How to Be Livestock Veterinary Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 13, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of a Livestock Veterinary Technician is essential to the well-being of livestock, as their primary duty is to provide medical care to animals. This includes administering treatments, collecting samples for diagnostic testing, providing vaccinations, and performing minor surgical procedures. By doing so, veterinary technicians help to prevent diseases and ensure the health of the animals, which can lead to increased productivity and profitability for livestock owners. Additionally, veterinary technicians provide education and guidance to livestock owners in proper animal husbandry, nutrition, and disease prevention, which can further help to reduce animal health risks and improve overall health outcomes.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. In order to become a livestock veterinary technician, it is important to have a high school education or equivalent.
Enroll in a college or university that offers a veterinarian technology program. Vet techs are not required to be licensed in the U. S. but most states have approved vet tech programs and certifications.
Take classes in veterinary science, animal anatomy, physiology, and behavior, and animal husbandry. The classes should also include instruction on medical terminology, veterinary medical ethics, and veterinary office procedures.
Take courses in animal nutrition, livestock nutrition, and herd health management. These courses are essential for understanding how to care for livestock and how to administer preventative care programs.
Participate in an internship or externship with a local veterinarian or livestock operation. This experience will help you gain hands-on experience with livestock and increase your knowledge of the industry.
Obtain certification as a Livestock Veterinary Technician from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This certification is not required to practice as a livestock vet tech but it does demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the profession.
Seek employment at a farm, ranch, or veterinary clinic that specializes in livestock care. You can also look for jobs with state or federal agencies that specialize in livestock care and disease control.
Stay current on all developments in the field of animal health and safety by attending conferences, reading professional publications, and joining professional organizations.

Becoming a reliable and qualified livestock veterinary technician requires dedication and hard work. Earning an associate degree in veterinary technology from an accredited college or university is a key step in the process. Once the educational requirements are met, individuals can apply for certification by taking the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

Passing the VTNE is required to become a certified veterinary technician in most states. After certification, individuals can gain experience in the field by working in an animal hospital or veterinary clinic. As they gain more experience, they will have the knowledge and skills necessary to become a reliable and qualified livestock veterinary technician.

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Job Description

Perform routine physical examinations and monitor the health of livestock.
Administer vaccines, medications, and other treatments to livestock.
Collect and analyze blood, urine, and fecal samples to diagnose diseases and health issues.
Prescribe and dispense medications and other treatments to animals.
Provide technical advice and support to livestock owners and producers.
Monitor animal nutrition and exercise programs.
Provide emergency medical treatment for sick or injured livestock.
Prepare reports on animal health status and treatment plans.
Perform minor surgeries, such as castrations, dehorning, and ear tagging.
Educate owners and producers on animal husbandry and health care practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of livestock anatomy and physiology
Knowledge of livestock medical treatments
Ability to administer medications and record treatments
Ability to perform basic physical exams on animals
Knowledge of animal husbandry practices
Knowledge of herd health management
Ability to diagnose and treat common livestock diseases
Knowledge of animal nutrition and feed formulation
Ability to perform minor surgical procedures
Ability to take and interpret laboratory samples
Ability to identify and document abnormal behavior
Basic computer skills, including the use of veterinary software programs
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Excellent communication skills and customer service
Knowledge of safety protocols and biohazard prevention.

As a Livestock Veterinary Technician, the most important skill to possess is attention to detail. This involves being able to identify and diagnose problems with an animal accurately and quickly. It also requires the ability to think critically and use problem-solving skills to come up with the best possible treatment plan.

A good understanding of animal anatomy and physiology is also essential, as it provides the technician with the knowledge to properly care for animals. strong communication skills are necessary in order to effectively explain medical conditions and instructions to owners and other staff members. Having a passion for animal care and welfare, as well as the ability to stay calm in stressful situations, are also key attributes of successful livestock veterinary technicians.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with livestock veterinary care?
How would you handle a difficult situation involving a patient and their owner?
What techniques do you use to ensure proper animal handling?
What challenges have you faced in your previous livestock veterinary technician positions?
How do you stay organized when working with multiple animals at a time?
What do you think sets you apart from other livestock veterinary technicians?
How would you handle emergency situations or medical emergencies involving livestock?
What methods do you use to keep up with the latest treatments and procedures for livestock?
How do you handle stressful situations or environments?
Describe a successful livestock veterinary technician experience you had in the past.

Common Tools in Industry

Stethoscope. Used to listen to animal heartbeats and breathing (eg: auscultation).
Veterinary Surgical Instruments. Used to perform surgery on animals (eg: scalpel, forceps, clamps).
Vaccines. Used to protect animals from diseases (eg: rabies, distemper, parvovirus).
Thermometer. Used to measure animal body temperature (eg: digital thermometers).
Ultrasound Machine. Used to assess internal organs and soft tissue (eg: abdominal ultrasound).
Blood Collection Kit. Used to collect sample of animal blood for laboratory testing (eg: syringes, needles).
Digital X-Ray Machine. Used to produce radiographs of animals (eg: dental x-ray).
Microscope. Used to view microscopic organisms and assess cells (eg: compound microscope).
Syringes and Needles. Used to administer medications and vaccines (eg: insulin syringe).
Fluid Therapy Equipment. Used to provide intravenous and subcutaneous fluids (eg: IV catheter).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP)
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM)
Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC)
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)
American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP)
American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (AVES)

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Common Important Terms

Animal Husbandry. The practice of breeding, raising, and caring for livestock and other animals.
Animal Health. The science of preventing and treating diseases in animals.
Animal Nutrition. The science of providing the correct diet for animals to ensure their health and well-being.
Veterinary Medicine. The medical care of animals, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of animal diseases.
Veterinary Diagnostics. Techniques used to determine the cause and nature of animal health problems.
Veterinary Pharmacology. The study of drugs used to treat diseases in animals.
Veterinary Surgery. The surgical techniques used to diagnose and treat animal diseases.
Veterinary Pathology. The study of the causes, effects, and treatments of animal diseases.
Veterinary Reproduction. The study of breeding, reproduction, and management of animal reproductive systems.
Animal Behavior. The study of how animals act and interact with their environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What educational requirements are required to be a Livestock Veterinary Technician?

Most veterinary technicians need an associate degree from an accredited veterinary technology program. A minimum of two years of post-secondary education is typically required, which includes classes in animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, laboratory procedures and medical ethics.

What are the duties of a Livestock Veterinary Technician?

Livestock Veterinary Technicians are responsible for assisting and supporting veterinarians in the examination and treatment of livestock and other animals. Duties may include drawing blood samples, preparing lab tests, adminstering injections and medications, collecting tissue samples for laboratory analysis, and providing supportive care for animals during recovery.

What type of salary can a Livestock Veterinary Technician expect to earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Veterinary Technicians was $34,420 in May 2019.

What skills are important for a Livestock Veterinary Technician?

Livestock Veterinary Technicians must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as technical skills related to animal health care. Other important skills include problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, organization and time management.

What is the job outlook for Livestock Veterinary Technicians?

The job outlook for Veterinary Technicians is expected to grow by 19% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. This growth is due to the rising demand for veterinary services as a result of increased pet ownership and improved animal health care technology.