activity is to have participantsunderstand what it is like to work as a veterinarynutritionist.5. Divide participants into groups of four and havethem discuss their detailed journal entries.Materials: Veterinary Nutritionist for a Day handoutInternet accessFacilitation Steps:1. Share the following interview with nist/And share this video on being an animalnutritionisthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v 3QM3Dlushfg2. Give participants the Veterinary Nutritionist fora Day handout.3. Explain to participants that using the internetand their knowledge, they will create a detailedjournal for what their day might be like on thejob as a nutritionist.4. Encourage participants to make sure theirdetailed journal entries contain accurateinformation for that occupation.22
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationVeterinary Nutritionist for a DayUse the space provided to record the details of your day as a vet nutritionist. Use personalknowledge and the Internet information to make your journal sound as interesting and accurateas possible.TimeActivity/Job DutyMy Reaction23
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Three – Careers in Veterinary NutritionREVIEW: Reflection20 minutesPurpose:Participants will reflect on what a career in vetnutrition would be like. They will complete a shortresearch project to learn more about this career.Materials: Veterinary Nutritionist Investigation Stationhandout Additional video linksFacilitation Steps:1. Give participants the Veterinary NutritionistInvestigation Station handout.2. Instruct participants to complete a shortresearch project to learn more about a career insecondary school.3. Once participants have completed theVeterinary Nutritionist Investigation Stationhandout, have them discuss what they recordedin each section.4. Allow participants to share their thoughts abouta career in this area before wrapping up thislesson. Specific questions can be: What wouldyou find most interesting? What would be themost challenging for you?5. If time allows, share additional videos oncareers in general animal nutrition. Careers inAnimal Systems - What Does a NutritionistDo?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v FxvaMZ3js-oMeet an Animal Nutritionisthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v 1NNVQCLoxJc24
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationVeterinary NutritionistInvestigation StationDirections: Use the Internet to research more about a career as a vet nutritionist.Title:Job Description (list at least 3 requirements):1.2.3.4.5.Required Training:Job Outlook - What Does the Future LookLike?25
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Four – Zoological and Exotic AnimalTechnician CareersLesson OverviewZoo veterinary technicians provide support to veterinarians who work at zoos. They assist in providing medicalcare to animals across many species, including exotic animals. The animals they work with may range fromvery small to very large, and they're usually found in the wild. Participants will participate in a variety ofactivities to better understand the careers that fall into this category.Lesson ObjectivesAfter completing this lesson, participants will be able to: Identify careers as zoological and exotic animal techniciansCompare and contrast the roles and requirements of zoo veterinary technicians vs. clinical veterinarytechniciansDiscuss the impact of zoological and exotic animal techniciansLesson at a GlanceActivityMaterialsFOCUS LEARNREVIEWPreparationApproximateclass time1. Print/photocopy the Occupation Profilehandout15-20 minutes A Day in the Life of handout Occupational Profile handout Markers2. Print/photocopy the A Day in the Lifehandout45 minutes Why Do They Matter? handout1. Give participants the Why Do TheyMatter? handout10 minutesZoo or exotic vet tech video linksOccupation Profile26
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Four – Zoological and Exotic Animal Technician CareersFOCUS: Occupation Profile15-20 minutesPurpose:Zoological and exotic animal technician careers areunique. To better understand the careers that fallinto this category, let’s complete the OccupationProfile.Materials: Zoo or exotic vet tech video linksOccupation Profile handoutFacilitation Steps:1. Share these statistics with the participants:Vet tech careers are predicted to increase in thecoming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS 2021) shows that jobs in veterinarytechnology will increase 16 percent between2019 and 2029, which is much faster than thenational average for all occupations at 4percent. In the same decade, an estimated18,300 new positions will be needed in animalcare facilities across the nation.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v xAutGpMHxwBehind the scenes with the vet techs at the NCZoohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v IcpMHOho- gOn the road to become a Zoo Vet Techhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v lcYIBXPd3PANational Zookeeper Week - Meet our VetAssistanthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v m71Ey6dG5To3. After participants complete the OccupationProfile handout, have them share their answers.Explain to participants that they will use theirOccupation Profile handout in the Learnportion of the lesson.While the training pathways are similar, zoo vettechs learn unique skills to care for endangeredanimals in captivity rather than household pets.According to the website The Balance Careers(2020), zoo vet techs assist zoo veterinarians incaring for the health of tiny and enormousanimals. Daily zoo vet tech responsibilitiesinclude assisting with general healthexaminations, collecting samples, runningdiagnostic lab tests, preparing surgical sites,changing bandages, inserting catheters, takingradiographs, administering fluids, fillingprescriptions, and giving intravenous orintramuscular injections.2. Give participants the Occupation Profilehandout. They should complete the informationabout this career highlighted in the videos orresearch the information on their own.2. Play these videos:A Day in the Life on an Exotic Vet Tech27
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationOccupation Profile -Zoological and Exotic Animal Technician CareersJob Title:Job Outlook:Typical Duties:Salary:Required Education:28
Veterinary Technician Career ExplorationLesson Four – Zoological and Exotic Animal Technician CareersLEARN: A Day in the Life of 45 minutesPurpose:The purpose of this activity is to have participantsbetter understand what a typical day is like in thelife of a vet technician in a zoo or working withexotic animals.Materials: A Day in the Life of handoutOccupational Profile handoutMarkersFacilitation Steps:1. Give participants the A Day in the Life ofhandout4. Have participants use their completedOccupational Profile handouts to create acomic strip that combines info about a typicalday for zoo or exotic animal technicians.5. Have participants create their comic strip usingthe A Day in
A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist handout 1. Print/photocopy the A Day in the Life of a Veterinary clinical Pathologist handout 10-15 minutes LEARN Creating an Infographic: What's the Veterinary Pathology Buzz? handout Plain white paper Markers Internet acces s 1. Have participants access the Creating
