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Veterinary technicians play an important role in diagnosing and treating adverse medical conditions in animals. Also known simply as techs, they are paraveterinary workers who assist licensed veterinarians. From preparing animals for surgery to taking X-rays and providing emergency treatment, veterinary technicians perform a wide variety of tasks.

If you’re thinking about becoming a veterinary technician, though, you might be wondering whether an internship is worth completing. Many veterinary clinics have internship programs for veterinary technicians. While it can take a while a complete, a veterinary technician internship can prove worthwhile for several reasons.

What Is a Veterinary Technician Internship?

To become a veterinary technician, you’ll have to earn an associate’s degree in veterinary technology. Associate’s degree programs, of course, are two to three years long. Once you’ve earned an associate’s degree in veterinary technology — as well as obtained your license to practice as a veterinary technician — you can seek an internship. A veterinary technician internship is a one-year program at a veterinary clinic that allows you to assist other veterinarians while working as a veterinary technician.

Veterinary Technician Internship: What to Expect

Veterinary technician internships are completed at veterinary clinics. You can’t complete them at a school or college. Rather, you’ll have to find a veterinary clinic that offers veterinary technician internships. Upon enrolling in a veterinary technician internship, you’ll be required to assist the clinic’s veterinarians.

Most veterinary technician internship programs are one-year long. During this time, you’ll have to show up at the veterinary clinic to provide assistance. As an intern, you won’t be given free rein. Instead, the veterinary clinic will typically require you to work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Advantages of Completing a Veterinary Technician Internship

Why should you complete a veterinary technician internship exactly? Like with other types of internship programs, a veterinary technician internship is a form of extended education. You’ll still have to complete a veterinary technology program. After earning an associate’s degree in veterinary technology, though, you can enroll in a veterinary technician internship. It will extend your education so that you can learn more about the veterinary technician profession and what it entitles.

You’ll typically get paid when working as an intern. Most veterinary technician internships are paid programs. The same can’t be said for externships. Externships are typically not paid. During an externship, you’ll have to shadow licensed veterinarians without any monetary compensation.

Another advantage of completing a veterinary technician internship is job placement. You’ll have an easier time landing a job as a veterinary technician if you complete an internship. Assuming you put your best foot forward, the clinic where you completed the internship may hire you as a veterinary technician. Alternatively, you can find a job at a different veterinary clinic. When applying for jobs as a veterinary technician, you can mention your internship. Employers will be more likely to hire you knowing that you’ve completed a veterinary technician internship and, thus, have some hands-on experience under your belt.

Disadvantages of Completing a Veterinary Technician Internship

You aren’t required to complete a veterinary technician internship. Different states have their own requirements for veterinary technicians. They typically require veterinary technicians to earn an associate’s degree in veterinary technology, and they require veterinary technicians to obtain a license. Nonetheless, states don’t require veterinary technicians to complete an internship. An internship is an optional form of extended education and training.

As previously mentioned, you’ll get paid during a veterinary technician internship. You won’t, however, earn a full salary. Interns almost always get paid less than their regular-working counterparts. If you’re looking to earn a full salary, you may want to skip an internship.

Tips on Finding a Veterinary Technician Internship

To enroll in a veterinary technician internship, you’ll have to find a local veterinary clinic that offers them. There are several ways to find veterinary clinics that offer veterinary technician internships. You can contact the school from which you earned your associate’s degree in veterinary technology. Most schools with veterinary-related programs offer internship assistance. They can connect you to a veterinary clinic in your area that accepts interns.

You can also browse classified ads to find veterinary clinics that offer internships for veterinary technicians. Many clinics use classified ads to attract internships. They’ll post listings seeking interns for veterinary technicians, veterinarians or other professions. By browsing through these classified ads, you may be able to secure a veterinary technician internship.

Of course, you can always call the veterinary clinics in your area to inquire about their internship programs. There are roughly 30,000 veterinary clinics in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). With so many veterinary clinics, you shouldn’t have trouble finding one near your home or place of residence. Just call the veterinary clinics in your area to see if they offer internships for veterinary technicians.